The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced plans to recommence crude oil drilling operations at the Kolmani oil field, which is located along the Bauchi-Gombe State boundary.
This relocation marks the return of activities nearly two years after the site was offline.
This development was disclosed by the new Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, during an interview with the BBC on Monday.
Ojulari confirmed that preparations are in progress to relaunch the project, which was initially inaugurated under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“We will continue to work with the government in Kolmani and other areas. Besides the oil drilling work, we will also ensure that we complete the gas pipeline project from Ajaokuta to Kano,” Ojulari said.
He added, “The projects would allow the previously closed businesses to be reopened so that they could continue to operate and open new ones. This will create benefits in the region, which will lead to the benefit of everyone because the wealth will grow. We have to go back and carry on with this work.”
Ojulari emphasized that NNPCL is fully committed to reviving the Kolmani oil field project, citing its potential to boost national crude oil output and unlock new economic opportunities for Northern Nigeria.
He added that residents see the resurgent drilling as a step towards making the area a major player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which has historically been concentrated in the South.
Nigeria is currently facing economic challenges, which coincides with the renewed efforts to resume drilling in the North. The program also forms part of bigger national initiatives to build up crude oil output and enhance energy security.