From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
Following concerted efforts, The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, NPDC (a subsidiary of NNPC) has produced its first Oil from Opuama oil wells in OML 40 in the onshore of the Niger Delta
which was shut in by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria in March 2006.
NPDC in a statement said its successfully re-opened two Opuama oil wells with a combined production of 2,500 barrel per day.
“ On taking over the operatorship, NPDC focused on the restoration of production by the replacement of corroded in field flowlines, refurbishment of the 30,000 barrels of liquid per day production
flowstation and the repair of the 36km oil export pipeline, including the replacement of all corroded and damaged sections,” the statement said.
The company said: “with the successful restart of production, NPDC will now progress its field development plan. It is anticipated that production will increase to 8,000 bopd by the end of 2014.”
The company noted that its entire development work was carried out by local contractors. “This further illustrates the company’s commitment to the Nigerian Content Policy of the Federal Government.”
OML 40 is one of the assets that were divested from Shell and NPDC took over the operatorship in January 2013. It is therefore a welcome development to achieve this first oil within one year of operations.
OML 40 is jointly owned by NPDC (operator) and Elcrest Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited.
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