Behind rising oil cost: Nigeria

Unrest in the country’s oil-rich delta region helped to drive crude prices this week to $66 a barrel.

IWHREKAN, NIGERIA
On July 21, 2005, the pipeline that runs near here ruptured. Streams of black goo oozed into farmers’ fields and a fishing creek. Because of a complicated dispute between villagers and the major oil company in this region, Royal Dutch Shell, the oil hasn’t been cleaned up. Black residue still covers thousands of plants.

Residents are angry. “We will face Shell,” says village chairman Daniel Oweh surrounded by agitated young men. “The next stage will be violent.”

Christian Science Monitor