Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s crude oil production is set to increase by 30,000 barrels per day following the launch of a $315 million Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading, FPSO, vessel by Oriental Energy Resources Limited.
The vessel, named Emem FPSO, will begin operations at the Okwok oilfield in 2025, with initial production of 17,000 bpd, expected to ramp up to 30,000 bpd.
Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiling the FPSO recently at the Drydocks World Dubai Shipyard, said the FPSO represents a significant milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s oil sector reforms.
Shettima, who attended the ceremony on behalf of President Tinubu, hailed the vessel as a symbol of Nigeria’s growing global energy influence.
“This FPSO is more than just a technological achievement; it’s a reflection of Nigeria’s ambition to meet global energy demands. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are transforming the oil and gas sector, central to Nigeria’s economic revitalisation efforts.”
The project is notable not only for its scale but also for being the first FPSO fully funded by a Nigerian indigenous company. The vessel, with a storage capacity of one million barrels, is expected to drive Nigeria’s oil sector expansion and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth.
Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy, emphasized the significance of the project for both Nigeria and his company, noting that the facility was the first FPSO to be fully funded by a Nigerian indigenous company.
Indimi noted that Emem FPSO has heralded an effort for an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company to independently develop a marginal field, stressing that it was an important milestone for Nigeria and its indigenous oil and gas sector.
“When operating at full capacity we expect the Okwok oilfield to produce up to 30,000 barrels of oil a day, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s oil production and contributing to the government’s ambition to increase oil revenue to fund Nigeria’s development.
“The Okwok field is just one step towards our long term ambition to deliver 100,000 barrels of oil per day of production in Nigeria. We have a strong set of proven assets, and a development pipeline that can deliver it.”
Other stakeholders also lauded the project. Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, said, “This project not only strengthens Nigeria’s oil production, but it also showcases Alhaji Indimi’s deep commitment to the growth and development of Borno State and the entire country. It’s a testament to what Nigerians can achieve when they invest in their own country.”
Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, highlighted Indimi’s belief in Nigeria. “Alhaji Indimi’s investment speaks volumes about his faith in Nigeria and its potential,” he said. “This FPSO is not just an achievement for Oriental Energy, but a giant leap for Nigeria’s energy future.”
In his own remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks Dubai, Capt. Antolovic Rado, assured that the vessel, when fully operational, will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the Okwok oil field region and would support economic growth and energy security.
He noted that the success achieved by Oriental Energy’s huge investment in the oil sector, has set a benchmark for operational excellence and safety to Oriental Energy Resources Limited and other partners.
