Nestoil Group has reactivated a drilling rig that had remained idle for about eight years, deploying it to carry out workovers on two producing wells in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 as the indigenous energy company moves to strengthen Nigeria’s oil production capacity.
The rig, Pathfinder 500, was mobilised to the field by Nestoil’s drilling subsidiary, Scorpio Drilling International. The company said the rig successfully completed the workover operations without any reported Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) incidents before it was demobilised from the site.
According to Nestoil, Pathfinder 500 was one of two rigs acquired at a combined investment of about $28 million, alongside the Scorpio 300. The company said the recent deployment marked the first time Pathfinder 500 had been put to work since its acquisition about eight years ago, highlighting its strategy of investing in locally owned drilling assets rather than relying solely on hired rigs.
Chairman of Nestoil/Neconde Group, Dr Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, said the decision to own and operate rigs was driven partly by the cost of hiring drilling equipment and the need to develop Nigeria’s local drilling capacity. He explained that the rigs would allow the group to undertake workovers, revive ageing wells and potentially drill new wells as OML 42 continues to mature. He also noted that the refurbishment, crewing and operation of Pathfinder 500 were handled by Nigerian personnel.
Nestoil, through its subsidiary Neconde Energy, holds interests in OML 42, a legacy asset formerly operated by Shell. The group said having two operating rigs gives Scorpio Drilling International a stronger position in Nigeria’s drilling industry, while supporting the redevelopment of OML 42 and creating capacity for additional in-field drilling. The move could also help unlock production from existing wells and contribute to Nigeria’s broader efforts to raise crude oil output.
source: Leadership
