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December 23, 2011

Massive Shell Oil Spill Approaches Nigerian Coast 
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Communities along Nigeria's Niger Delta have been put on alert following
a major oil spill from the oil giant Shell. Satellite images indicate
the spill has spread over 356 square miles, appearing to be the worst in
the area in over a decade. A massive oil slick is making its way to the
Nigerian coast, threatening local wildlife and massive pollution along
the shore. Shell says less than 40,000 barrels have leaked so far, but
Nigeria’s National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency says the
spill could be three times as large. The spill comes just four months
after the United Nations said it would take 30 years and around $1
billion for a small section of the delta to recover from environmental
damage caused by Shell and other companies.



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