02 October 2016, Abuja — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Sunday, projected a 200,000 barrels per day increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production by the first quarter of 2018.
This, according to a statement by the NNPC, would be made possible with the commissioning of the Umbilical Flowlines and Risers (UFR) for the Egina Deep Offshore Project.
Speaking during the Load out Ceremony of the UFR for the Egina project by Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, in Port-Harcourt, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru also restated the commitment of the corporation to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.
Baru disclosed that the module will guarantee the drilling of the first oil from the 200, 000 barrels per day Egina field by the first quarter of 2018″
He commended Saipem on the successful completion of the Egina UFR project which also involves the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and pre-commissioning of 52 kilometers (km) of oil production and water injection flowlines; 12 flexible jumpers; 2km of oil export line; 20km of gas export pipelines alongside the installation and commissioning of 80km of steel tube Umbilical and mooring FPSO and Offshore Loading Terminal. (OLT).
He said, “What is being celebrated is the efficacy of the Nigerian Content Act and the NNPC is strongly committed to the successful implementation of all provisions of the Act.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Total, Nicholar Terahz, said the Egina project was the largest contributor to the development of the Nigerian content in the oil industry being the largest offshore project currently going on in the country.
He noted that the employment opportunities and technology transfer the project had generated contributed significantly to the nation’s economy.
On his part, the Managing Director of Saipem, Guido D’Aloisio, said the performance of Nigerian engineers on the project was commendable, adding that the country would be proud of it.
Speaking in the same vein, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote, who was represented by the Board’s Director, Planning, Research & Statistics, Daziba Patrick Obah, said that the quality of jobs done on the project by Nigerians and the gains, therefore, will further deepen Nigerian content in the oil industry.
The NNPC disclosed that Egina field, which was discovered in 2003 is located at about 20km from Akpo Field within the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130, adding that it is situated in a water depth of 1, 750m.
*Michael Eboh – Vanguard
