The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) discovered crude oil, gas and condensates in the Kolmani River region at the border community between Bauchi and Gombe States, yesterday.
The Details: This is coming eight months after President Buhari flagged off the exploration of oil in the Kolmani River II Well on the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin, in the North-Eastern part of the country.
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According to Samson Makoji, the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, the corporation acquired 435.54km2 of 3D Seismic Data over Kolmani Prospect in the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin.
The essence was to evaluate Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, (SNEPCo), Kolmani River 1 well discovery of 33 BCF while exploring deeper levels.
How it was discovered: Makoji said the oil well was drilled to a total depth of 13,701feet with “IKENGA RIG 101″ where they encountered several layers of oils and gas.
He added that a Drill Stem Test (DST) would be carried out to determine the commercial viability and flow of the Kolmani River reservoirs.
He said, “On Thursday 10th October 2019, at 18:02hours, one of the reservoirs was perforated and hydrocarbon started flowing to the wellhead at 21:20hours in which the gas component was flared to prevent air charge around the rig.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the discovery consists of gas, condensate and light sweet oil of API gravity ranging from 38 to 41 found in stacked siliciclastic Cretaceous reservoirs of Yolde, Bima Sandstone and Pre-Bima formations. Computation of hydrocarbon volume is on-going and will be announced in due course.
“The Corporation has also acquired additional 1183km2 of 3D seismic data over highly prospective areas of Gongola Basin with a view to evaluating the full hydrocarbon potential of the Basin.
“NNPC has deployed world-class cutting-edge technologies including Surface Geochemistry, Ground Gravity/Magnetic, Stress Field Detection, Full Tensor Gradiometry aerial surveys to de-risk exploration in the frontier basins. The NNPC plans to drill additional wells for full evaluation of the hydrocarbon volume in the Gongola Basin.”
Part of the areas that will undergo oil and gas exploration include the Benue Trough, Chad Basin, Sokoto and Bida Basins.
Makonji noted that the President also promised to prioritize Dahomey and Anambra Basins which have already witnessed oil and gas discoveries.
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What this means: Oil and gas is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. The discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the Gongola Basin will attract foreign investment, generate employment for people to earn income and increase government revenues.