The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri has hailed the Abigail Joseph Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility’s, progress and its ambitious production goals.
The facility is reportedly operated by the NNPCL-First E&P Joint Venture on OML 83/85 with a quest to boost Nigeria’s crude oil production.
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Wedneday by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Nneamaka Okafor.
Currently producing 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), the statement said the FPSO is on track to achieve 70,000 bpd in the near term, with plans to scale up to 100,000 bpd.
Speaking at the site, Senator Lokpobiri emphasized the strategic importance of the facility, stating, that “the ongoing work reflects our collective efforts to increase Nigeria’s crude production”.
He said it is impressive to see such commitment from NNPCL and First E&P, especially as First E&P pursues a 23-well drilling campaign to sustain and enhance output.
He added that this is a vital step toward achieving the country’s national production targets.
Senator Lokpobiri lauded the role of joint ventures like the NNPCL-First E&P partnership in driving growth within Nigeria’s oil sector.
He urged other indigenous operators to leverage on the opportunities presented by ongoing reforms to further the country’s energy objectives.
The Managing Director and CEO of FIRST E&P Limited, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering results.
He added that they are fully committed to meeting and surpassing their current production goals.
He assured that with the support of their partners and ongoing de-bottlenecking initiatives, they are confident of achieving 70,000 bpd and eventually 100,000 bpd in record time.
He noted that the project underscores the capability of indigenous companies to deliver on ambitious targets.
Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO) of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS),
Bala Wunti, assured the Minister of the joint venture’s alignment with national objectives.
The Abigail Joseph FPSO according to the statement, stands as a symbol of progress and collaboration in Nigeria’s oil industry, demonstrating the transformative potential of indigenous-led partnerships and innovation in unlocking hydrocarbon wealth.
The statement added that with sustained efforts and strategic investments, the NNPCL-FIRST E&P Joint Venture is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the nation’s oil production capacity.