Shell cuts Nigeria output after oil theft

Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell said Tuesday it has shut down 70,000 barrels per day of oil production after thieves attacked a pipeline to draw off oil in southern Nigeria. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SDPC), the company's subsidiary in Nigeria, said it was working to repair leaks on the 90-kilometre-long (60 miles) Nembe Creek line. The line had to be shut down on December 24, the company said, blaming thieves for the problems, with the repairs due to be finished by the end of the month. A joint investigation of government agencies and the SDPC "showed oil thieves had installed valves at two points (in the pipeline) near the Tora manifold in Nembe in Bayelsa State," a statement said.