The Shell Petroleum Development Co. restarted the Soku gas and condensate plant in Nigeria on March 29 after a shutdown of several months to repair pipeline damage caused by thieves, a spokesman for Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB.LN) said Wednesday.

The plant is not yet producing at full capacity, but production is in the process of ramping up, he said.

"We removed 170 illegal connections from the condensate pipeline," that were being used for theft and have increased security in the area, the spokesman said.

The company is also cleaning up environmental damage caused by the condensate theft, he said. Photos previously seen by Dow Jones Newswires showed considerable environmental damage, with green scrubland around the plant's perimeter fence turned black by condensate leaks.

Before the shutdown in November Soku was supply 1.1 billion cubic feet of gas a day to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas plant and 30,000 barrels a day of condensate to an export terminal.

NLNG declared force majeure on deliveries shortly after the Soku shutdown. The company wasn't immediately available for comment.

Oil production operations in Nigeria have suffered continued disruptions from damage caused to pipelines and other facilities either by illegal connections made to steal oil or deliberate sabotage by millitants. As much as 100,000 barrels a day may be stolen in the country, the Nigerian government has estimated.

SPDC is a joint venture between Shell, Nigerian National Petroleum Co., Eni SpA (E) and Total SA (TOT).

Company Web site: http://www.shell.com

-By James Herron, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9317; james.herron@dowjones.com