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NNPC, Chevron JV Eye 165,000 bopd Oil Production Target By Dec 2024

NNPC Limited announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with its joint venture partner, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, CNL, to convert five of its JV assets to Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) terms.

According to Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the contract is projected to dramatically increase crude oil production, with the two partners aiming to achieve the 165,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) production target by the end of 2024.

Soneye explained that the transaction is in accordance with the PIA 2021 provisions for transitioning assets from the Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) to PIA terms, stating that under the new PIA regime, all existing Oil Prospecting Licenses, OPLs, and Oil Mining Leases, OMLs, will be automatically converted to Petroleum Prospecting Licenses, PPLs, and Petroleum Mining Leases, PMLs, upon expiration.

He said: “Nonetheless, an option of voluntary conversion is provided for holders of OPLs and OMLs (Operator, Licensees or Lessees) under the erstwhile Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) regime. The PIA terms are generally perceived as more investor-friendly, compared to the erstwhile PPTA terms.

“During a brief ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on Monday, the two partners signed documents on the conversion of five OMLs into four PPLs and twenty-six PMLs, in line with the new PIA terms, marking a significant step towards increasing domestic gas supply and expanding global market presence,” stated.

Group CEO NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, at the event, described CNL as one of the most reliable partners for NNPC Ltd.

He was quoted as saying: “Over the years, Chevron has been a partner of choice that has not contemplated completely divesting/exiting (oil production in) the shallow water and we are proud of them”..

Kyari assured CNL that NNPC Ltd would sustain its partnership with the JV partner to create more value for both parties and expand Nigeria’s footprints in the domestic and export gas markets.

He commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, for its exemplary role in mid-wifing the conversion.

Also speaking, the Director, Deepwater and Production Sharing Contract, CNL, Mrs. Michelle Pflueger who stressed the significance of the conversion for both companies, affirmed CNL’s long-standing commitment to the assets.

On her part, NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, highlighted the advantages of the PIA terms over the previous PPT terms, noting that the conversion was a strategic move towards the successful implementation of the PIA.

NNPC Ltd’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, noted that the conversion of the assets is expected to significantly boost crude oil production, with the two partners focusing on attaining the 165,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) production target by year-end 2024.

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