NNPC Will Resume Crude Oil Drilling In North, Says Ojulari

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, said the energy giant will resume crude oil drilling activities at the Kolmani oil field, located on the border between Bauchi and Gombe States.

Ajulari made the disclosure in an interview on the BBC.

Recall that in 2022, the NNPC, under the leadership of Mele Kyari focused on resuming oil exploration at the Kolmani Oil Field.

According to the state-owned company, the Kolmani project aims to diversify Nigeria’s oil production beyond the Niger Delta and tap into a potential one billion barrels of crude oil.

Speaking to BCC, the GCEO disclosed that preparations are already underway to relaunch the project.

Ojulari said, “We will continue to work with the government in Kolmani and other areas. Besides the oil drilling work, we will also ensure that we complete the gas pipeline project from Ajaokuta to Kano.

“The projects would allow the previously closed businesses to be reopened so that they could continue to operate and open new ones.

“This will create benefits in the region, which will lead to the benefit of everyone because the wealth will grow. We have to go back and carry on with this work.”

Ojulari expressed NNPC’s readiness to revive the project.

The GCEO said that Northerners viewed the drilling in the North as a move toward gaining a stronger foothold in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Crude oil drilling is historically dominated by the South.

Ojulari’s move to restart the project comes at a crucial moment as Nigeria grapples with economic challenges and seeks to increase domestic crude production and enhance energy security.

Ojulari also said the NNPC has resolved its feud with the Dangote refinery.

“We, as Nigerians, must hail Dangote’s courageous efforts. Whatever he is investing in, he is doing it in Africa“. We have addressed the feud between the NNPC and the Dangote Refinery. Very soon, people will start seeing the impact.

“We are cooperating, and better days are ahead. Marketers will buy fuel at the refinery any time they want. If there are any obstacles, we will address them. It won’t be in the news anymore that NNPC and Dangote are fighting; now, we are working together for the interests of Nigerians.”

NNPC Will Resume Crude Oil Drilling In North, Says Ojulari is first published on The Whistler Newspaper