Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has tasked petroleum engineers and other industry professionals on supporting the drive to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2030.
Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE) and its Executive Committee in Abuja on Saturday, Lokpobiri said that the administration had taken deliberate steps to expand oil production and develop the infrastructure required to handle increased volumes.
Lokpobiri, who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Business, Kroky Biowe, said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained committed to achieving energy sufficiency.
“I need you to support the Federal Government by sharing your knowledge and wealth of experience to enable us collectively achieve Mr President’s production target of 3m bopd by the year 2030. It is possible,” he said.
The minister described the theme of the event “Assets, Talent and Integrity: Engineering Nigeria’s 3 Million BPD Target”, as laudable, stressing the need for good subsurface and surface assets, talent and integrity to achieve the country’s production aspiration.
He said that the government was developing more fields and building new infrastructure to handle incremental crude oil volumes.
Lokpobiri said that the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had recently concluded a bid round in which 31 companies won 37 oil blocks.
He described the development as part of deliberate efforts by the Nigerian government to stimulate investment and expand Nigeria’s production base.
According to him, the project has the potential to attract between 15 billion dollars and 21 billion dollars in investment.
He added that the project was projected to achieve peak production of about 175,000 barrels of oil per day.
“These and many other projects and initiatives are deliberate steps being taken by this Government to enable us achieve three million barrels of oil per day in 2030,” he said.
The minister urged the newly inaugurated Fellows, National Chairman and Executive Committee members of NIPetE to collaborate with stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain.
He said that such collaboration would provide the technical support required to achieve the Federal Government’s production target.
Lokpobiri also described the emergence of Dr. Yetunde Aladeitan as NIPetE National Chairman as another significant milestone.
He commended Nigerian women in the oil and gas sector for their contributions to the industry and efforts toward achieving the country’s 3m bpd production target by 2030.
In her speech, Aladeitan said that her administration would reposition NIPetE as a major catalyst for transforming Nigeria’s energy sector.
She said the first six months of her leadership would focus on rebuilding the institution, strengthening relationships with industry stakeholders and laying the foundation for a new era of professionalism and impact.
She said NIPetE would intensify engagement with government agencies, regulators and operating companies while establishing a formal framework for quarterly roundtable discussions and joint industry projects.
On policy advocacy, Aladeitan said the institution would establish a policy advisory council to develop white papers on the Petroleum Industry Act, fiscal reforms and value-chain optimisation.
She added that NIPetE would establish a formal mentorship and internship programme linking young engineers with industry leaders and pursue partnerships to strengthen human capital development.
GIK/APA