Nigeria is considering new legislation to hit oil firms with hefty fines for spills that could cost operators tens of millions of pounds a year.
The proposed laws, which could come into effect later by the end of the year, would strengthen the powers of the country’s oil regulator.
The legislation comes just days after Anglo-Dutch major Shell was accused of lying about the cause and amount of pollution spills had caused in the Niger Delta by human rights group Amnesty International.
Operators would face fines of more than £800 for each barrel of oil spilled onshore or in coastal waters, while offshore spills would be fined up to £690 a barrel. Companies could also be forced to shut down their operations by the regulator, and would be required to report spills within a day or face heavy fines.
“Only if polluting the environment becomes more costly than cleaning it up will the situation change for the better,” said Bukola Saraki, head of Nigeria’s environment board.
Oil theft has reported by majors as a significant problem in the country, with Shell claiming between 100,000 and 200,000 barrels a day equivalent are lost to thieves.
Last month the Trans Niger pipeline was closed just 10 days after being reopened following a series of leaks blamed on thieves.