Mr. Oladimeji Bashorun, MD/CEO of Energia Limited
…Indigenous operators have become increasingly important to Nigeria’s upstream industry understanding local operating environment.
…Energia gas facility capacity is 65 million standard cubic feet per day.
-Felix Douglas
Energia Limited, an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company, has reported more than 1,000 per cent growth in its oil reserves, from five million barrels to approximately 61 million barrels, highlighting the role of indigenous operators in strengthening Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to production growth, infrastructure development, local technical capacity and community investment as it marked 25 years of operations.
The company disclosed this in a remark delivered by Muaz Obadaki, Subsurface Manager on behalf of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oladimeji Bashorun at a pre-conference workshop organised by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), ahead of its 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition.
The remark highlighted the contributions of indigenous operators to Nigeria’s upstream sector, stressing that the industry’s future depended on the ability to translate the country’s abundant oil and gas resources into sustainable production, improved energy security and long-term economic value.
Energia, established in 2001, recorded its first oil from the Ebendo field in 2009, a milestone the company said laid the foundation for subsequent growth.
Its production history reflected further progress, with milestones recorded in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2026, according to the address.
The company also disclosed that it had expanded its portfolio through interests in additional assets, including PML 210, EPL 210 and PPL 212, creating opportunities for diversification and long-term value creation.
It noted that sustainable growth required not only strong current performance but also disciplined investment and preparation for future production.
According to Bashorun, indigenous operators have become increasingly important to Nigeria’s upstream industry because of their understanding of the local operating environment, proximity to host communities and familiarity with the domestic business landscape.
However, he stressed that these advantages must be supported by technical excellence, commercial discipline and effective operational execution.
The Energia MD emphasised that production growth went beyond asset ownership, requiring efficient reservoir management, targeted investments, improved recovery techniques and stronger technical capabilities to unlock the potential of mature fields, marginal assets and underdeveloped resources.
On infrastructure, Bashorun highlighted the importance of gas processing, storage and evacuation systems in supporting production and ensuring reliable energy delivery to the market.
The company disclosed that it had invested in a gas processing facility with a stated capacity of 65 million standard cubic feet per day, alongside dual evacuation routes and more than 150,000 barrels of storage capacity.
It warned that inadequate infrastructure could constrain production, delay investments and result in lost economic opportunities.
The company also called for increased investment in gas infrastructure to expand domestic energy supply, support industrialisation and improve Nigeria’s overall energy security.
On local content, Energia argued that the industry must move beyond local participation towards greater Nigerian ownership of technical expertise, innovation and value creation.
It called for sustained investment in professional training, knowledge transfer and exposure to increasingly complex technical assignments to prepare Nigerian professionals for leadership roles across the petroleum value chain.
The company further underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, regulators, investors, financial institutions, service providers, industry associations and host communities in building a sustainable upstream industry.
On community development, Energia disclosed that it had invested approximately N55 billion in community initiatives and continued to allocate three per cent of its annual revenue to community development.
It maintained that the success of such investments should be measured by their impact on local capacity, economic opportunities and the overall well-being of host communities, rather than expenditure alone.
Looking ahead, Energia identified five priorities for strengthening Nigeria’s upstream industry: maximising value from existing assets, accelerating technology adoption and data-driven decision-making, expanding infrastructure investment, improving access to capital through stronger governance and project economics, and continuing to invest in human capital while integrating environmental and social considerations into business decisions.
Bashorun said these priorities were interconnected, noting that technology required skilled personnel, infrastructure enabled production, investor confidence supported capital access, and sustainable operations depended on effective stakeholder engagement.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to operational excellence, responsible resource development, strategic partnerships and long-term value creation, adding that indigenous operators had a significant role to play in meeting Nigeria’s future energy needs.
The Energia MD urged the government to maintain a stable and enabling business environment, investors to support commercially viable opportunities, service providers to innovate and host communities to remain active development partners.
Bashorun pointed out that strengthening Nigeria’s upstream industry required collective responsibility and sustained collaboration to improve energy security, develop the country’s petroleum resources and deliver lasting benefits to future generation.
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