Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has announced that imported barites would no longer be allowed for use in the Nigerian oil and gas industry from 2022.
This is as the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has officially launched made-in-Nigeria Barites that has met specifications for use in the oil and gas industry, mostly in drilling operations.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, who performed the launch in Port Harcourt, expressed delight at the alignment of objectives by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, in supporting the attainment of the aspirations of the NOGICD Act.
Wabote said the utilization of locally produced Barites and Drilling Fluids in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry was in line with the Federal Government’s commitments towards maximum optimization of local content and diversification of the Nigerian economy and would create huge value addition and opportunities to drive the sustainable and competitive growth of the Nigerian economy.
He recalled that the Board had issued a Guideline in May 2021 where it approved four firms for the supply of Barites required for any drilling project or contract in the oil and gas industry.
“We fully support this initiative of relaunching made in Nigeria Barites and look forward to a successful partnership between the NCDMB and the Ministry of Mines and Steel for the further development of the mines for Barites production which represents the upstream sector of the valuechain.
“As a Board, we have made giant strides towards Nigeria’s self sufficiency in Barites production and the utilization of Nigerian produced Barites. Some of the effort made by the Board include, Patronage and utilization of Nigerian barites by Oil and gas operators and service companies.
“Let me use this platform to strongly encourage prospective investors to explore and optimize the huge investment opportunities created by the provisions and implementation of the NOGICD Act of 2010 in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry and Allied Sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“Let me reiterate that the Board will continue to partner, collaborate, support and protect such investors in the entire value chain of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry. Also note that first and exclusive consideration will always be given to locally produced goods and services in line with the provisions of the NOGICD Act.”
The Executive Secretary charged the ministry and barite miners to focus on the improvement of the health and safety practices at the mines, optimal barite production in volumes and to the required specification and Availability of accurate geological data.
He also emphasised the need to address host community issues and Environmental Practices leading to land degradation, Provision of adequate infrastructure and logistics, Improved access to financing for equipment and working capital and Patronage and utilization of Nigerian barites by Oil and gas operators and service companies.
“The utilization of localy produced Barite and Drilling Fluids in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry is ultimately in line with the Federal Governments unflinching commitments towards maximum optimization of local contentand diversification of the Nigerian economy.
“This is critical to creating huge value addition and opportunities to trigger and drive the sustainable and competitive growth of the Nigerian economy.
“It is our belief that Nigeria will become greater if we all combine efforts to produce the things that we use, and we use the things that we produce.”
