Nigerian Geochemist Pushes for Smarter, Sustainable Oil Production with New Scientific Evidence
Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen and modernise its energy sector are receiving a significant boost from new scientific insights, as petroleum geochemist Dr. Omonigho Khalin Egbo advances research aimed at improving oil production efficiency and long-term planning. In an interview with The Guardian, Dr. Egbo explained that his work is designed to help the federal government strengthen energy security, grow national revenue, and improve the management of crude oil resources.
Dr. Egbo, a leading expert in petroleum systems analysis, has authored several peer-reviewed studies published in respected international journals, including the Journal of African Earth Sciences and the Journal of Research in Environmental and Earth Sciences. These studies are increasingly being used by policymakers and industry players as scientific guides for refining performance and oilfield management.
His latest research, released in August 2025 and titled “Biomarker Fingerprinting of Crude Oils from Niger Delta Depobelts, Nigeria,” examined 28 crude oil samples across four major depobelts in the Niger Delta Basin. The study identified two distinct oil families with clear differences in their organic origins, depositional environments, and thermal maturity. Notably, Dr. Egbo found no major signs of biodegradation or water washing, confirming that these oils retain high quality — a crucial factor for refining, export value, and revenue optimisation.
Building on earlier work, including his 2020 geochemical investigation that used advanced techniques such as SARA fractionation, GC-FID, and biomarker ratio analysis, Dr. Egbo stressed that geochemical fingerprinting is essential for smarter drilling strategies, more accurate reserve estimates, and improved investor confidence. By defining whether oils are paraffinic, naphthenic, or aromatic, these tools help guide decisions on production, refining processes, storage requirements, and pricing models.
Dr. Egbo’s work has also gained international recognition, highlighted by presentations at the 30th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG 30) in Nairobi, Kenya. There, he underscored how data-driven science can lead to cleaner, more efficient, and more profitable oil development. He emphasized that Nigeria’s energy future depends on evidence-based policies, adding that his mission is to provide the scientific foundation needed to manage the country’s oil resources more sustainably and effectively.
source: The Guardian