The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the commencement of crude oil exploration along the Bida Basin sokoto North of Nigeria.

The crude oil exploration 2D seismic data acquisition surveys in the Bida Sokoto basin are expected to spread across eight local government councils of Niger state, two in Kwara state and one in Kogi state.

This recent disclosure was made by the Group managing Director (GMD) of the nation’s petroleum body Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, during his courtesy call on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State in northern region of Nigeria

According to GMD through Group General Manager Frontier Exploration Services, Abdullahi Bomai; Progress is being recorded in the ongoing petroleum exploration off the inland basins by the Corporation is capable of growing Nigeria’s reserve to 40 billion barrels by the year 2023.

“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 8 local government areas which extends to 2 other local governments in Kwara state and 1 Local Local government in Kogi state”. Mere Kyari said.

“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”. He further stated.

The NNPC boss further intimated his hostof the efforts and significant progress  NNPC/FES has made so far in the ongoing exploration activites in the inland basins, with a realistic and achievable target of growing the Nigeria national oil reserve to 40 million by year 2023.  

“Today we are glad to inform you of the commencement of hydrocarbon exploration in the sedimentary section of Niger state.” Kyari posited.

While soliciting for the support, cooperation and participation of the states and local government councils, traditional rulers, community laders, and the people of the regiontowards achieving this laudable development, Kyari said the deployment of light and heavy machineries along the basin is in the offing.

The seismic mapped out areas covers; Mokwa, Lavun, Gbako, Bida, Katcha, Agaie, Edati and Lapai all in the northern region of the country.