The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) will resume oil drilling in the Kolmani region by June 2025, contrary to recent speculation suggesting a halt in northern exploration activities.
Newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, confirmed the development during an interview on BBC Hausa, where he emphasized that the Kolmani oil field, located at the Bauchi-Gombe boundary, remains a high-priority national project.
Ojulari stated:
“NNPC will continue oil drilling in the Kolmani field and also proceed with the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline. The companies working on these projects will resume next month, and new partners are welcome.”
Kolmani Project: Strategic National Asset
In 2019, the NNPC discovered significant hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well within the Upper Benue Trough. By 2022, commercial drilling began, backed by over $3 billion in investment. The Kolmani field holds over a billion barrels of oil and 500 billion cubic feet of gas, offering vast economic potential for employment and foreign investment.
The renewed activity in the North signals a strategic shift toward diversified energy development and underscores the federal government’s focus on boosting local energy capacity.
Pipeline Expansion and National Impact
Ojulari also confirmed progress on the AKK gas pipeline, which is expected to connect Ajaokuta, Kaduna, and Kano, significantly enhancing domestic gas distribution and industrialization in northern Nigeria.
“These projects are essential for Nigeria’s economic future, and the positive impact will be felt across the country,” he said.
Dangote Refinery Dispute Resolved
Ojulari addressed past tensions between NNPC and the Dangote Refinery, stating that the disagreement has been amicably resolved.
“We must applaud Dangote’s investment in Africa. We’re now working in full cooperation, and disputes won’t play out in the media anymore.”
Nigeria Hits 3-Month Oil Output High
Separately, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported that crude oil production increased to 1.486 million barrels per day (bpd) in April, a modest rise from March’s 1.401 million bpd.
This brings Nigeria’s crude production to 99% of its OPEC quota. Including condensates, total production hit 1.68 million bpd, marking the country’s highest monthly output in three months.
NUPRC highlighted that April’s average production included 1,485,700 bpd of crude and 197,607 bpd of condensate, with a peak of 1.73 million bpd recorded.
This continued growth reflects Nigeria’s improved security efforts in oil-producing regions and reinforced commitment to restoring output levels.
