Madar (Niamey) - Niger's authorities will drill a relief well, named Goumeri W-8R, from October 24 to December 26, 2026, to regain control of the Goumeri W8 oil well in the Agadem block, where a loss of containment was followed by an eruption of crude oil, the petroleum and environment ministers said at a joint press briefing in Niamey on Tuesday, October 20, according to Journal du Niger.
The two ministers said China's CNPC quickly contained the spill under the supervision of officials from both ministries on site, and described the eruption as "low intensity". A ministerial mission, joined by Algerian experts from Sonatrach, visited the site on October 14.
The operation relies on directional drilling. The drilling platform is 100% complete and all the necessary equipment has been brought to the site, officials said. The detailed technical programme for the drilling and well-kill operations has not yet been released, and the timetable remains indicative.
The authorities said the two ministries would keep coordinating to monitor water quality and soil condition, clean up affected areas and address possible harm to local residents and economic activities. Algeria had sent a mission of hydrocarbons and Sonatrach experts to help contain the incident.
Environment Minister Col. Abdoulaye Maïzama said on Tuesday evening that the eruption "has decreased in intensity but is not completely over", AFP reported. The petroleum ministry said last week that the eruption of crude oil and gas had been under way since September 25, with jets rising more than 10 metres. The leak has already degraded pastures and soil in this livestock-rearing area, the authorities fear groundwater contamination and have urged residents not to approach the site because of gas emissions.
