The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has kicked off proper exploration of all inland basins in the country including the Sokoto basin.
Group Managing Director of the State-run oil firm, Dr Maikanti Baru, who disclosed this, said the NNPC has already procured aeromagnetic data on the Sokoto basin from the Nigerian Geophysical Survey as well as awarded contract for the mapping and procurement of apt samples to further the understanding of the area.
Baru informed that the NNPC has contracted its subsidiary, Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), to carry out various geochemistry investigations to boost the gathering and integration of all relevant data ahead of the planned procurement of seismic 2D data position which would in turn determine various prospects.
The NNPC boss also pledged to attend the forthcoming seminar on the Sokoto basin, noting that the corporation would use the platform to update and also share its knowledge of the basin with relevant stakeholders.
On the noticeable limited disruptions in supply of petroleum products due to the recently aborted labour strike, the GMD informed that the issues raised by labour have since been settled. He said normal loading activities have resumed in those areas affected by the industrial action.
At the meeting, the Sokoto State Governor appealed to the NNPC to activate oil and gas exploration campaign in the Sokoto Inland Sedimentary Basin with a view to establishing the volume and value of hydrocarbon deposits there.
Governor Tambuwal enthused that based on existing exploration records, it is likely that renewed search for oil in the basin would yield some positive results in the nearest future.
While commending the current administration for re-invigorating the quest for oil in the new frontiers, Mr Tambuwal noted that the successful search for hydrocarbon deposit in the basin would go a long way in increasing the nation’s oil reserve with the attendant value addition.
