NUPRC CCE evaluates FPSO’s compliance, quality assurance, sail-away readiness — says ‘I’m impressed with progress’

Oredola Adeola

The first fully funded and converted EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel by Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL), is now set to depart Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for Nigeria, after missing its earlier scheduled departure date in the first quarter of 2025.

The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, recently led a regulatory oversight visit to the facility at Dubai Drydocks World (DDWD) in the United Arab Emirates, where the FPSO conversion is being completed.

Commenting on the inspection, which was conducted in line with the FPSO vessel’s sail-away readiness, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe said the walkthrough provided the Commission with an opportunity to evaluate the project’s level of compliance, quality assurance, and overall readiness for deployment to Nigeria.

The NUPRC Chief Executive undertook a four-hour comprehensive tour of the Dubai Drydocks World facility, inspecting key components of the FPSO, including the Oil and Produced Water Treatment Unit, Gas Injection Modules, Seawater Treatment System, Gas Turbine Generators, Electrical House, LACT Unit, Laboratory, Control Room, and Accommodation Quarters.

Komolafe, in his comment after the tour, described the FPSO’s planned departure to Nigeria as “a positive milestone,” noting that it aligns with the Federal Government’s Project One Million Barrels Initiative, aimed at boosting national crude oil output.

“This FPSO is arriving at a crucial time when Nigeria is focused on ramping up production. It will contribute significantly to achieving our One Million Barrels target.

“I am impressed with the progress so far, and as the regulator, NUPRC will continue to support Oriental Energy,” he said.

He also urged Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Indimi, Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, and his team to participate in the next licensing round, citing the company’s proven technical and operational capacity to undertake more projects in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.

Further findings by Advisors Reports revealed that the vessel, which has a production capacity of 30,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), is now scheduled to depart Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for Nigeria in the first quarter of 2025.

The EMEM FPSO owned by an indigenous oil and gas company, is designed to serve as the crude oil production, storage, and export facility for the company’s Okwok Field Development offshore Nigeria.

With the deployment of the EMEM FPSO now running behind schedule, Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL) is expected to achieve first oil from the Okwok field by late 2025 or early 2026.

Initially, the vessel will produce 17,000 barrels per day, with output expected to ramp up to 30,000 bopd as production stabilizes.