Nestoil Deploys $28m Drilling Rig to Boost Niger Delta Oil Production

Nestoil Group, an indigenous oil firm, has deployed its Pathfinder 500 drilling rig to support efforts to raise oil production from Oil Mining Lease 42 in the Niger Delta. The $28 million acquisition of the rig, which was idle for eight years, marks a major milestone for the company and demonstrates Nigeria's growing indigenous drilling capacity.

The Pathfinder 500 was deployed by Scorpio Drilling International, a strategic business unit of Nestoil Group, for workover operations on two producing wells in OML 42. According to Ernest Obiejesi, Chairman of Nestoil/Neconde Group, the decision to acquire the rigs was driven by the need to develop dependable local drilling capacity rather than remain heavily dependent on hired rigs.

The successful deployment of the Pathfinder 500 has provided the confidence needed to proceed with Nestoil's planned in-field drilling programme. Obiejesi described the workover campaign as a 'genuine success story' and a demonstration that indigenous companies can build and operate drilling capacity in Nigeria.