Eni says sabotaged Nigerian oil pipeline repaired

Italian energy giant Eni SpA says it has repaired an oil pipeline blown up by saboteurs last week in Nigeria's southern oil region.

A statement released on the company's Web site says the Agip-owned pipeline has been restored. It was not immediately clear if production had resumed, and company officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The Nigerian military says the explosion was caused by youths protesting the alleged nonpayment of fees by the energy giant to the local community. Eni halted daily production of almost half a million barrels because of the blast.

Attacks on oil infrastructure have slashed output in Nigeria and helped push worldwide crude prices higher.