In a groundbreaking achievement for Nigeria’s energy sector, the NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture has successfully doubled its gas production to 135 million standard cubic feet per day through a pioneering rigless recompletion technique—the first of its kind in the country.
The innovative intervention has transformed power generation across Nigeria’s eastern network, with TransAfam Power plant quadrupling its output from 50 megawatts to more than 180 megawatts, reaching peaks of 200 megawatts. Combined with increased generation from First Independent Power Limited and Geometric Power, the total power output has surged from around 100 megawatts to over 350 megawatts—enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses while reducing blackouts and keeping critical infrastructure operational.
The success centers on a well that had been shut in due to excessive water production. Rather than drilling a new well or undertaking a conventional workover, Heirs Energies engineered a rigless through-tubing recompletion into an untapped reservoir interval. Completed safely and in record time, the operation cost just 15 percent of what drilling a new well would have required, setting a new standard for rigless solutions in Nigeria’s upstream sector.
Mrs Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, congratulated Heirs Energies CEO Osa Igiehon, stating that the achievement is a testament to the strength of Nigerian engineering expertise and the value of persistent technical innovation. She assured continued support as the company expands operations to unlock additional oil and gas resources nationwide.
Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President of Upstream at NNPC Ltd, emphasized that the innovative intervention demonstrates NNPC’s strong commitment to unlocking the nation’s gas resources in support of national development, noting that the performance shows the power of partnership, disciplined execution, and innovation in driving substantial value for Nigeria.
Osa Igiehon described the milestone as another testament to Heirs Energies’ leading capabilities in managing brownfields, crediting the ingenuity, thoroughness, and resilience of the company’s 100 percent Nigerian workforce. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s gas-to-power agenda through innovation-led, responsible, and performance-driven upstream operations.
Source: championnews.com.ng