More Prospect of Nigerian Oil and Gas

Abuja, Nigeria | July 15, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

Nigeria is the 10th largest oil producer in the world and the third largest in Africa. Oil revenues account for about 95% of Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings.

Current daily production is typically limited by OPEC quota reductions . As a member of OPEC, Nigeria's oil production fluctuates in line with the cartel's response to world oil supply.

It is estimated that Nigeria has proven oil reserves totaling 35.2 billion barrels. Proven reserves are planned to be expanded to 40 billion barrels by 2010.

Most of Nigeria's crude oil production, comprising 10 major crude streams (including condensate), is light sweet crude, API grades 21-45, with a low sulphur content. Nigeria's marker crudes on the International oil market are Bonny Light and Forcados. Most of the crude oil in Nigeria comes from numerous, small, producing fields, located in the swamps of the Niger Delta, Anambra State, Benue State, Trough, Chad Basin, and Benin and product is exported through 7 terminals, and a number of floating production vessels. There are estimates of about 606 oil fields, most with less than 100 million bbls of extractable reserves. Marginal oil fields are also known.

It is estimated that Nigeria has about 176 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven natural gas reserves. However the lack of a gas infrastructure, means that about 75% of associated gas is flared and only 12% re-injected. Nigeria has set a goal of zero flare by 2010. The government also plans to raise earnings from natural gas exports to 50 percent of oil revenues by 2010.

Nigeria's downstream oil industry has four refineries with a approximate capacity of 438,750 bbl/d. However, the refineries often operate at 40% of full capacity. Shortages of refined product are frequent and imports are normally used to offset domestic demand. Nigeria has a robust petrochemicals industry based on its substantial refining capacity and natural gas resources. The petrochemical industry is focussed around the three centres of Kaduna, Warri and Eleme.

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources regulates the petroleum industry in Nigeria. The 100% state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has control over the industry via shareholding in all the companies involved and is responsible for setting wholesale and retail prices.

To pave up the way and encourage more rigorous economic cooperation with Nigeria, the D-8 organisation plans for an official  visit to this country led by the Secretary General, Dr. Dipo Alam, and meet the authorities there to discuss the way to intensify economic cooperation of Nigeria and her counterparts in D8 countries. Dr. Alam said that this visit will be scheduled shortly, and is aimed to gather a more extensive information to introduce economic prospects of Nigeria to the rest of D-8 countries.

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