NNPC begins ‘rigorous’ oil exploration in Gongola, other inland basins

 

Abuja – The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
has embarked on a more rigorous exploration for oil in the

Gongola and other inland basin using the latest seismic data
gathering technology .
A statement by NNPC’s Group General Manager,Group Public
Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad, made this known in
Abuja on SaturdayThe NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, the
statement said, made the disclosure when he paid separate
visits to the governors of Bauchi and Gombe States.
Baru that the latest technology was similar to the ones used
by neighbouring countries to discover oil in their countries..
He said the exploration was in strict compliance to President
MuhammaduBuhari’s mandate.
NNPC, he said, had therefore commenced activities in the
Gongola Basin by awarding the contract for seismic data
acquisition of over 500KM2 3D seismic data in the first
instance.
“NNPC is deploying state of the art technology in the present
data acquisition and we are confident that these efforts will
lead to clearer definition of the prospectively of the basin.”
He said that the contractors awarded the contract for the
seismic data acquisition in the Gongola Basin, was Integrated
Data Service Limited (IDSL).
Baru said the contractor was a subsidiary of the NNPC and
Bureau for Geophysical Prospecting, a subsidiary of Chinese
National Petroleum Corporation (BGP/CNPC) were mobilising
to commence the project.
The GMD said that the seismic data acquisition activities and
exploration well drillings would provide employment
opportunities for the youths.
Baru said the multiplier effect of the envisaged employment
would contribute to the economic empowerment of the
surrounding communities and the nation at large.
He said that NNPC was in the process of awarding the
Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) and Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
University, Bauchi and Modibbo Adama University of
Technology, Yola.
In their separate remarks, the governors of Bauchi an Gombe,
Mohammad Abubakar and Ibrahim Dankwambo applauded the
president for the pragmatic move to rigorously commence
exploratory activities in the area.
They both stressed that the move would further grow the
nation’s oil and gas reserves.
“I want to assure you of the unflinching support of Bauchi
State and its good people towards this project.
“We are ready to provide offices and accommodation for all
NNPC staff that will work on this project,” Abubakar said.
“Already, we have assigned two ministries that will work with
your team on this laudable project.
“ I will work with my colleague Governors in the North- East to
galvanize support from our people towards this project,”
Dankwambo said.
Dankwambo also called on the media to support this renewed
oil search in the area.
Giving their royal endorsements, the Emirs of Bauchi and
Gombe reassured the Federal Government of their readiness
to support the project, mobilise their subjects against
interrupting the smooth operation of the exploratory activities
in their domains.