In a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and
economic growth efforts, the NNPC Ltd has officially unveiled its latest crude oil
grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, before the international crude oil market.

It would be recalled that in July, 2024, NNPC Ltd and its partner, the Sterling Oil
Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Ltd introduced the Utapate
crude oil blend, following the lifting of first cargo of 950,000 barrels which headed
for Spain.

During a ceremony held at the Argus European Crude Conference taking place in
London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC E & P
Limited (NEPL), Mr. Nicholas Foucart described the introduction of the Utapate
crude oil blend into the market as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s crude oil
export to the global energy market.

“Since we started producing the Utapate Field in May 2024, we have rapidly
ramped up production to 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) with minimum downtime.
So far, we have exported five cargoes, largely to Spain and the East Coast of the
United States; while two more additional cargoes have been secured for November
and December 2024, representing a significant boost to Nigeria’s crude oil export
to the global market,” Foucart told a packed audience of European crude oil
marketers.
He added that since its introduction into the global market, the Utapate crude oil
blend has enjoyed a positive response from the international crude oil market, due
to its highly attractive qualities.
Foucart said the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13, fully operated by NEPL and Natural
Oilfield Services Ltd (NOSL), a subsidiary of SEEPCO Ltd, boasts a huge reserves of
330million barrels of crude oil reserves, 45 million barrels of condensate and 3.5 tcf
of gas.
“We have a number of ongoing projects to increase our production from the
current 40,000bopd to 50,000bopd by January 2025 and 60,000bopd to
65,000bopd by June 2025. Essentially, we are targeting opportunities to increase
production to 80,000bopd by the end of 2025,” Foucart added.He said the Utapate crude oil terminal is sustainable, affordable and fully compliant
with the rigorous environmental regulations and sustainability principles especially
those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and other ecological effects.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Trading Ltd (NTL), Mr. Lawal Sade
said the pricing structure of the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to that of
Amenam crude as it is a light sweet crude which is highly sought after by refiners
across the world due to its low sulphur content, efficient yield of high-value
products, API gravity and other similarities.
He said in bringing the new crude oil blend to the global market, NNPC Ltd wanted
to optimise value for both its producers and counterparties across the globe.
He added to ensure predictability and sustainability of supply, the NNPC Trading
intends to run a term contract on the Utapate crude oil blend cargoes, principally
targeting off-takers from the European and the US East Coast refineries.
Produced from the Utapate field in OML 13 in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, the
Utapate crude oil blend is similar to the Nembe crude oil grade. It has a low sulphur
content of 0.0655% and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, fitting
perfectly into the required specification of major buyers in Europe.
The NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a
manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local
communities.
The Utapate field development plan, executed between 2013-2019 and approved in
October, included converting wells and facilities from swamp/marine to land-
based operations.
The plan involved a multi-rig drilling campaign for 40 wells and the development
of significant infrastructure such as production facilities, storage tank, a subsea
pipeline and an offshore loading platform to facilitate crude oil evacuation and
loading.

The entry of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market is coming barely a year
after the NNPC Ltd announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the
NNPC/Aiteo operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 Joint Venture (JV).

In a statement by Olufemi O Soneye Chief corporate communications officer NNPCL said the remarkable achievement signals the commitment of the NNPC Ltd to
increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves through the
development of new assets.

Nasir Buba has voiced dissatisfaction with the AIG Zone One’s conclusion, despite submitting over 1000 pieces of evidence alleging illicit affairs between Auwalu Danladi Sankara and his wife, Tasleem.

Contrary to his expectations, the police found no prima facie case against the suspects, effectively clearing them of wrongdoing.

Addressing Journalists, Tuesday the Complainant said he tendered before the Police 854 pictures, 150 pages of WhatsApp conversations between Auwalu and Tasleem, explaining that he obtained the evidences from his wife’s phone.

The complainant however said he would not take any further decision since the office of the AIG which is the highest Police authority in Kano vindicated the duo, noting that he has chosen to put his trust in divine justice.

Also in his response, Counsel to Mr. Buba, Barrister Rabi’u Sidi expressed his surprised with the Police finding despite the plethora of evidences tendered to them.

He added that the complainant was not in court the day it delivered the ruling and according to him was not represented by his lawyer.

“As complainant we’re necessary and very important party to this case. We were not informed of the day the court delivered its ruling, discharging Auwalu and Tasleem.” The Counsel argued.

He Counsel stated that the legal team of the complainant will sit down and study the findings of Police

Justice Watch News, earlier reports that the Kano State Upper Shari’a Court presided over by Ibrahim Sarki Yola terminated the case against Auwal Danladi Sankara and Tasleem Baba Nabegu.

He said his position predicated upon submissions of AIG Zone One Kano and Legal Advise from Kano Attorney General

Barrister Abba Hikima has announced a public interest lawsuit against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over recent policies allegedly targeting vulnerable Nigerians. Hikima argues that actions criminalizing scavenging, petty trading, and begging disproportionately affect impoverished citizens and infringe on their rights.

“These are not crimes,” Hikima stated. “The government cannot impose economic hardship on the populace while dictating standards of decency. Vulnerable Nigerians have the right to exist and express their struggles, even if it unsettles the authorities.”

The lawsuit challenges the FCT administration’s failure to provide adequate welfare and opportunities for citizens. Hikima contends that the government must either support vulnerable groups or accept their visible presence in public spaces, including the FCT.