Oil Minister Hails Local Producers As First E&P Targets 100,000bpd With Abigail FPSO

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has praised the contribution of indigenous companies to Nigeria’s quest to boost oil production.

Senator Lokpobiri who gave the commendation during an inspection visit to Abigail Joseph Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility, operated by the NNPCL-First E&P Joint Venture on OML 83/85, lauded the company for ramping up output.

Currently producing at 60,000 barrels per day, the FPSO is on track to achieve 70,000 bpd in the near term, with plans to scale up to 100,000 bpd.

Senator Lokpobiri, in a statement by his media aide, emphasized the strategic importance of the facility.

“The ongoing work here reflects our collective efforts to increase Nigeria’s crude production. 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. This is a vital step toward achieving our national production targets.”

Also speaking, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Managing Director and CEO of FIRST E&P Limited, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering results.

“We are fully committed to meeting and surpassing our current production goals. With the support of our partners and ongoing de-bottlenecking initiatives, we are confident of achieving 70,000 bpd and eventually 100,000 bpd in record time.

This project underscores the capability of indigenous companies to deliver on ambitious targets,” he noted.

Mr. Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO) of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), assured the Minister of the joint venture’s alignment with national objectives.

“The milestones achieved here at Abigail Joseph FPSO are a testament to NNPCL’s determination to deliver results through strategic partnerships and innovative approaches. With the stir of the GCEO We are committed to meeting the Minister’s directive to ramp up production in no distant time,” Wunti said.