Nigeria, Oct. 12 -- For years, residents of Obite, Obagi and neighbouring communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have watched flames rise above TotalEnergies' oil facilities, illuminating the night and, they say, altering the lives of people living closest to the company's operations.

The flames did not disappear after TotalEnergies announced that it had achieved what it described as a landmark environmental milestone. Instead, residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the flaring continued.

In July, PREMIUM TIMES visited communities around Oil Mining Lease 58, TotalEnergies' principal onshore asset in Nigeria, and observed flare stacks burning days and nights.

At the company's facility in Obite, two flare stack...