(Adds Trans Niger Pipeline restart, background)
LAGOS/LONDON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Shell's Nigerian unit hasdeclared force majeure for Bonny Light crude oil liftings due toa shutdown of a Niger Delta pipeline following a leak, astatement said on Friday.
The declaration comes just over a month after the companyended its most recent new force majeure on Bonny Light afterrepairing another a leak on the same pipeline.
"SPDC declared force majeure on Bonny Light liftingseffective 1000 hrs (Nigerian Time) today due to shutdown of theNembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by the pipeline operator, Aiteo,following a leak," Shell said in a statement.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd(SPDC) is Shell's local unit.
A spokeswoman said Bonny Light exports were continuing viathe Trans Niger Pipeline, which had reopened after being closedsince early June. Sources told Reuters the pipeline resumedpumping oil last week. Exports of 211,000 bpd were initiallyplanned for August.
Bonny Light is the fourth Nigerian oil grade under forcemajeure as the country grapples with militant attacks that havehobbled its oil production and exports. Already, the country'slargest export stream, Qua Iboe, is under force majeure as wellas Forcados and Brass River.
Attacks throughout the Niger Delta have continued despite aresumption of cash payments to militants and government effortsat peace talks.
As a result, the country is missing more than 700,000 bpd ofoil production. In addition to the grades under force majeure, atrader and port source said others, such as Escravos, wereflowing at reduced rates due to attacks on pipelines and otherinfrastructure. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing and Libby George, editing by DavidEvans)
