March 28, 2024

NNPC committed to commencement of oil drilling in Nasarawa State by March 2023 – Kyari

 

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Government to the official commencement of spud-in of the first oil well in Nasarawa State, in March 2023, following the commercial discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in Keana Local Government Area of the State.

This was made known in a statement released to the media by Garba-Deen Mohammad, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, on Monday.

 

According to him, Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) made the commitment when he received in the audience a delegation of prominent Nasarawa State indigenes, led by the State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule at the NNPCTower, Abuja, on Friday.

 

EnergyDay gathered that the commitment of the national oil company in respect of the proposed exploration activities was in furtherance of its oil exploration activities in the country’s inland basins, following the discovery of crude oil in Gongola Basin (Gombe and Bauchi States) and later, the Middle Benue Trough.

 

The spud-in, according to Kyari, is in continuation of hydrocarbon exploration activities in Nigeria’s inland basins.

 

The GCEO further said the results of exploratory activities confirmed the presence of substantial hydrocarbon resources in the state. Kyari noted that the global energy transition had led to a reduction in investment in fossil fuels, hence the need to speed up exploration activities in the area.

 

He said, “This work must be done very fast because the whole world is walking away from fossil fuel due to energy transition, the earlier you go to market, the better for you.

 

“Otherwise, 10 years from now, no one will agree to put money in the petroleum business except it comes from your cash flow,” Kyari stated.

 

NNPC GCEO further disclosed that the community support and a conducive environment are critical factors to a successful operation in the area, in order to avoid the experience of the Niger Delta.

 

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State in his remark said, “We are constantly working to make Nasarawa state self-sustaining. We have a timeline for March.