The Joint Venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Heirs Energies has recorded a major industry milestone with the rigless recompletion of a non-associated gas well in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17—an operation that has doubled gas production from the asset.
Heirs Energies’ spokesperson, Chidimma Ugbojiaku, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday, describing it as a landmark achievement that is already bolstering gas supply to Nigeria’s domestic market.
According to her, the intervention has raised output to 135 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscf/d), significantly improving the country’s energy supply chain and strengthening national energy security efforts.
Ugbojiaku explained that the additional gas is translating directly into improved power generation across the eastern part of the national grid.
She noted that TransAfam Power, one of the major receivers of the gas supply, has witnessed a remarkable rise in generation capacity—moving from roughly 50 megawatts to more than 180MW, with occasional peaks of 200MW.
Other power firms, including FIPL and Geometric Power, have also recorded more stable operations and noticeable increases in output.
“Altogether, electricity generated from JV-supported power plants has surged from about 100MW previously to over 350MW,” she said.
Ugbojiaku added that the improvement is reducing outages, allowing hospitals, schools, and industries across the region to operate with fewer disruptions.
Giving further insight, Ugbojiaku said the well that delivered the breakthrough had been shut down for years due to excessive water production.
Instead of drilling an entirely new well, a costly and time-consuming option, the JV adopted a rigless, through-tubing recompletion, targeting an untapped reservoir within the structure.
She said the operation was executed safely, completed ahead of schedule, and at just 15 per cent of the cost of drilling a new well.
“This approach sets a new standard for cost-efficient and high-impact field development in Nigeria,” she noted.
Presidential Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, welcomed the achievement and praised Heirs Energies’ Chief Executive Officer, Osa Igiehon, describing the feat as “a demonstration of Nigerian engineering capability and leadership in innovative field solutions.”
Verheijen assured the company of continued federal backing as it advances more gas-focused projects aimed at supporting the country’s economic diversification plans.
NNPC Ltd.’s Vice President for Upstream, Udy Ntia, said the success of the intervention aligns with the company’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s vast gas reserves and enhancing production across its portfolio.
“The performance of the JV clearly shows that strong partnerships and technical innovation can unlock significant value for the country,” he stated.
Similarly, Seyi Omotowa of the Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS) described the operation as a model for the type of creativity required to optimise Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources while maintaining strict safety and operational standards.
Heirs Energies CEO, Osa Igiehon, attributed the success to the dedication and expertise of the company’s entirely Nigerian workforce.
“This achievement reflects the ingenuity and resilience of our people,” he said.
He reaffirmed the JV’s commitment to championing gas development, noting that reliable gas supply is central to expanding Nigeria’s power generation capacity.
The company also reiterated its focus on delivering sustainable, innovation-driven energy solutions that support Africa’s broader development aspirations.
