By
Ayodeji Dedeigbo
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits in Kolmani River II Well on the upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin, in the North-Eastern part of the country.
It would be recalled that drilling of the Kolmani River II well was flagged-off in a colourful ceremony by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2nd of February 2019.
A press release by the Corporations Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji, stated that NNPC acquired 435.54km2 of 3D Seismic Data over Kolmani Prospect in the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin.This was to evaluate Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) Kolmani River 1 Well Discovery of 33 BCF and explore deeper levels.
A dril stem test (DST) is currently ongoing to confirm the commercial viability and flow of the Koamni River reservoirs.
The Corporation explained that on Thursday, 10th October, one of the reservoirs was perforated and hydrocarbon started flowing to the well head in which the gas component was flared to prevent air charge around the rig.
Preliminary reports indicate that the discovery consists of gas, condensat and light sweet oil of API gravity ranging from 38 to 41 found in stacked siliciclastic Cretaceous reservoirs of Yolde , Bima Sandstone and Pre-Bima formations.
The computation of hydrocarbon volume is ongoing and will be announced in due course, Samson said.
It could be recalled that during the spud-in ceremony of Kolmani River II, President Muhammadu States the commitment of his administration to exploration for oil and gas in the frontier basins in the entire length and breadth of the country. The basins include: the Benue Trough, Chad Basin, Sokoto and Biada Basins.
He also stated that attention would be given to the Dahomey and Anambra Basins which have already witnessed oil and gas discoveries.
