The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, weekend, issued a caveat against heightened expectations of an early discovery of crude oil and gas in the north, warning that discovery of hydrocarbons in the region might not be immediate, as it might take years or decades to achieve, Vanguard newspaper reports.
Speaking during the Presidential Spud-in (drilling) of Kolmani River II Well, in Barambu community in Alkaeri Local Government Area, between Bauchi and Gombe states, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru, warned that oil was discovered in Niger Delta after 50 years of searching, while in some other countries, it took several decades and search in numerous wells before the discovery.
He called for patience from the president, who gave them the marching orders to search for crude in the north, from people of the North-East zone and the entire Nigerians.
He said: “It usually takes time for oil to be discovered. In Niger Delta basin, it took over 50 years for explorations to discover crude oil. ‘’Niger Republic drilled over 600 wells over many years before they discovered crude oil, therefore, Mr. President, patience is of essence here.” Baru, however, assured that the NNPC will leave no stone unturned in executing the directive of the Presidency, while assuring that the NNPC would sustain the intensity of the ongoing oil and gas exploration in the inland basins.
