Ike Amos
20 January 2018, Sweetcrude, Abuja — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Friday, hinted that oil block allocation has begun in the Sokoto basin, as it called on local and international investors to acquire blocks in the basin.
Speaking at a regional technology sharing workshop on hydrocarbon potentials of the Sokoto Basin, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru stated that the NNPC is eyeing massive investments in the country’s oil and gas industry with a view to improving the nation’s revenue and creating jobs for the citizenry.
He disclosed that the basin had been confirmed to attain a depth of over 2,000 metres considered adequate for hydrocarbon generation in some places.
Baru, who was represented at by NNPC Kaduna Zonal Manager, Mr. Aliyu Ja’afaru, disclosed that the purchase of aeromagnetic data from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, which has since been interpreted to determine the sediment thickness and basin configuration is part of the significant progress on the Sokoto Basin.
He explained that geological mapping was ongoing by catchment universities, among which are: Usmanu Danfodio University, UDUS, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, BBUL, even as he noted that Integrated Data Services Limited, IDSL, and its partner, Pioneer-Alfa Petroleum Services (PPS) are mobilizing to carry out surface geochemistry sampling; gas-micro-seepage analysis, acquire ground gravity and magnetic data in the area.
According to him, the inland basins exploration was also in line with the goal of fulfilling the presidential mandate of increasing Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves.
He solicited the support of all Stakeholders, governments, security agencies, universities, traditional institutions, as well as the various host communities) for the actualization of the lofty ideals of the mandate.
He declared that with the renewed desire of the Federal Government to increase the nation’s reserve base and production, NNPC’s Frontier Exploration Services (FES) Division, was reinvigorated to champion the exploration activities in the Inland Basins, using the most sophisticated techniques and knowledge from exploration successes in Chad, Sudan, Niger and other similar Inland Basins.
He said, “The integration and interpretation of the various datasets will help us acquire high resolution regional 2D seismic data and 3D seismic data acquisition over any identified leads and prospects in preparation for drilling exploration and appraisal wells when all the above are successful.”
He noted that “Upon successful discovery of oil in the nation’s inland basins, we will be able to attract huge oil and gas investments which will not only improve the nation’s revenue streams but also create more business and employment opportunities for Nigerians.”
Also speaking, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, noted that available data on the Sokoto basin suggested the possible presence of some hydrocarbon resources in the region, saying despite this, there is the need to engage experts to come up with credible data capable of attracting investments into the basin.
Tambuwal said it was imperative to explore inland basins in the Country to add to Nigeria reserves, saying he was optimistic hydrocarbon resources would be found in the Sokoto Basin.
