By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commenced crude oil exploration along the Bida Basin spreading across eight local government councils of Niger State, two in Kwara State and one in Kogi State.
The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, disclosed this when he paid courtesy call on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger on Wednesday.
He said that the corporation was to unveil the 2D seismic data acquisition in the Bida Sokoto basin.
He also disclosed that progress was being recorded in the ongoing exploration of inland basins by the corporation was capable of growing Nigeria’s reserve to 40 billion barrels by the year 2023.
The GMD spoke through Group General Manager Frontier Exploration Services, Abdullahi Bomai.
Mere Kyari said, “In depth geological and geochemical studies so far showed that there is strong hydrocarbon bearing indicators that have been confirmed as oil and gas bearing formations in eight local government areas which extend to two other local governments in Kwara State and one local government in Kogi State.
“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”.
The NNPC boss told Governor Sani Bello that while efforts were being made to tap the potentials, “The NNPC is 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”.
According to 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 by year 2023 and, “today we are glad to inform you of the commencement of hydrocarbon exploration in the sedimentary section of Niger state”.
While soliciting for the support, cooperation and participation of the states and local government councils, traditional rulers and community leaders towards achieving the national mandate, Kyari said the deployment of light and heavy machineries along the basin will soon commence.
The NNPC GMD gave the names of the affected local government areas to include; Mokwa, Lavun, Gbako, Bida, Katcha, Agaie, Edati and Lapai, adding that in the course of conducting the operations, a lot of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers from Niger State will be engaged.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello in his response expressed happiness over the realization of the project, stressing the need for the Corporation to pay adequate compensation to communities who would be affected by the oil exporation.
Governor told the NNPC delegation, “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”.
Bello also assured of preparedness of his administration to work with the NNPC towards ensuring that the affected communities were carried along and as well to compensate the people that would be affected by the oil exploration activities.