As part of its continuous efforts to explore oil in the country’s interior basins, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited intends to drill the country’s first oil well in Nasarawa State in March 2023.
The NNPC Ltd. group chief executive officer, Mele Kyari, stated that the results of exploratory activities confirm the presence of significant hydrocarbon resources in Nasarawa.
Kyari stated this when the governor of the state, Engr. Abdullahi Sule led a delegation of notable state natives on a courtesy visit to the company’s headquarters in Abuja.
Due to the global energy shift, investments in fossil fuels have reduced, hence he urged quick action on the project.
“This work must be done very fast because the whole world is walking away from fossil fuel due to energy transition, the earlier you go to market, the better for you, otherwise, ten years from now, no one will agree to put money in petroleum business except it comes from your cash flow”, Kyari said.
According to Kyari, to avoid the challenges of the Niger Delta, community support and a conducive environment are necessary for a successful operation in the area.
In his reply, Governor Sule thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for launching the Kolmani Integrated Development Project and congratulated Kyari on the beginning of oil exploration in the north. He compared the Kolmani project in the north to the Saudi Arabian system.
The governor said: “I want to congratulate you, the management of NNPC, and the Federal Government for what you have done at Kolmani, for those who don’t know what you have done for Nigeria, you have written your name in gold.’’
