Gas supply in the country received a significant enhancement as the NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture (JV) announced an increase of 135 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d), further bolstering the nation’s energy security.
This achievement, realised through a rigless recompletion of a key non-associated gas well in OML 17, is regarded as a pioneering effort, being the first of its kind in the nation, and it doubled the gas output of the JV. Before this achievement, the well responsible for the new output had been shut in due to high water production.
Instead of drilling a new well or conducting a traditional workover, Heirs Energies executed a rigless through-tubing recompletion into an unexplored reservoir interval. Completed safely and in record time, this operation cost only 15 per cent of the expense associated with drilling a new well, establishing a new benchmark for rigless solutions within Nigeria’s upstream sector.
A statement from Chidimma Ugbojiaku, the Head of Corporate Communications at Heirs Energies, noted that this notable increase in production has revolutionised power generation across the eastern network. Transcorp PLC – TransAfam Power has increased its output fourfold, growing from an average of 50 megawatts to over 180 megawatts, with peaks reaching 200 megawatts.
Additionally, it was reported that other power plants served by the network, such as First Independent Power Limited (FIPL) and Geometric Power, have also experienced improved operations and elevated generation levels.
“All power plants now receiving gas from the Joint Venture have seen their combined output rise from around 100 megawatts to over 350 megawatts. This rise in power generation provides sufficient energy to support hundreds of thousands of households and businesses – alleviating blackouts, aiding hospitals and schools, and ensuring that factories, small businesses, and essential infrastructure remain operational,” part of the statement indicated.
News: NOSDRA Warns Against Oil Spillage
Mrs Olu Verheijen, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, praised the accomplishment. “I congratulate the entire Heirs Energies team on this outstanding success, which showcases the strength of Nigerian engineering talent and the importance of continuous technical innovation. You have my unwavering support as you expand your operations within the energy sector, unlocking further oil and gas resources to energise homes, industries, and commercial activities across the nation,” remarked Mrs Verheijen in a message directed to Heirs Energies CEO, Osa Igiehon.
Igiehon stated, “This milestone is yet another proof of Heirs Energies’ exceptional abilities in managing brownfields. The creativity, diligence, and resilience of our fully Nigerian workforce made this achievement achievable. We remain dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s gas-to-power agenda through responsible, performance-oriented, and innovation-driven upstream operations.”
Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President of Upstream at NNPC Ltd, stated: “This inventive initiative reflects NNPC’s strong dedication to unlocking the country’s gas resources in the interest of national development. The performance of the NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture illustrates the strength of collaboration, disciplined implementation, and innovation in delivering significant value for Nigeria.”
The NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture continues to pursue gas-focused, innovation-driven initiatives aimed at increasing domestic gas supply, enhancing electricity generation, building local capacity, and supporting broader economic and industrial growth. This recent triumph reinforces the JV’s resolve to provide energy that powers homes, industries, and contributes to national prosperity.
