NNPC, Newcross restart production at Awoba Field, target 12,000bpd by May

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its joint venture (JV) partner, Newcross Exploration and Production Ltd, have restarted production at the Awoba unit field in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

According to a statement on Tuesday by NNPC, the field last contributed production to the Bonny Terminal in 2021 and was finally shut down in February 2022 over evacuation issues and crude oil theft.

“Since the restart of the Awoba field by NNPC Ltd and it partners on April 13, 2024; production from the field has averaged 8,000 barrels per day and is expected to plateau at 12,000 per day at full ramp up within 30 days,” NNPC said.

“Awoba is also expected to significantly boost gas supply to the power sector and other gas-based industries.

“The Awoba Unit which straddles OMLs 18 and 24 is located in the mangrove swamp south of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Both OML 18 and OML 24 assets are under the management of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).”

NNPC said it has been recording a string of production successes from the JV portfolio which have significantly lifted the country’s production. 

“Besides the recent start of production at the Madu Field by the NNPC Ltd/First E&P JV, the company has achieved the restart of production at OMLs 29 and OML 18 in late 2023 which have steadily contributed an average of 60,000bpd to the nation’s production output since their restart,” NNPC said.

Speaking on the development, Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd, ascribed the achievement to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Kyari said Tinubu’s government has created an atmosphere that makes it possible for businesses to prosper.

He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders — staff, operators, host communities, government security agencies, and private security contractors — who played a pivotal role in making the achievement possible.