Nigeria and Cost of Oil in Pictures

"For over 50 years now, the extraction of crude oil and natural gas from Nigeria's Niger Delta has meant wealth for a privileged few but has exacted heavy costs on residents and the environment. Nigeria is the world's 8th largest producer of crude oil, yet remains one of its poorest nations -- an estimated 70 percent of its 150 million residents live below the poverty line. The environment is paying a steep price as well. An estimated 500 million gallons of oil have spilled into the delta -- the equivalent of roughly one Exxon Valdez disaster per year. A number of factors have contributed to these disasters: poor construction and maintenance, lax regulation, militant attacks, and petroleum thieves, not to mention government instability and abuse of power. According to cables released by WikiLeaks, Shell Oil claimed to have planted staff in all of Nigeria's main ministries, gaining access to key government decisions. Gathered here are some scenes from Nigeria's long, disastrous relationship with the crude oil industry." - Alan Taylor

Air and Atmosphere pollution with smoke and fire in Niger Delta at Adoni areas of river state

A Child looks at abandon leaking oil equipments at Kegbara Dere, Ogboni

A young boy siphoning oil in the polluted Bodo community River

Children playing in the polluted Bonny waterways

Gas Flaring at Amenem

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Gas flaring near Warri

Oil pollution and spills on Ogoniland creeks and Rivers

Oil spill in Ogoni Rivers

Oil pipe line burning and smoking rising up at Kegbara dere

Credits: Alan Taylor, Atlantic, Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty Images, Reuter, AP, Akintunde Akinleye