News
Shell, Local Firm Sign First Seismic Contract
As part of efforts to consolidate implementation of policies to build in-country capacity to grow the oil and gas industry, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) and CB Geo-Solutions, an indigenous firm, last Friday, signed the first-ever contract for the acquisition and development of 3D seismic data services to boost oil and gas development and production in the Niger Delta.
Speaking shortly after signing the contract on behalf of SCiN, General Manager, Development, Bayo Ojulari, praised CB Geo-Solutions for blazing the trail in such a strategic field where only international oil companies (IOCs) had dominated in the past, and assured that if the trend is sustained, local companies may soon surpass the IOCs in providing quality seismic data services for the industry.
Ojulari said that as a top player in global oil and gas industry, Shell would continue to provide level-playing field for all companies, irrespective of domiciliation, to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, noting that companies like CB Geo-Solutions which excel in delivering quality services would continue to get support to prove their capabilities.
He cautioned the firm to pay priority to issues of HSSE, and play by acceptable industry rules, saying that diligence, accountability and transparency, commitment and honesty in all its activities would help sustain the momentum, and open the floodgates for more rewarding opportunities.
The general manager said that CB Geo-Solutions has proven that it can compete favourably with any IOCs which specialize in seismic data acquisition and development, and encouraged it to explore opportunities in other oil and gas fields in Africa, where IOCs control seismic data acquisition and management, for more breakthroughs.
In his remarks, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development (NCD), Igo Weli, said that Shell was leading the advocacy for local content development because of its conviction that the active participation of Nigerians in the industry would fast-track economic growth and engender sustainability by creating more jobs, empowering businesses and the people while at the same time securing the stability and security of the nation.
Weli expressed the hope that the emergence of CB Geo-Solutions as a certified pre-sack migration of 3D seismic data services provider for a major oil and gas player, Nigerian economy would soon galvanise potential resources available to drive sustainable development, and emphasized the need to increase local capacity and capability to support the industry grow.
Chairman, CB Geo-Solutions, Dr Bank Anthony Fubara, who also signed for the company, expressed satisfaction with Shell for making his dream of Nigerian companies participating as players in strategic areas of the industry a reality, saying that the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), have over the years relentlessly partnered Shell to achieve this goal.
Fubara, a one-time NSE and PETAN president, thanked Shell for the opportunity given CB Geo-Solutions to compete with leading industry players in seismic data acquisition and studies, and challenged other IOCs to emulate Shell by encouraging local companies to participate actively in the development of the industry.
Managing Director, CB Geo-Solutions, Chidiebere Offor, assured consolidation of gains already made by excelling in delivering quality jobs, saying the company would use the window provided by the one-year call-off contract to prove that indigenous companies can deliver internationally-acceptable quality seismic data services at reduced cost and time.
In their separate remarks, Shell Manager, Geo-Solutions, Sam Ezugworie, and Chief Geophysicist, Reginald Mbah, said CB Geo-Solutions exceeded expectations by professionally delivering, in record time, high quality 3D seismic data provided them as test study, noting that it was that feat that encouraged Shell to award the first-ever seismic data acquisition contract to an indigenous firm.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.