NNPC to resume oil drilling at Kolmani after two-year hiatus — Ojulari
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced its intention to restart crude oil drilling at the Kolmani oil field, which lies along the border between Bauchi and Gombe States. This decision marks a return to activity at the site, which has remained dormant for nearly two years.
The disclosure was made by Bayo Ojulari, the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, during an interview with the BBC on Monday.
Ojulari confirmed that preparations are already in progress to recommence operations on the project, which was first initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We will continue to collaborate with the government on the Kolmani development and other similar areas. In addition to crude oil drilling, we will ensure that the gas pipeline project running from Ajaokuta to Kano is completed,” Ojulari said.
He added that the revival of these projects would make it possible for previously shuttered businesses in the region to reopen, creating the potential for new enterprises to emerge as well.
“These developments will bring widespread benefits to the area, stimulating economic growth that will have a ripple effect across the country. It is essential that we return and carry on with this work,” he remarked.
Ojulari also underlined that NNPCL is now fully committed to breathing new life into the Kolmani project, which is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s oil output and provide fresh economic prospects for the North.
He noted that local communities viewed the initiative as a step toward securing a stronger role for the region in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, which has historically been concentrated in the southern part of the country.
The move to revive drilling in the North comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic difficulties. It also aligns with wider efforts to enhance domestic oil production and reinforce national energy security.
The Kolmani oil field came into the national spotlight in 2019, when NNPC reported the discovery of sweet crude, natural gas, and condensates at the site after drilling 13,701 feet. This discovery was hailed as Northern Nigeria’s first significant oil find and laid the groundwork for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, according to reporting by Nairametrics.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique, is expected to host ten new offshore drilling ventures between 2026 and 2027. These projects are part of a wider push to expand deepwater exploration and bolster Africa’s position in the global energy market.
Separately, Udobong Ntia, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President of Upstream, has advocated for the involvement of third-party operators to revitalise dormant or underperforming oil assets. He noted that such partnerships could help raise production levels and improve government revenue streams.
