Uche Usim, Abuja
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, has hinted about finding oil at the Kolmani River-II Well which spud-in was flagged off last month by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Receiving officials of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) in his office, Baru disclosed that a depth of 6,700 feet has so far been reached in the operation.
He explained that the target was 14,200 feet, although the depth could be longer depending on findings, even as he explained to the visiting PETAN Executive that President Muhammadu Buhari should be commended on the progress being made on the drilling of the well.
Prospecting for oil and gas in Kolmani River-II Well is one of the recent forays of the government into inland exploration in parts of the country.
The NNPC GMD also disclosed during the visit of the PETAN Executive that in furtherance of its African integration drive, the NNPC was considering extending the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna – Kano (AKK) gas pipeline system across the Sahara to Algeria in North Africa.
Baru who reaffirmed the Federal government’s plan to also extend the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to Morocco, commended PETAN for its contribution to the development of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of PETAN, Mazi Bank Anthony Okoroafor, commended Baru for engineering transformation in every aspect of the Petroleum Industry since his assumption of office.
He cited the resumption of exploration in the inland basins and the flag-off of Bonga Southwest project which has been in the shelf for more than 10 years as fruits of the GMD’s visionary leadership and doggedness.
He further explained that the association was committed to the realization of the nation’s 4million barrels per day production and 40 billion barrels reserve targets, adding that with Dr. Baru’s commitment, the targets would be achieved.