Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary knew its Trans-Niger pipeline had been leaking crude for years but failed to act, according to internal documents obtained by this newsroom. The pipeline, which runs through the Niger Delta, has been blamed for widespread pollution affecting thousands of villagers. Sources confirm the documents show Shell staff flagged corrosion risks as early as 2019, but the company delayed repairs to avoid production shutdowns.
The leak, which began in 2020, released an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil into the surrounding creeks and farmlands. Local communities have reported fish kills, crop failures, and health problems. Shell Nigeria denies any cover-up, claiming it followed standard procedures. But the documents paint a different picture. One 2021 email from a Shell engineer warns: “If we don’t fix this now, it will blow.” The repair was postponed four times.
Uncovered figures reveal Shell spent more on legal fees to fight pollution claims than on pipeline maintenance during the same period. The company has faced multiple lawsuits from Nigerian communities, but this is the first evidence of deliberate delay. A former Shell executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “They knew. The risk assessment was clear. But stopping the pipeline would cost millions in lost revenue.”
The pollution has devastated the Ogoniland region, already scarred by decades of oil spills. Activists say Shell is treating Nigeria as a sacrifice zone. “They export oil and import pollution,” said a local campaigner. Shell’s response: “We are committed to cleaning up all spills and working with communities.” But the documents suggest otherwise.
Leaked internal audits show that Shell’s own environmental team rated the pipeline as “high risk” three years ago. No action was taken. The company’s London headquarters was informed but chose not to intervene. A whistleblower inside Shell’s Nigerian unit told us: “It’s a culture of profit over people. They’d rather pay compensation later than stop production now.”
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office is reportedly assessing whether to open a formal investigation. Shell’s share price dropped 2% on the news. For the people of the Delta, it’s just another broken promise. As one farmer put it: “We are dying slowly. And Shell watches.”
