The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s crude oil production will soon experience a major increase following the completion of a new offshore production facility.
Komolafe conveyed his optimism in a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, on Thursday, after inspecting the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel at Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates.
The inspection formed part of the Commission’s regulatory oversight to evaluate the vessel’s readiness for sail-away to Nigerian waters.
According to the statement, “The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, has expressed delight over the impending increase in oil production.
“The CCE shared his view during an official visit to Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates, as part of regulatory oversight of the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel’s sail away readiness.”
The EMEM FPSO, being converted for Oriental Energy Resources Limited, is expected to be deployed to the Okwok Field—operated by Oriental Okwok Limited—offshore Nigeria.
During a four-hour detailed inspection, the NUPRC boss examined critical components including the Oil and Produced Water Treatment Unit, Gas Injection Modules, Seawater Treatment Facilities, Gas Turbine Generators, Electrical House, LACT Unit, Laboratory, Control Room, and Accommodation Quarters.
The walkthrough allowed the Commission to verify the vessel’s compliance, quality, and overall readiness for deployment.
Once operational, the EMEM FPSO will oversee crude production, processing, storage, and offloading operations at the Okwok Field—one of Nigeria’s vital offshore assets projected to contribute significantly to the country’s production targets.
The development comes at a crucial time as Nigeria intensifies efforts to ramp up output to meet its OPEC+ quota and restore investor confidence in the upstream sector.
After the tour, Komolafe described the vessel’s impending deployment as timely and aligned with the Commission’s “Project One Million Barrels” initiative.
He stated, “This FPSO is coming to Nigeria at a time we are seeking to increase production. It will help us achieve our project, One Million Barrels. From what I have seen, I am very impressed, and as the regulator, we will continue to give support to Oriental Energy.”
Komolafe further encouraged Oriental Energy to participate in the upcoming licensing round, commending the company’s demonstrated capacity and commitment to Nigeria’s oil and gas growth.
“We advise that you participate in the next licensing round at least to optimise your capacity. We are convinced that Oriental Energy has the capacity to contribute to our national development,” he added.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Engineer Goni Sheikh, lauded the NUPRC’s consistent support and regulatory collaboration.
He said, “We have engaged with your team, and they have been working around the clock, including Saturdays and Sundays, to beat the timelines and attain this. And we must also say that since the start of this project, we have received 100 per cent support from the NUPRC. We thank the regulator for the support, oversight, and guidance that the regulator gives us. You are truly a business facilitator.”
The Okwok Field Development Project marks a key milestone in Nigeria’s upstream sector, underscoring growing indigenous capacity and technical advancement.
The project involves converting Nordic Mistral, a double-hulled crude tanker with one million barrels of storage, into a fully integrated FPSO with an expected 15-year operational lifespan.
The EMEM FPSO has a processing capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), 70,000 barrels of liquid per day (BLPD), and features systems for produced water treatment (60,000 BWPD), water injection (60,000 BWPD), gas processing (15 MMSCFD), gas lift (7.5 MMSCFD), and gas injection (3.5 MMSCFD). It also accommodates up to 100 personnel and employs a 12-point spread mooring system.
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