An attack on a pipeline at an oilfield operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), at Ogbembiri in Southern Ijaw Area of Bayelsa has compelled the oil firm to shut production on the line.

The oil firm has subsequently deferred its production to the tune of 1,000 barrels of oil equivalent of its equity share of production in the field run with the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a joint venture.

The attack by unidentified gunmen reportedly occurredon Sundaynight around9pm.

An Eni spokesperson confirmed the development on Wednesday in an e-mail statement. He said some 1,000 barrels of oil equivalent of Eni’s equity share of production was affected.

“I can confirm the sabotage to that pipeline. The production impacted is approx 1kboed Eni’s equity,” the spokesperson who prefers not to be named stated.

Sources at the outfield disclosed that the line has been blown up at least 13 times in the last one month.

Eni, parent company of NAOC, could not estimate how long it will take to fix the damaged gas pipeline.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the community at about9:00pm, on May 16 traced the pipeline and ruptured it at a point it was previously repaired after the last attack.

The pipeline is a major gas supply pipelines to power plants passing through Tumor community in Bomadi, Delta; Ogbuasiri in Ekeremor and Ogbembiri in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa.

•Photo shows Niger Delta militants.