…says search in Benue attracting attention of IOCs
An expert has confirmed that the exploration of oil in the Benue Trough by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is attracting the attention of the international oil companies who are considering partnership with the national oil company.
President of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Engr Alex Tarka, said there is significant oil exploration going on in the region despite the effect of COVID-19 on the economy.
Tarka who spoke during a one-day virtual workshop for oil and gas media professionals, explained that the NNPC was pressing ahead with the oil drilling in the Benue trough for the benefit of Nigerian economy and her people.
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Tarka pointed out that the government needs not wait for investors to embark on oil exploration in the land, adding that its doggedness and the enabling environment would cause the latter to join in the search for oil.
Then NAPE boss commended his NNPC counterpart, Mr Mele Kyari, for leading the corporation on more oil search despite the challenges in the global oil environment.
Tarka said that the effort shows the current leadership of the state oil corporation was desirous of matching the nation along its 40 billion crude oil reserves target.
The training was aimed at enhancing robust reportage of the oil and gas industry as well as retool media practitioners covering the sector.
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The NAPE boss assured that the organisation would continually provide veritable platform for learning that would deepen the import of oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
In his paper, ‘Exploration and Production Value Chain, Business and Key Stakeholders,’ the executive director, Commercial and Strategy, Total Nigeria Plc, George Oguachuba, said the oil and gas industry generates 70 per cent Nigeria’s annual revenue.
He added that the sector also accounts for $100bn of total real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ over 400,000 people across the value chain.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), saying its passage would boost oil exploration activities in the country.
Speaking while delivering her paper, ‘Data and Digital Journalism: Effective Tools For Data Driven Reporting’, Yvette Dimiri, Growth Editor, Stears Business, emphasized the need for media houses to adopting digital journalism with a view to simplifying their writings to readers.
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Toyin Akinosho, Publisher, African Oil+Gas Report, in his paper, ‘Oil and Gas Reporting In The World Of Fake News’admonished energy journalists to be wary of fake news, which he said, can cause massive mistrust and confusion.
He added:”It also has a higher chance of being believed or shared since the networks are segmented so that it’s being shared with people that already have a bias and want to believe it is true story”
By Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja
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