Yemisi Izuora/Ijeoma Agudosi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,has projected that Nigeria’s crude oil production would increase by 200,000 barrels per day by the first quarter of 2018.
The NNPC, said this would be made possible with the commissioning of the Umblical Flow-lines and Risers (UFR) for the Egina Deep Offshore Project.
Speaking during the Load out Ceremony of the UFR for the Egina project by Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, in Port-Harcourt, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru also restated the commitment of the corporation to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.
Baru disclosed that the module will guarantee the drilling of the first oil from the 200, 000 barrels per day Egina field by the first quarter of 2018″
He commended Saipem on the successful completion of the Egina UFR project which also involves the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and pre-commissioning of 52 kilometers (km) of oil production and water injection flow-lines; 12 flexible jumpers; 2km of oil export line; 20km of gas export pipelines alongside the installation and commissioning of 80km of steel tube Umbilical and mooring FPSO and Offshore Loading Terminal. (OLT).
He said: “What is being celebrated is the efficacy of the Nigerian Content Act and the NNPC is strongly committed to the successful implementation of all provisions of the Act.”
Also speaking, Managing Director of Total, Nicholar Terahz, said the Egina project was the largest contributor to the development of the Nigerian content in the oil industry being the largest offshore project currently going on in the country.
He noted that the employment opportunities and technology transfer the project had generated contributed significantly to the nation’s economy.