NNPC, Schlumberger Seal Deal to Boost Upstream Operations
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
NNPC Energy Services Limited (EnServ), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Schlumberger (SLB), a renowned global technology company, have signed a technical partnership agreement towards bolstering upstream operations.
The agreement was signed at the NNPC’s corporate Headquarters in Abuja , with senior management teams from both companies in attendance, according to a statement by the national oil company.
Speaking shortly after the signing, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari described the ongoing reforms within the industry as a trigger for potential release of investments in the short term.
“Quite a number of reforms are unfolding, and at the back of it is a potential release of investment that we are seeing in a very short term. Our physical environment is excellent today.
“Contracting processes have been reviewed by virtue of the clear reforms Mr. President has put in place and ultimately, we are already seeing substantial energy going into unlocking opportunities of today,” Kyari stated.
Highlighting the numerous benefits of the partnership, Kyari said it would lead to increased activity and more drilling campaigns that will add value to the two organisations.
He revealed that NNPC was working on a rig share platform with a definite plan around well drilling activities and associated operations in the coming years, which, he further explained, would increase crude oil production and support the ongoing plan to deepen gas utilisation within the country.
Kyari, who expressed confidence in the long-standing relationship between NNPC and Schlumberger , said the company would leverage on the assets within its control to accelerate the values that will come from this partnership.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Schlumberger, Mr. Olivier Le Peuch said the agreement was poised to accelerate the achievement of Nigeria’s exploration and production targets, which will foster Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity.
“We are here to celebrate the strategic partnership that we signed with EnServ as a technical partner. This agreement is geared towards unlocking the capacities of EnServ for Nigeria, which potentially will help NNPC to achieve its exploration and production targets,” he concluded.
