OML 98: FG, Pan Ocean in negotiation

The Federal Government has entered into negotiations with Pan Ocean Oil Corporation to resolve the issues surrounding Oil Mining Lease, OML, 98 in the Niger Delta. From left: Senator Albert Akpan, Chairman Senate Committee on Gas; Igala E.A, Pan Ocean Gas Plant Manager; Senator Foster Ogola, Member Senate Committee on Gas; Senator Barnabas Gemade, Member Senate Committee on Gas; during the visit of the Senate Committee on Gas to Pan Ocean Ovade-Ogharefe Gas Plant in Delta State. According to a source close to the matter, another meeting had been scheduled by both parties, for early next month to iron out all matters regarding the asset.

The source noted that Pan Ocean had agreed to work with the government to ensure smooth resolution of the issue as soon as possible. The source disclosed that, “As a matter of fact, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources led by the Hon Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu and Pan Ocean are currently engaging in high-level negotiations to resolve the issues of outstanding payment as well as related projects tied to the Joint Venture, JV, and other assets within the vicinity of OML 98.” The source explained that OML 98 has a history of more than 40 years, as such, it is a more delicate and complicated relationship between the Joint Venture partners, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) represented by

NAPIMS – the investment and management arm of NNPC and the Pan Ocean Oil Corporation. OML 98 is located in the Northern Delta Depobelt, and in the northern fringe of Niger Delta Basin. OML 98 covers an area of 523 km² in Edo and Delta State. Fields within the block includes the Ogharefe, Ologbo, Asaboro, Adolo, Owe, Ossiomo, Ona and Erimwindu fields. Pan Ocean commenced crude oil production at the Ogharefe field (OML 98) with an initial production of about 11,000 barrels per day, BPD, in 1976. In December 1975, Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL, 70/71 was converted to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 98. Pan Ocean has been in a Joint Venture with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in respect of OML 98. As a Joint Venture (JV) partner, the NNPC has 60 percent working interest in OML-98 while Pan Ocean has 40 per cent. Vanguard