Shell Petroleum Research Articles

Gender Participation in Community Development Governance in the Niger Delta: A Case of the SPDC GMoU

The quality of women participation in Community development governance systems is considered to impact the outcomes of such initiatives in addressing the needs of rural women. The objective of this investigation was to examine the extent to which gender is mainstreamed in the governance structure of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. The constraints and implications of women participation in the GMoU were analysed with a view of ascertaining not only the representation of women but their contribution to development outcomes. Previous analysis of the GMoU fell short by depending on secondary data obtained from SPDC’s interval evaluation system or primary data that excluded perspectives of the rural women and men in the GMoU communities. The study adopted the purposive sampling technique while the population was selected using criterion sampling. Key Informant Interviews were conducted with 28 respondents selected in Seven active clusters while respondents from each cluster was selected based on their participation and experience with the GMoU. Focused group discussions were conducted with 37 participants drawn from communities in each cluster which brought the sample size of the study to 68. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis procedures using Sustainable Community Development Parameters (SCDP) as a guide. While the women appointed to executive positions enjoyed tokenism, the study found that gender representation in the GMoU policy was not significant to enhance community development. Priority needs of community women were also not being met due to the reluctance of Community Development Boards (CDB) to release funds earmarked for women and the inadequate GMoU funding to cater for community’s priority needs. The mainstreaming of gender in the GMoU was also hampered by the lack of an intent on the part of SPDC to achieve gender equality and little or no enforcement by the monitoring NGO’s. The study did not find significant evidence that showed women's participation in the GMoU led to improved project outcomes but it was established that potentials exists for greater contribution of women in local economic development. The study concludes that women’s insights and values can enrich the community development decision making at the grassroots with the mainstreaming of gender at every stage of the GMoU process.

Environmental Protection in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry and Jonah Gbemre v. Shell PDC Nigeria Limited: Let the Plunder Continue?

The case of Jonah Gbemre v. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited made a historic deviation from the usual trend of seeking monetary compensation by host communities in oil-rich regions in Nigeria. Rather, it seeks to correct regulatory shortcomings which were upheld by the court but never enforced. This article argues that the failure to enforce the judgment of the court is a missed opportunity to strengthen the environmental regulatory framework in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. It further argues that if the judgment had been enforced, it could have contributed to the reduction of the militant activities in the region and also encourages a significant change in the pattern of redress sought by litigants whose communities have been affected by the operations of oil multinational corporations in the region.

Deep Issues behind the Crisis in the Niger Delta Region: The Case of Oil Exploration in Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria

This study was designed to mirror the deep issues behind the crisis in the Niger Delta region, using the oil exploration of Ogoniland as the case study and proffering possible solutions on how best to combat the identified problems. To achieve this aim, focus group discussions, unstructured interviews and oral testimonies were employed for the collection of data; and data analysis were carried out using simple coding for recognition, transcription from the local dialect to English Language, rewriting and interpretations. The results revealed that the people’s expectation from the Government and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has not been met; illegal refineries and other criminal vices are now fully in operation in Ogoniland. The people blamed the Shell Petroleum Development Company, the Federal Government, some of their corrupt chiefs, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and some of the community youths for the problems in the communities. However, the Ogoni people believed that the full implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programmes (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and the Ogoni Bill of Rights will ameliorate all their sufferings. It was recommended that SPDC should avoid reaching agreements with the traditional rulers and politicians from Ogoni on projects bordering on development of the land that excludes the people. It was also recommended that SPDC should carry out town hall meetings, focus group discussions or even distribute questionnaires in the local communities in Ogoni communities to ascertain the best solutions from the local people (who are the majority) rather than taking only the decisions from Ogoni leaders, which may not be the consensus opinion of the people.

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Petroleum Contaminants in Soils under Tropical Weather Conditions

GC-FID methods for the analysis of Petroleum hydrocarbons were developed and optimised. Contamination of soil from the Niger Delta was investigated about 40 days after crude oil spillage from the Shell Petroleum marginal well head. Soil samples and controls were collected at depths of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 30 cm and 30 - 60 cm. Samples were analysed using gas chromatography fitted with a flame ionisation detector. Penetration and migration of C10-C26 and C26-C34 hydrocarbons through the soil layers were assessed by cluster analysis to determine the spatial distribution, penetration and similarity of these compounds over the contaminated area. The results also indicated elevated levels of total hydrocarbon contents when compared with the reference sites. Recommendations are made to carefully monitor and remediate the environment.

Mapping terrestrial oil spill impact using machine learning random forest and Landsat 8 OLI imagery: a case site within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Terrestrial oil pollution is one of the major causes of ecological damage within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and has caused a considerable loss of mangroves and arable croplands since the discovery of crude oil in 1956. The exact extent of landcover loss due to oil pollution remains uncertain due to the variability in factors such as volume and size of the oil spills, the age of oil, and its effects on the different vegetation types. Here, the feasibility of identifying oil-impacted land in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with a machine learning random forest classifier using Landsat 8 (OLI spectral bands) and Vegetation Health Indices is explored. Oil spill incident data for the years 2015 and 2016 were obtained from published records of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and Shell Petroleum Development Corporation. Various health indices and spectral wavelengths from visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared bands were fused and classified using the machine learning random forest classifier to distinguish between oil-free and oil spill–impacted landcover. This provided the basis for the identification of the best variables for discriminating oil polluted from unpolluted land. Results showed that better results for discriminating oil-free and oil polluted landcovers were obtained when individual landcover types were classified separately as opposed to when the full study area image including all landcover types was classified at once. Similarly, the results also showed that biomass density plays a significant role in the characterization and classification of oil contaminated and oil-free pixels as tree cover areas showed higher classification accuracy compared to cropland and grassland.

A Survey on the Menace of Lingzhi Mushrooms on Trees in Shell Residential Area, Port Harcourt

Observations through routine tree surveys and reports by estate managers and residents show an increasing rate of sudden fall of healthy looking trees recently in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Residential Area (SPDC RA), thus creating a high potential risk to lives and facility. An earlier survey had suggested that a weakening of the root system due to the presence of mushroom species of a cosmopolitan basidiomycete in the genus Ganoderma may be responsible for the tree falls. Consequently, a team was constituted for an emergency tree hazard hunt exercise using the approved criteria for tree cutting as terms of reference. During the tree hunt exercise, a survey was undertaken with the aim of identifying the mushroom species involved and type of disease, disease symptoms, method of infection/spread, any diagnostic tools for the disease as well as curative and preventive measures for the management of the disease in order to proffer suitable recommendations. Forty-one (41) out of a total of two hundred and seventy-one (271) trees surveyed (15%) were impacted by the mushroom. Disease symptoms include yellowing, necrosis, wilting of the palms fronds and development of a basidiocarp at the tree base. The fungus is soil-borne, spreading from root to root and by migration of airborne basidiospores from basidiocarp. It overwinters in dead woody debris and tree stumps. Some diagnostic tools have been developed both in the laboratory and field for the diagnosis of this disease which include; Calorimetric method using Ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid, Ganoderma selective media, use of Polyclinal Antibodies (PAbs) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Remote Sensing System, application of colour indices using multispectral and thermal camera as well as tomography instrument. The use of trench system, soil mounding, fungicidal treatment and replanting techniques have great potentials in the management of this disease. Periodic checks, routine removal of basidiocarps, geo-referencing and superimposing the impacted trees positions on an existing RA Base map and replanting the cut trees to re-vegetate the environment in phases with seedlings around the camp are recommended. Proper taxonomic study on the Ganoderma species diversity in the RA environment is necessary. Keywords: Shell Petroleum Development Company Residential Area (SPDC RA); Basidiomycete; Basidiocarp; Calorimetric method; Polyclinal Antibodies (PAbs); Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); Remote Sensing; Taxonomic study; etc.;

Using the DPSIR framework and data analytics to analyze oil spillages in the Niger delta area

This paper follows a stepwise application of Driving forces, Pressures, States, Impacts, and Responses (DPSIR) framework, and explores the use of data analytics to analyze oil spillages in the oil producing Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Our empirical results show that the major concerns of Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) are implementing the 2011 UNEP report on oil spills in Ogoniland, and the cleanup program in the Niger Delta area. However, for the communities, the key issues are Shell Oil spillages and water pollution. The most important actionable option derived in the last step of the DPSIR framework is environmental mediation. This methodological approach uses both numerical and text data in proffering solutions to sustainable development crisis in the area, and can be replicated by policy makers at global levels to tackle similar problems.

Comments: Offshore Makes a Comeback

Editor's column All eyes in the upstream continue to be on the growth in unconventional production, particularly in the US. But the offshore arena may be making a quiet comeback, at least in the near term. The US Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Latin America, and other spots have seen renewed interest of late, as operators enforce capital discipline to make these expensive projects feasible given the current price climate. Many offshore megaprojects were cut or scaled back when oil prices began to drop sharply in 2014 and, while global offshore output has been steady, it has not grabbed the head-lines that surging shale production has. World offshore output has remained about 27 million B/D over the past decade. US Gulf of Mexico production, which is rising, made up a quarter of US output in the early 2000s but captures only 16% of the total now with the rise in unconventionals. US Gulf of Mexico production in 2017 rose to 1.65 million B/D, the highest annual level on record, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). It is expected to increase this year and in 2019, maintaining record highs. Output will creep to 1.7 million B/D in 2018 and then to 1.8 million B/D in 2018, according to the EIA. This is due mainly to projects that were sanctioned before the price downturn and went forward in 2016 and 2017. The EIA says that seven deepwater fields will start production this year and another three will start up the following year. Shell will begin production from three fields over the period—Gotcha, Rydberg, and Kaikias. Hess and LLOG both will start up two fields, and Stone Energy and Apache will bring one field each online. An offshore auction by the US government in March, the largest for drilling prospects off the US Gulf Coast in history, attracted only modest interest from operators, proving that they are still wary of market conditions. The bidding was for 77 million acres of deep- and shallow-water tracts. Interest offshore Mexico and Brazil remains high. Brazil’s offshore auction in late March brought winning bids from ExxonMobil, Wintershall, Chevron, Shell, BP, Statoil, and Qatar Petroleum. Several operators said their break-even price for offshore projects is now under $50/bbl, well below where prices were trading in mid-April. The success of Brazil’s auction was not only because of rising oil prices and better capital discipline among operators, but also changes in Brazil regulatory laws that made the projects more attractive. That followed a deepwater auction in Mexico earlier this year that saw aggressive winning bids from Shell, which snatched up nine blocks, as well as Petronas and Qatar Petroleum. But offshore production will not catch US onshore output, which continues to outpace expectations despite fears of infrastructure bottlenecks and people shortages. Total US production will reach 11 million B/D this year, a whole year earlier than projected in March, the EIA said in April. Output is averaging 10.2 million B/D so far this year. The EIA expects US production to reach 11.18 million B/D next year.

Balancing Energy Development and Environmental Rights: From Foreign Litigation to International Insurance?

This article examines the use of foreign direct liability suits, including the ones currently in the Dutch court system by Nigerian plaintiffs against Shell Petroleum, to protect environmental and economic interests in oil-producing communities. The paper suggests that while these suits are a valuable tool in advancing the cause of a clean environment, they fall short in accomplishing the goal. Additional tools, such as an international insurance scheme, may need to be introduced to create a more effective framework.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practices and the Challenge of Taking Ownership: A Case Study of Frustrations of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practices and the Challenge of Taking Ownership: A Case Study of Frustrations of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria.

Ethno-medicine Diversity of Some Forest Reserves in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Despite advances made in modern and orthodox medicine, traditional medicine has gained renewed attention in healthcare services given the inadequacy of the existing health facilities, resources and a growing population. Traditional medicine knowledge is, however, been endangered by mortality of custodians of the knowledge, extinction of plant resources, inadequate scientific research, and poor documentation and patenting. As part of its corporate social responsibility to the host communities and in a bid to conserve biodiversity in alignment with the Rio declaration, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), commissioned a pilot study in 2014 to document ethno-medicine and associated indigenous knowledge held by the people of different community forests in the Niger Delta. The study obtained data using field surveys involving, transect walks, individual and focus group discussions, interviews and questionnaires from knowledgeable people in the locality. These included local names, medicinal uses for ailments, part(s) used, mode of preparation and administration. Voucher plant specimens collected were identified using standard taxonomic procedures. A total of about 55 plant genera of remarkable medicinal importance distributed amongst 28 families were identified. The use of animals like snake, fish and monitor lizard for medicinal purposes was documented. Some of the plants had more than one therapeutic use and can be administered singly or in combination for additive or /synergistic effect. In making medicinal preparations, leaves, roots, stems, aerial parts, seeds or the whole plant could be used. Altogether, 38 different health problems including malaria, epilepsy, diabetes, diarrhea, convulsion, measles and pile among others could be treated using remedies from medicinal plants. The results of this study showed that SPDC has not only ensured biodiversity conservation in the Niger Delta, but has promoted the healthcare of the forest communities thereby helping to improve local health systems of their investment in the host communities.

Detection and Classification of Land Crude Oil Spills Using Color Segmentation and Texture Analysis

Crude oil spills have negative consequences on the economy, environment, health and society in which they occur, and the severity of the consequences depends on how quickly these spills are detected once they begin. Several methods have been employed for spill detection, including real time remote surveillance by flying aircrafts with surveillance teams. Other methods employ various sensors, including visible sensors. This paper presents an algorithm to automatically detect the presence of crude oil spills in images acquired using visible light sensors. Images of crude oil spills used in the development of the algorithm were obtained from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria website The major steps of the detection algorithm are image preprocessing, crude oil color segmentation, sky elimination segmentation, Region of Interest (ROI) extraction, ROI texture feature extraction, and ROI texture feature analysis and classification. The algorithm was developed using 25 sample images containing crude oil spills and demonstrated a sensitivity of 92% and an FPI of 1.43. The algorithm was further tested on a set of 56 case images and demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% and an FPI of 0.66. This algorithm can be incorporated into spill detection systems that utilize visible sensors for early detection of crude oil spills.

Analysis of The Factors Affecting The Capital Structure of Oil Exploration And Production Companies: Comparative Analysis of TP And The Five Major Oil Exploration And Production Companies in The World

Oil and gas companies are still the most powerful and profitable companies in the world. Knowing the factors that affect the preferences for forming a capital structure of such a critical sector will provide a substantial contribution to the field of capital structur theory which is understated in thef literature. Besides, determining capital structure composition and financing decisions of the oil and gas companies are important issues for national and international investors who are considering to invest in the oil and gas sector, for suppliers providing services to the sector and for banks providing funds to the sector. In this context, for analyzing the factors affecting the capital structures of EXXONMOBIL, BP, SHELL, PETROBRAS, LUKOIL and Turkish Petroleum (TP), linear regression and panel data regression analysis are perfomed by using the data of these companies for the years 2006-2014 (covering 36 quarter period). Empirical results revealed that capex, operating profit, risk and quick ratio have negative relation with leverage, whereas operating net cashflow-growth opportunities-size (all together forming an independent variable) has positive relation with leverage. Additionally, our empirical results mostly support the pecking order theory.

Duty of Transnational Oil Corporations in Relation to Harm Caused in Countries of Operations: Alternative Mechanism for Effective Compensation - The Case of Oil Industries in Nigeria

Besides contributing to Nigeria’s economy and popularity, Transnational Oil Corporations (TNCs) have also contributed to the problems facing the country, for instance, the disturbances and instabilities in the Niger Delta Region. This opposing role eliminates the TNCs from ordinary bystanders and imposes a duty to act, not merely to achieve equitable balance but also to ensure the balance meets with legitimate expectations and international standards. This thesis critically examines the case of Bodo Community and others v Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd., and finds the lack of agreement on the fundamental issue, unstructured settlement agreement, and lack of follow up have done nothing to improve the life of the community inhabitants. Using a critical analysis method, the author advocates the need for TNCs to adopt an Alternative Corporate Resolution Initiative (ACRI) to facilitate the fulfilment of their contractual obligations, respect human rights, own up to their mistakes, provide meaningful remedy, and follow up on it.

The Nigerian Oil Industry: Assessing Community Development and Sustainability

Purpose: The reoccurrence of loss in revenue generation from the oil industry which is due to the unstable and heated relationship between oil corporations and host communities in the Niger Delta (ND) region of Nigeria has spurred the strategic social permission of oil multinational corporations (OMNCs) to operate in the country. Thus, OMNCs have continually given attention to the challenges faced by the region through community development in terms of initiatives and projects. Community development (CD) and sustainability are core to viable social responsibility (SR) whether from the part of government or from OMNCs. However, since the independence of the country in 1960, a lot of development agencies and commissions have been established by the government towards social and infrastructural development in the ND region. These agencies and commissions often combine efforts with OMNCs to enforce development and sustainability in the region which consequently result in mutual benefits on both ends. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine CD and sustainability of host communities in the ND by evaluating initiatives conducted by government development agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and OMNCs such as ExxonMobil and Shell Petroleum Development Commission (SPDC) in the region.Approach/Design/Methodology: The paper applied a qualitative research approach. It conceptualises CD and sustainability and examines the views of community members on initiatives from the NDDC and OMNCs. Instruments for primary data collection were the Focus Group Discussion, In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and observation. The research made use of thirty IDIs and five FGDs. Secondary sources of data were journal articles, reports and other documents from both the OMNCs and NDDC. It also made use of the Nvivo11 software to organise the data while a content-based analysis was used to set data into themes. The study puts into consideration the perspectives of different community members as well as the various concepts which exist in the literature.Findings: Analysis reveals that there is positive impact when development takes place in host communities and sustainability attained but consequently, there are no probable and visible improvement of the OMNCs operations and business in the region, which is why there is reoccurrence of revenue loss in the country from the oil sector.Value/Originality: This paper gives voice to participants in a social setting by highlighting the importance of CD and sustainability in the ND region. It does this by looking into the different initiatives conducted by the NDDC, ExxonMobile and SPDC.

Addressing Environmental Health Problems in Ogoniland through Implementation of United Nations Environment Program Recommendations: Environmental Management Strategies

On 4 August 2011, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) submitted an unprecedented, scientific, groundbreaking environmental assessment report (EAR) on Ogoniland to the Nigerian government. This was the outcome of a 14-month intensive evaluation of the extent of pollution. The intention was that UNEP’s recommendations would be implemented to restore the devastated environment, on the one hand, and on the other, counteract the numerous environmental health issues that have for decades, plagued Ogoniland. However, five years post-EAR, and despite the seriousness of the situation, no significant resolution has occurred on the part of the government or the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) or Shell. To date, millions of Niger Delta residents particularly those living in the oil-bearing communities, continue to suffer severe consequences. Although the assessment was conducted in Ogoniland, other communities in the Niger Delta are also affected. This article explores prevailing issues in the Niger Delta, using Ogoniland (a microcosm of the Niger Delta) as an example. A multidisciplinary approach for sustainable mitigation of environmental health risks in the Niger Delta is paramount, and environmental management tools offer valuable strategies. Adopting the UNEP’s recommendations for addressing environmental health problems requires implementing the environmental management/environmental management system (EM/EMS) model. However, the persistent lack of political will on the part of the Nigerian government, and the grossly nonchalant attitude by Shell remain major obstacles towards executing UNEP’s recommendations.

Experiences Developing Human Capital: Enhancing Operator capabilities at Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad (BLNG)

This work presents a review of efforts made since February 2012 to develop the human capital of operators working at Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad (BLNG) and Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad (BSP) through participation on a part time Foundation Degree in Process Engineering offered in partnership with Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB). Initially undertaken in February 2012 with an intake of 18 students, the programme was expanded to include a second intake of 17 students in July 2014. Intended as a bespoke course for industry, the review covers the development from these initial beginnings to its transformation into a part time equivalent of a full time academic programme. Work focuses on experiences faced by both the academic institution and industrial stakeholders, with issues discussed including; development of institutional and industrial administrative frameworks for the course, and their adaptation over time; student experiences, including effect on personal life and the realities of merging operational and academic requirements during study; comparative part time student performance with full time students; lecturer experiences implementing the programme, including differences in teaching the full time and part time students. This review also highlights some unanticipated benefits, such as students desire to progress onto full time degree courses subsequent to their part time study, along with more expected outcomes such as closer links between academia and industry.

Women, Inclusiveness and Participatory Governance in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: A Focus on Shell’s Model of Community Development in the Region

This paper analyzed the influence of adaptive collaborative governance on women’s inclusion and participation in governance in the Niger Delta of Nigeria with focus on Shell Petroleum Development C...

Technology Focus: Offshore Production and Flow Assurance (November 2016)

Technology Focus Subsea tieback of a new field to an existing offshore production facility is one option to minimize development costs. Alternative flowline or equipment specification is another option in addressing development costs. The three papers here discuss slightly different approaches to subsea flowlines and to offshore heating systems. All three have progressed to at least a full-scale demonstration stage, if not to actual field installation. Although carbon-steel flowlines have been the primary choice for most subsea flowlines, increasingly corrosive reservoir fluids lead to other material choices. In addition to corrosion-resistant-alloy cladding or pipe, thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) is recognized as an alternative. As a result of a large joint-industry project, DNV recently issued a recommended practice for specification, design, and qualification of TCP. The use of a TCP recommended practice is expected to reduce project-specific implementation costs but maintain a consistent qualification approach. OTC 26512 discusses TCP properties, applications, installation, and operation. Hydrate and wax flow-assurance risks are typically mitigated by continuous chemical injection, heat, insulation, pigging, or a combination of strategies. Heat conservation (insulation) may be effective in short- to moderate-length flowlines but is insufficient in longer flowlines; active heating is needed there. Direct electric heating is proposed for flexible pipe. OTC 26939 describes using the carcass and tensile armor of flexible pipe to pass electric current so that only one end of the pipe is required to have electrical connections. The qualification testing on a 12-in.-diameter, 125-m-long flexible pipe is discussed, including low-voltage and high-voltage scenarios. Offshore-facility electric heating elements and power cables typically are low-voltage systems. Medium-voltage (up to 7,200 V) systems are suggested alternatives for facilities with megawatt-level electric heating requirements. Advances in metal-sheathed electric process heating and power controls suggest that significant savings are possible in footprint, efficiency, and reliability compared with conventional low-voltage systems. OTC 26389 discusses the case study used to select a medium-voltage, 2.6-MW heating system for a Gulf of Mexico location. Although the higher-voltage equipment capital cost is higher than the low-voltage equipment cost, installation, operating, and maintenance costs are less. Offshore opportunities continue to drive new technology applications and approaches. The three papers highlighted here focus on minimizing costs while providing safe, reliable operations. I hope you find them interesting. They reminded me to keep my mind open to new options. JPT Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. OTC 26832 Application of Flexible Composite Pipe as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Carbon Steel—Design Experience by Syafiah Adam, Brunei Shell Petroleum, et al. OTC 24022 Buoyant Tower: Construction Challenges and Lessons Learned by Clyde Crochet, HortonGMC, et al. OTC 27176 Use of Advanced Composites in Offshore Pipeline Design by Naveen Ravirala, Wood Group Kenny, et al.

Poverty, oil and corruption: the need for a Quad‐Sector Development Partnership (QSDP) in Nigeria's Niger Delta

This article starts by charting the conflicting position in Nigeria's Niger Delta between its petroleum wealth and the poverty of its inhabitants before observing how government corruption has hampered development agencies from rectifying this situation. It then examines trans‐national company (TNC) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives via a case study of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). It concludes that, while there are useful projects, their success is felt at a micro level that cannot supplant wider government development. Finally, the article sets out why Quad‐Sector Development Partnerships (QSDP) between an international development agency, the state, TNCs and civil society will help to neutralise the national problem of corruption so that Niger‐Delta socioeconomic development can be improved.