Earlier this month a new report from Amnesty International on the situation with Shell in Nigeria was published. I am reliably informed that this material was suppressed in the Dutch and UK press, but appeared in most other European countries.
"THE TWO BODO OIL SPILLS: A BRIEF TIME LINE
On 28 August 2008, a fault in the trans-niger pipeline caused a major spill in Bodo, Ogoniland. The oil poured into the surrounding swamp and creek for at least four weeks − probably for as long as 10 weeks (the date of the first spill is disputed – see page 31 for more information).
According to shell, 1,640 barrels of oil were spilled in total. However, experts consulted by a UK legal firm have estimated that as much as 4,000 barrels of
oil a day were leaking from the pipe. The spill was eventually stopped on 7 November 2008.
Shell admitted responsibility for the spill. According to the company-led Joint Investigation visit (JIV) report, it was caused by a “weld defect”.
On 7 December 2008, a second spill occurred in Bodo. This spill was reported to Shell two days later, on 9 December. Both the local community and the JIV report
attested that the second spill was larger than the first.
Ten weeks later, between 19 and 21 February 2009, Shell, Nigeria’s National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Bodo community carried out a joint investigation. Again, Shell stated afterwards that the spill was caused by equipment failure as a result of natural corrosion."
This report details the events, consequences, and provides recommendations to Shell, the governments of Nigeria, the UK and the Netherlands as well as investors. It's well worth reading. The US obtains about 6% of its oil supply from Nigeria.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR44/018/2011/en/ee69139f-5e19-4760-af62-b3cf0b0a8595/afr440182011en.pdf 
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