Nasarawa oil deposit, production ‘ll end fuel crisis in Nigeria -NNPC-ATAMS Manage

By David Odama

LAFIA —An oil expert, Dr Musa Adamu has assured that the amount of Oil deposit discovered in Nasarawa state has the capacity to end fuel crisis in Nigeria when fully operational.

Adamu however said the delay in the commencement of oil product in Nasarawa was due to technical issue which he said were being addressed

Speaking with a team of journalists in Obi on Wednesday, Adamu who is the general manager, assets Integrity, NNPC-ATAMS Producing explained that the federal government, Nasarawa state, NNPC and other agencies involved in oil production would not afford to toy with the oil discovered in Nasarawa because of the huge deposit and the benefits derivable from the discovery.

The oil expert with over thirty years of experience in the oil field and doubled as Chairman, Obi Oil and Gas Exploration Committee explained that the current drilling activities at the Ebenyi 1 drilling site by ENSA, a branch of NNPCL in Obi was being delayed due to equipment failure.

The petroleum expert revealed further that the dept of calculated oil deposit is yet to be reached by the estimation of the drilling adding that though the drilling is approaching a large reservoir of oil.

“When we get to the reservoir we will know the quantity and lifespan of the deposits. The equipments we are using are foreign made and because of the present stage of drilling, breakdown of those drilling equipments is anticipated.

Musa a petroleum engineer currently serving as manager with the NNPC in Rivers State, assured that oil production will soon start noting that the reason for the delay in production is because of the physical challenges being faced in the drilling process.

Dr. Musa identified breakdown of drilling equipments and the long process of fixing the equipments as responsible for the delay in production, which according to him is normal.

He revealed that there are four major oil deposit sites in Asakio, Agwatashi, Keana and the present site where drilling is taking place in Obi staying that the outcome of the exploration shows that the probability of huge deposit in those oil wells is above 70 per.cent.

“In some places in Keana the presence of oil deposit are overtly visible. You can even see spills in some places and when you fetch them it produces the odour of gas and fuel. That shows the huge oil deposit in such areas but drilling is yet to commence.

“The quantum of oil deposit from result of exploration amount to economic oil. It is not enough to discover oil and go into drilling. You must be sure the deposit amount to economic oil.

“The oil deposits in those wells is an equivalent of economic oil. The communities, State and the federal government stand to make huge profits when oil production kick start.

Dr. Musa further more highlight other challenges earlier encountered from the residents on compensations of lands where the well was discovered, included double claims of land ownership by residents, but added that the challenges had been resolved by the traditional ruler of Obi

“The traditional ruler, Alh. Aliyu Dangiwa Ogiri, the Osukwo of Obi constituted a special committee on Oil and Gas of which I am the chairman. The committee has help resolved so many hitches that would have spark out youth restiveness but we have intervened in and proffer solutions that he help to create a conducive working environment to the NNPCL in the community.

“The host community through the intervention of the committee are currently enjoying some benefits such as youth empowerment, scholarship. Over 70 per cent of the labour at the drilling site is done by youths from Obi. The NNPCL has given scholarship to some youths who showed interest in some professional career who will be employed when oil production starts proper.

Musa also hinted that the youths are happy with the current activities that has engaged them profitably and are even providing security apart from the conventional security in and around the drilling site.

“As parts of their Corporate Social Responsibilities, street lights, access road and other Social amenities have been provided by the NNPCL who promised to do more as work at the site progresses.

“We can’t tell you exactly when the drilling will be over because of the unforeseen challenges. By God’s grace we will soon reach the target level where we will have the first oil.

According to Adamu, there are some challenges which is not only peculiar to the Obi oil drilling, but expressed the hope that soon oil production will commence in Nasarawa.

It would be recalled that Obi oil drilling which was commissioned by the formal president Buhari in March 24, 2023 is yet to commence protection one year after as drilling is currently ongoing at the time of filing this report