NUPRC welcomes ExxonMobil's $1 billion deepwater investment and awards 19 oil licences
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC has praised ExxonMobil's commitment of $1 billion to the Usan Infill Project in Oil Mining Lease OML 138. This investment, announced during the 25th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference and Exhibition, is expected to boost production from the Usan field by approximately 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day. NUPRC Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemyiwa Eyesan, highlighted that this marks ExxonMobil's return to drilling activities in Nigeria after nearly a decade, signaling confidence in Nigeria's upstream petroleum sector and the reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act. Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria, an ExxonMobil affiliate and operator of OML 138, last undertook drilling operations in 2016. The NUPRC emphasized that such deepwater projects are crucial for achieving national production targets, increasing reserves, and sustaining government revenues. The commission also awarded 19 Petroleum Prospecting Licences PPLs to 12 successful bidders from the 2022/2023 Mini Bid Round and the Nigeria 2024 Licensing Round. Recipients included Broron Energy Limited PPL 2009, Petroli Energy Marketing and Supply Limited PPL 269, Sahara Deepwater Resources Limited PPLs 270 and 271, and Tulcan Energy E&P Company PPL 2008. These awards cover a diverse portfolio of deep offshore, shallow water, and continental shelf acreages, aiming to attract new investments, accelerate exploration, and expand hydrocarbon reserves. The
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Bedfordshire Police are searching for Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 42, also known as Mark, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage, in connection with the murders of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and their two daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five. The bodies were discovered on Monday after officers entered a house in Great Denham, Bedfordshire. Police believe Tshuma left Heathrow Airport on Saturday using his British passport and is now in Zimbabwe. Detective Inspector Lee Martin has appealed directly to Tshuma to surrender, emphasizing that the "criminal investigation knows no borders" and that national and international agencies are actively working to track him down. Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy described the incident as deeply distressing and stated that all necessary resources are being committed under Operation Snowdrift to find the person responsible. Police have increased their presence in the Great Denham area to support the investigation and reassure residents. Neighbors expressed shock and left flowers at the scene, remembering the mother as "gracious." Anyone with information is asked to contact Bedfordshire Police, quoting Operation Snowdrift.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated on Wednesday that opposition parties would likely allege electoral manipulation if President Bola Tinubu secures re-election in 2027. Akpabio made these remarks while hosting members of the City Boy Movement, a pro-Tinubu support group, at the National Assembly in Abuja. As the Grand Patron of the movement, Akpabio encouraged the group to intensify grassroots mobilization for Tinubu's re-election campaign. He expressed confidence in Tinubu's second term victory, despite anticipated criticism from the opposition. Akpabio emphasized that the movement would ensure Tinubu has agents in every polling unit to prevent a recurrence of votes allegedly lost during the 2023 election. He urged members and Nigerian youths to remain focused, avoid cultism and drug abuse, and participate actively in politics to shape the country's future. Earlier, Francis Shoga, Director-General of the City Boy Movement, said their visit aimed to strengthen collaboration with the National Assembly ahead of nationwide mobilization efforts, seeking guidance and support for their programs and civic engagement among young Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his dedication to project delivery, stating that Wike "does not sleep until the job is done." The President's remarks were made during the commissioning of the newly constructed Collector Road C01 and its bridge in Abuja's Institution and Research District. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu highlighted that the ongoing transformation in Abuja reflects his administration's broader development agenda for Nigeria. He emphasized that infrastructure is crucial for economic prosperity, attracting investment, and creating jobs. Tinubu noted that the road project addressed traffic congestion concerns raised by the Body of Benchers during a Nigerian Law School Call to Bar ceremony. He also mentioned that the construction generated hundreds of jobs and eased movement for students, lecturers, and residents. Wike, in his remarks, stated that this was the 21st project commissioned in the FCT under the current administration and thanked Tinubu for providing resources and removing the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account, which he said improved project delivery. The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, also spoke, highlighting the project's benefits for connectivity and adherence to the FCT Master Plan.