Nigeria to begin exploratory oil drilling in Chad Basin

Nigeria is still committed to the exploration of oil and gas in the inland basins, according to Emmanuel Kachikwu, the minister of state for petroleum resources and group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

.Speaking on behalf of Mr Kachikwu, Garba Deen Muhammad, the group general manager of the NNPC’s public affairs, stated that drilling activities to find oil and gas will commence in the Chad Basin by October. He also noted that Benue Trough basin exploration is also a priority.

The statement reads in part:“The NNPC through its Frontier Exploration Services and Renewable Energy Division (FESRED), had progressed reasonably with seismic acquisition activities in the Chad Basin frontier area.

Operations were suspended on November 24, 2014 due to insurgency. Besides, eight of the planned 12 phase project which was expected to cover 3,550 sq.km, had been acquired at the time of suspension.

A total of 1, 962 sq.km have been acquired and processed; interpretation is currently ongoing at about 90 per cent completion, and drilling activities will commence by the last quarter of 2016.

”The NNPC director noted that seismic activities studies were carried out with due regard to environmental protection in accordance with international standards and best practices. The Integrated Data Services Ltd, a subsidiary NNPC company, jointly with a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPP) were responsible for the exploration services.