The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has begun drilling oil in the Ebenyi-A well located in Nasarawa State.
This was made known by the Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari on Tuesday.
He stated that the spud-in of Ebenyi-A well in the Ajibu community of Obi Local Government Area would raise daily production from about 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) to 3m bpd soon.
Also present at the ceremony was President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Buhari, the discovery and drilling of oil in Nasarawa State would lead to greater prosperity for Nigerians and enhance overall energy security for the country.
He said:
“Today’s occasion marks the official commencement of exploration drilling activities in the middle Benue Trough. This is consistent with the commercial discoveries of hydrocarbon in the Kolmani area of the Upper Benue Trough.”
The President also said the surrounding communities would particularly benefit from the value created by the exploration and eventual production activities.
Other areas NNPC was extending its crude oil exploration were Chad Basin, Dahomey Basin, Anambra Platform, the Calabar Embankment, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin, Benue Trough, and the Ultra-Deepwater Niger Delta.
See some photos below;
