NNPC discovers hydrocarbons in shallow Nigerian waters
- JV partners drilled a discovery in Songhai field in OML 85.
- The well encountered hydrocarbons across eight reservoirs.
Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPC) and joint venture partner FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Co. Ltd. (FIRST E&P) discovered hydrocarbons in Songhai field in OML 85 in the shallow offshore region of Bayelsa, Nigeria.
The well spudded on Nov. 18, 2024, as part of efforts to increase and sustain the JV’s oil production over the next 5 years. It was successfully drilled to a total depth of 8,883 ft MD in 30 m of water.
The well encountered hydrocarbons across eight reservoirs, logging over 1,000 ft of hydrocarbon-bearing sands, most of which exhibit excellent reservoir properties. Preliminary analysis indicates substantial oil and gas volumes, reinforcing the field’s commercial potential. Further evaluations, including formation testing and well-data integration, will be conducted to refine resource estimates and optimize field development plans.
Currently, the JV maintains a steady daily production of about 57,000 bo/d from OML 83 and 85 assets.
Alex Procyk | Upstream Editor
Alex Procyk is Upstream Editor at Oil & Gas Journal. He has also served as a principal technical professional at Halliburton and as a completion engineer at ConocoPhillips. He holds a BS in chemistry (1987) from Kent State University and a PhD in chemistry (1992) from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).