By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commenced oil exploration activities in the Bida Basin in Niger State.
Group Managing Director (GMD) of the corporation, Mr Mele Kolo Kyari, revealed this on Wednesday during a visit to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to unveil the 2D seismic data acquisition in the Bida – Sokoto basin.
The exploration will involved eight local governments in the state. He said further that the progress being recorded in an ongoing exploration of inland basins by the corporation was capable of growing Nigeria’s crude reserves to 40 billion barrels by the year 2023.
Represented by NNPC Group General Manager Frontier Exploration Services, Mr Abdullahi Bomai, he said in-depth geological and geochemical studies showed that there are strong hydrocarbon-bearing indicators that have been confirmed as oil and gas-bearing formations in the eight local governments which extends to two other local governments in Kwara and another in Kogi states.
“Further exploration activities based on the need for exploration in the Bida Basin, NNPC management has graciously approved the award of contract to Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) and their alliance partners (BGP/CNPC International Nigeria limited to embark on immediate Seismic Data Acquisition to further unravel the presence of hydrocarbons in the Bida Basin.
“We are indeed delighted for the opportunity of today’s visit to inform you of the activities of NNPC/FES and also to solicit for your support,” the GMD said.
According to Mr Kyari, significant progress is being made in the ongoing exploration of inland basins, with a realistic and achievable target of growing the nation’s reserve to 40 million in the next three years.
He solicited the support, cooperation and participation of the state and local governments, traditional rulers and community leaders towards achieving the national mandate, adding that the deployment of light and heavy machinery will soon commence in the state.
He listed the local government areas where exploration activities will commence to include Mokwa, Lavun, Gbako, Bida, Katcha, Agaie, Edati and Lapai, adding that in the course of conducting these operations, a lot of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers will be engaged.
The Governor of Niger State, Mr Abubakar Sani Bello, in his remarks, expressed happiness over the realization of the project, stressing the need for the oil agency to pay adequate compensation to the people who would be affected by the exportation.
He said, “We are all excited over the good news of the oil exploration. As you know, research in the development of the Bida Basin has been on for some times.
“We are however happy that the NNPC is seeing to the success of the project. We are hopeful that Niger state will join the oil producing states.”
He said his administration will work with NNPC to ensure that communities are carried along and to compensate adequately communities which are going to be affected the oil exploration activities.
Modupe Gbadeyanka