NNPC’s Abigail Joseph FPSO records 60,000 bpd crude oil production

Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), says the Abigail Joseph floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility, has ramped up output.

The facility is operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited/First Exploration & Production joint venture (JV) on oil mining lease 83/85.

Speaking on Wednesday during an inspection of the facility offshore Bayelsa state, Lokpobiri said Nigeria’s commitment to boost crude oil production is making significant strides.

Currently producing 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), the minister said the FPSO is on track to achieve 70,000 bpd in the near-term — with plans to scale up to 100,000 bpd.

“This is what strong partnership can do between NNPC and their local partners. We are here today, we are seeing that they are doing about 60,000 barrels a day, which is very commendable,” he said.

“We want to use the opportunity to call on other players in the industry to please also do what this company is doing.”

The minister said the government is committed to ensuring that the country hits a minimum of 2 million barrels by the end of December.

“You can recall that our 2025 budget is predicated on 2.06 million barrels a day and we believe it is achievable,” he said.

“The ultimate target is to see how we can get 2.5 million barrels, 3 million barrels by the end of the year 2025.

“I’m also happy to hear that First E$P and the partners are now embarking on a drilling campaign of about 23 wells and you know what that means.”

Lokpobiri said the country can increase production by ensuring that “we have a sustainable drilling campaign”.

In April, the NNPC and First E&P commenced oil production from OML 85, also known as the Madu field.