The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s crude oil production will soon experience a significant boost following the completion of a new offshore production facility.
Komolafe stated this in a release issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, on Thursday, after an official visit to Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates. The visit was to inspect the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, currently undergoing final conversion works ahead of deployment to Nigerian waters.
According to the statement, the visit formed part of the Commission’s regulatory oversight function to assess the vessel’s sail-away readiness.
Komolafe expressed delight at the progress of the project, saying the new facility would play a crucial role in increasing Nigeria’s production levels under the Project One Million Barrels Initiative, which aims to raise the country’s output by an additional one million barrels per day.
“This FPSO is coming to Nigeria at a time we are seeking to increase production. It will help us achieve our Project One Million Barrels target. From what I have seen, I am very impressed, and as the regulator, we will continue to give support to Oriental Energy,” Komolafe said.
The EMEM FPSO, being converted for Oriental Energy Resources Limited, will be deployed to the Okwok Field, operated by Oriental Okwok Limited offshore Nigeria. Once operational, it will handle crude production, processing, storage, and offloading, thereby contributing significantly to national output.
During a four-hour inspection, the NUPRC chief examined critical components of the vessel, including the Oil and Produced Water Treatment Unit, Gas Injection Modules, Seawater Treatment Facilities, Gas Turbine Generators, Electrical House, LACT Unit, Laboratory, Control Room, and Accommodation Quarters.
The inspection, according to the Commission, ensured compliance with regulatory standards and confirmed the vessel’s readiness for deployment.
Komolafe also encouraged Oriental Energy to participate in the upcoming licensing round, citing the company’s proven technical capacity and commitment to Nigeria’s energy growth.
“We advise that you participate in the next licensing round at least to optimise your capacity. We are convinced that Oriental Energy has the capability to contribute further to national development,” he said.
In his response, the Executive Vice Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Engr. Goni Sheikh, thanked the NUPRC for its continuous support and facilitation of investment-friendly policies in the oil and gas sector.
“We have engaged with your team, and they have been working tirelessly to meet timelines. Since the start of this project, we have received 100 per cent support from the NUPRC. You are truly a business facilitator,” Sheikh stated.
The Okwok Field Development Project is regarded as a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry, showcasing the country’s growing indigenous technical capability.
The project involves converting the Nordic Mistral, a double-hulled crude tanker with a one-million-barrel storage capacity, into a fully integrated FPSO with a 15-year operational lifespan.
The EMEM FPSO features a processing capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), 70,000 barrels of liquid per day (BLPD), and systems for produced water treatment (60,000 BWPD), water injection (60,000 BWPD), gas processing (15 MMSCFD), gas lift (7.5 MMSCFD), and gas injection (3.5 MMSCFD). It can accommodate up to 100 personnel and operates with a 12-point spread mooring system.
Post comments (0)