The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s crude oil production will soon receive a significant boost following the completion of a new offshore production facility.
Komolafe made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, after an official visit to Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates. The visit was part of the Commission’s regulatory oversight to assess the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel’s readiness for deployment to Nigerian waters.
According to the statement, the EMEM FPSO is being converted for Oriental Energy Resources Limited and will be deployed to the Okwok Field, operated by Oriental Okwok Limited, offshore Nigeria.
During a four-hour inspection, the NUPRC boss examined critical facilities, 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.
Komolafe stated that the FPSO’s imminent deployment marks a positive development for Nigeria’s upstream sector, aligning with the Project One Million Barrels initiative — a national plan to raise daily crude production by one million barrels.
“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 said.
He also encouraged Oriental Energy to participate in the next oil licensing round, citing the company’s demonstrated technical and operational capacity.
“We advise that you participate in the next licensing round at least to optimise your capacity. We are convinced that Oriental Energy has the capability to contribute meaningfully to our national development,” he added.
In his remarks, Engineer Goni Sheikh, Executive Vice Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, commended the NUPRC for its continuous guidance and support throughout the project.
“We have received 100 per cent support from the NUPRC since the start of this project. The Commission has been a true business facilitator, ensuring we meet our timelines and maintain regulatory standards,” Sheikh said.
The Okwok Field Development Project represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry and showcases the country’s growing indigenous technical expertise.
The project involves converting the Nordic Mistral, a double-hulled crude oil tanker with a 1 million-barrel storage capacity, into a fully integrated FPSO designed for a 15-year operational lifespan.
The EMEM FPSO features a processing capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), 70,000 barrels of liquid per day (BLPD), and includes 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).
With accommodation for up to 100 personnel and a 12-point spread mooring system, the vessel is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s offshore production capacity — contributing to the country’s efforts to meet its OPEC+ quota and attract renewed investment in the upstream oil sector.
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