The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday said it 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.
Group managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, who disclosed this when he paid courtesy call on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger on Wednesday said the Corporation is to unveil the 2D seismic data acquisition in the Bida Sokoto basin.
Progress is being recorded in the ongoing exploration of inland basins by the Corporation is capable of growing Nigeria’s reserve to 40 billion barrels by the year 2023, the GMD who spoke through Group General Manager Frontier Exploration Services, Abdullahi Bomai said.
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 8 local government areas which extends to 2 other local governments in Kwara state and 1 Local 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 are 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.