NNPC Begins Oil Exploration In Nasarawa, As The World Moves Away From Oil

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has pitched its boat against the tide of technological advancements by making further incursions deep into oil exploration while the rest of the world is moving farther away from oil.

The country’s oil corporation, on Thursday, announced that Oil search in the nation’s inland basins received a fresh impetus following the commencement of exploration activities in the Benue Trough by NNPC.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, while paying a visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Almakura in Lafia today, announced the development. 

He said the move is in fulfillment of the Presidential mandate directing NNPC to resume oil exploration activities in some of the nation’s inland basins which include the Chad Basin and the Benue Trough. 

He said the Presidential mandate was driven by the urgent need for the Nation to increase its Oil and Gas Reserves, thereby improving revenue streams and creating more business and employment opportunities for Nigerians. 

Dr. Baru added that the move was also in line with NNPC’s corporate vision of 12 Business Focus Areas (12 BUFA), informing Governor Almakura that the NNPC team was in Nasarawa to sensitise the government and people of the state on the mission. 

“I am therefore happy to be personally here to kick-start the beginning of a high-profile stakeholder engagement towards oil exploration in the Nasarawa State’s part of the Benue Trough,” he stated. 

He assured that as a responsible corporate organization, NNPC through its Frontier Exploration Services (FES) would do everything possible to operate peacefully among the people and with much respect to the environment. 

Already, the GMD noted, the Corporation’s Frontier Exploration Services (FES) had mobilized the Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), an  Upstream arm of the NNPC) to acquire seismic data in the Benue Trough commencing from the Keana area. 

“I am convinced that the success of the results from IDSL’s seismic data acquisition will lead to the drilling of exploration wells in the area, which hopefully, would launch Nasarawa state into the league of oil producing states in the country,” Dr. Baru stated. 

He assured that Nasarawa State indigenes would enjoy more products availability once the Corporation rehabilitates the Makurdi Depot pipeline which feeds Nasarawa and Benue States with products. 

“We have resuscitated Mosimi, Ibadan, Kano and Aba depots. Once we are done with Aba-Enugu line, we are heading towards Makurdi Depot,” Dr. Baru added. 

Earlier, the governor who expressed delight over the oil search in his state, assured the GMD of Nasarawa people’s support towards the oil search in the frontier. 

He particularly lauded the GMD for ensuring stability in products supply and distribution across the country. 

“Since your appointment as the GMD, NNPC, I cannot remember any issue of fuel scarcity surfacing in the country. 

“You are also known by many for your transparency and accountability which is very crucial in a national company like the NNPC,” the Governor stated. 

Governor Almakura informed the GMD that the state government had deployed special “environment guards” to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure across the state, including the Pipelines Right of Way (PRoW). 

He pledged to direct the Ministries of Land, Physical Planning as well as Housing & Transport to work with the NNPC team towards ensuring the success of the oil exploration in the area. 

This development sounds ironic and awkward as some countries have declared their intents to phase out oil products.

Recently, the United Kingdom announced that it will phase out petrol/petroleum vehicles by 2040. Other countries have followed suit, some going for as early as 2025.

Germany has tested the new hydrogen-driven trains that gives off water as its end product, bypassing petroleum-powered ones.

Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer says it is investing heavily in tourism, with as much as 500 billion dollars going into the deal.

In the face of all these, notwithstanding, Nigeria is still going neck-deep into the exploration and production of petroleum products as its major source of income.

All hues and cries to diversify and move away from oil dependency have so far fallen on deaf ears as the federal government seems lost on how to tap in to technology as means to generate income and diversify the economy.

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