Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Department

Includes References (sheets 63-67)

ABSTRACT
The beautiful environment of the Yenegoa area of Nigeria delta region, Nigeria has been spoiled due to oil spills by the poor management and activities of oil industries operating in this region. These spills continue to wreak havoc on this delicate ecosystem of Yenegoa, the extraction and transportation of petroleum acts as the cornerstone for the Nigerian economy however this prosperity has come at a substantial cost to both the locals and the surrounding environment. This thesis is focused on the relationship between the oil spill and the ecosystem of the region in terms of environmental degradation, human health implications and socioeconomic Impacts. The broad objective of the study was to assess the environmental impact of oil spills in the Niger Delta (Nigeria) and to assess the management system of oil spills in the area by the concerned authorities. The specific objectives of the study were to look into the factors responsible for the spillages as well as their impacts on the residents of the Yenogoa area and also, to assess the management of oil spillages to provide recommendations for the improvement of oil spillage management system of the
region. The study adopted a descriptive survey of the locals of this region on the oil spillage
issue. The study used descriptive statistics to analyze the data collected with the aid of
SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows version 23. The study found that the people of Yenegoa have experienced the negative impact of oil spill on their community (in general), oil spill has negatively impacted humans in terms of their health, and environment in that the people of the region have been subjected to land and water pollution, and lastly, socioeconomics of the region in terms of finance and style of living. Furthermore, the study found that the government’s actions towards oil spillage are not appropriate and timely to stop oil spillage when it occurs and there is no adequate compensation for this issue. Conclusively, the region's oil spillages are not being managed well enough, and
therefore, management of oil spills in the region is below average. This is an indication
that oil spillage management in the area needs massive improvement to save the locals
as well as the environment of the Niger Delta region.
Keywords: Crude Oil, Legal Framework, Oil Spills, Pollution, Yenegoa.