Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has confirmed an illegal connection on its Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline at Oshika community in Rivers State, causing an oil spill.

According to the indigenous oil producer on Monday, the company was immediately isolating the pipeline and stopping production to minimise potential environmental impact.

In a statement released by the company, it disclosed it has informed government regulators and is coordinating a mandatory joint investigation.

“This probe, involving the government and local community representatives, will determine the cause and impact of the incident”, the company said.

According to a Reuters report, Monday’s oil spill marks the second incident this month on the Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline and the third across Renaissance’s operations.

Last Friday, the company, which now owns former Shell Nigeria onshore assets, halted production on a line feeding the Trans Niger oil pipeline, a crucial artery transporting crude from onshore fields to the Bonny export terminal, following an operational incident.

There are concerns that the repeated attacks on Renaissance pipelines may impact oil output negatively.