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.
