Barring any last-minute change of plan, President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow flag off oil exploration activities in Bauchi and Gombe States. Specifically, the president will conduct the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kolmani Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 809 and 810 at the Kolmani field site located in Bauchi and Gombe states. Nigeria currently produces far less than its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota of 2.1 million barrels per day due to hostilities and oil theft in the Niger Delta region. The latest efforts for oil search at the Kolmani River-II Well in the Gongola Basin have been ongoing for some years with geologists optimistic of commercial discoveries in the zone. This was even as industry observers lauded the political will of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to intensify search for hydrocarbon resources in the region amidst stiff opposition from various stakeholders. ‘‘The flag off of oil drilling in Kolmani River-11 further lays credence that the NNPCL was right afterall in its sustained search for oil in this region. We are happy with with development and wish to congratulate Mr. President and his team,’’ said some industry observers.
Sun