The Minister of State Petroleum Resources(Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has charged oil producers in the country to put their oil fields to work or relinquish them, declaring that the
era of renewing licenses without development is over.
Senator Lokpobiri gave charge while addressing a distinguished gathering of the Oil producers trade section (a group by the five oil giants operating in Nigeria) at the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.
“We cannot afford to hold valuable fields in perpetuity,” he stated. “It’s either you put them to work or relinquish them. The era of renewing licenses without development is over.”
He said. the government’s recent initiative to launch bid rounds for thirty-one(31) oil and gas blocks will be a cornerstone of Nigeria’s strategic development.
He therefore, called for greater commitment from industry players to support Nigeria’s ambitious plan to increase oil production by over one million barrels within the next 24 months.
The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication,
Nneamaka Okafor, outlined Nigeria’s dual approach to ensure the future of its petroleum industry by focusing on maximizing crude oil production and adapting to a cleaner energy transition.
“In the short term, our focus remains on increasing revenue from crude oil production,” Lokpobiri stated, affirming the government’s commitment to addressing operational bottlenecks and upgrading infrastructure.
Recognizing the urgency of cost reduction, he highlighted government measures aimed at streamlining operations, particularly upstream activities, to remain competitive in a fluctuating global market.
A significant part of the government’s vision involves balancing energy demands with environmental considerations.
Lokpobiri noted, “The world is moving toward cleaner energy, and Nigeria must be part of that transition.” The government has prioritized natural gas as a cleaner alternative while actively exploring renewable energy options to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix.
The Minister extended an invitation to industry players to embrace investment in cleaner, more sustainable methods, stressing that Nigeria’s transition will remain pragmatic and focused on local priorities.
Acknowledging the persistent security challenges in the Niger Delta, the Minister reported ongoing efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil infrastructure through enhanced security measures.
“We are engaging communities and encouraging partnerships that foster local ownership of critical assets,” he said.
Efforts include increased military support, particularly from the Nigerian Navy and Joint Task Force (JTF), combined with community engagement and economic empowerment initiatives to combat pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
The government has also implemented technology-driven solutions, including drone and satellite surveillance, to enhance the security framework and detect potential threats to the industry.
