The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), in collaboration with its Joint Venture partner, Newcross Exploration and Production Ltd., has announced the successful restart of oil production at the Awoba Unit Field.
This announcement was made on Tuesday via a press statement signed by Olufemi O. Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPC.
Soneye said the field, which had been inactive since February 2022 due to evacuation challenges and crude oil theft, began producing again on April 13, 2024, adding that the field’s output averages 8,000 barrels per day, with expectations to reach 12,000 barrels per day once fully operational. This increase is set to substantially boost Nigeria’s oil production capacity, aiding in meeting both the national OPEC quota and increasing the supply of gas to power-related and industrial sectors.
“Since the restart of the Awoba field by NNPC Ltd and it partners on April 13, 2024; production from the field has averaged 8,000 barrels per day and is expected to reach 12,000 per day at full ramp up within 30 days. Awoba is also expected to significantly boost gas supply to the power sector and other gas-based industries,” he said.
The statement added that the Awoba Unit is strategically located in the mangrove swamp south of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and spans across Oil Mining Licenses (OMLs) 18 and 24. These assets are managed by the NNPC’s Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
According to Soneye, this development is part of NNPC Ltd.’s broader initiative to revitalise several fields within its portfolio. Production successes have been noted in other fields, including the Madu Field and OMLs 29 and 18, which have collectively contributed an average of 60,000 barrels per day to the national production since their restart in late 2023.
“NNPC Ltd. has been recording a string of production successes from the JV portfolio which have significantly lifted overall national production. Besides the recent start of production at the Madu Field by the NNPC Ltd/First E&P JV, the company has achieved the restart of production at OMLs 29 and OML 18 in late 2023 which have steadily contributed an average of 60,000bpd to the nation’s production output since their restart.”
Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., attributes these achievements to the favorable business environment fostered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Kyari expressed gratitude towards the collaborative efforts of NNPC staff, security agencies, host communities, and private security contractors, emphasising their crucial roles in achieving these operational milestones.
