Who Owns The Oil Blocks?

Senator Ita Enang

A few days ago, there was some furor about Northerners owning 85% of Nigerian oil blocks. This allegation was raised by Senator Ita Enang. This did not go down well with Nigerians. The Niger Deltans were the ones most hurt by this "revelation". At least one activist from this region has been quoted on the pages of newspapers ranting and "directing" the president to revoke the licenses/concessions, etc.

Well, we now know this to be largely untrue. It now seems this was a planned distraction from Senator Enang to justify a present or future move by Mr. President on allocation of oil blocks or marginal blocks in his regime.

Before we show the real list, as recently published by Thisday, lets first go to class and educate ourselves on the jargons (oil block, OPL, OML, marginal fields, etc) and the workings of thee "allocations".

Pardon my laziness as I lean heavily on my friend, Adebayo Ajagunna and ThisDay on this one.

This is how d Exploration and Production business works:

What we call an "oil block" is acreage of Nigerian fields which investors can apply for to explore and based on their findings produce hydrocarbons. Based on data, Nigeria is mapped into fields. If you want to and you have the technical knowledge and financial muscle and you can use available data to identify a field you want to invest in, you bid and get an OPL (Oil Prospecting License) if successful. That is what is called a "block" when you get the OPL, there is no guarantee you will find oil. You spend millions of dollars drilling exploration and appraisal wells and doing data analysis to determine how much oil is on the acreage and how you can cost effectively get it out. You can spend millions on exploration and when you now have what is known as "proven reserves" based on a combination of your findings from exploration, analysis of geological and geophysical data and application of some petroleum economics principles, you apply to d government for a mining lease which is what is known as an OML (Oil Mining Lease) it is when you start mining that you get revenue, you recover the cost of your exploration and you begin to pay government revenue and royalties depending on whether your contract with government is a JV (Joint Venture) or PSC (Production Sharing Contract) or whatever contract you have with the government.

For every successful OML there are two or three OPLs that failed commercially. The system essentially passes all the risk of exploration to the investor. Very few Nigerian banks will support you in exploration; they only want to come in when you have proven reserves, so whoever pulls the deal together must be able to reach far for the level of financing required.

Thanks Bayo.

 So in the list you would see below, which focuses on indigenous ownership alone (no IOCs), I would prefer you focus on the OMLs because that is where we really have the producing assets. However, some of the OPLs quoted below have since transitioned to OMLs after successful exploration.

A detailed breakdown of indigenous concessions and their directors/shareholders are shown in the table below:

Indigenous Operators

S/No	Name of Operator	LicenCe	Year of Award	Names of Directors/shareholders
1	Alfred James Petroleum	OPL 302	1991	Adewunmi Sijuade, Goke Sijuade, Adedeji Sijuade, Olayinka Sijude, Adeyemi Osiyemi and Femisola Awosika, with A.O Adeyinka as Chairman
2	Soglas Nigeria Limited	OPL 226	1991	Oscar P. Udoji, P.E Udoji, E.E. Nwosu, with J.O. Udoji as Chairman
3	NorthEast Petroleum	OPL 215, 840 &902	1991	Kommer Complex Limited, Nwokema Ngozi Mbu, Abubakar Jubril and Ashiru B. Aliu, A. Ayankoya with Saleh Jambo as Chairman
4	Optimum Petroleum	OPL 310	1992	R.D. Adelu, Yusuf N'jie and O.A. Aremu with Ibrahim Bunu as Chairman
5	Sunlink Petroleum	OPL 238 & OPL 311	1993	Olaniyi Olumide, Hayford Alile, Samuel Bolarinde, Richard Adelu, Martins Olisa, John Brunner and Emmanuel Ojei
6	Express Petroleum	OPL 108 & 227	1995	Ahmade Rufai, Tajudeen Dantata, Dalhatu Gwarzo, Lawan Omar with Aminu Alhassan Dantata as Chairman
7	Dubril Oil Co. Nigeria	OPL 96	1987	B.N. Itsueli, C.A. Itsueli, O.O. Itsueli, A.E. Ihuegbu with U.J. Itsueli as Chairman.
8	Amni Int. Petroleum	OPL 112 &117	1998 &1999	E.C Edozien, Tunde Afolabi with Sanni Bello as Chairman
9	Atlas Petroleum Int. Nig Ltd	OPL 109	1996	Umaru Ndanusa, Ikechukwu Joseph, Mohammadu Murtala with Arthur Eze as Chairman
10	Consolidated Oil	OPL 103, 458, 136	1993, 1998 &2006	O. Adenuga and Ebi Omatsola with Mike Adenuga as Chairman
11	Oriental Energy Resources	OPL 115	1999	Usman Danburan, Jibril Mohammed Indimi with Senior Mohammed Indimi as Chairman
12	Cavendish Petroleum Nig. Ltd	OPL 110	1996	Gambo Gubio with Mai Deribe as Chairman
13	Allied Energy Resources Nig. Ltd	OPL 120 & 121	2001	Mickey Lawal  as Director with Kase Lawal as Chairman
14	Peak Petroleum	OPL 122	2001	Adekunle Olumide, W. Bolaji, Florence D. Oluokun and Ayodeji Oluokun with M.A. Oluokun as Chairman
15	Summit Oil Nig. Limited	OPL 205 and 206	1990	L.K.O Abiola, Radio Communications Nig. Ltd with M.K.O Abiola as Chairman
16	Crownwell Petroleum Ltd	OPL 305 AND 306	1993	S.K Adejumo with Sair Kuashi as Chairman
17	Famfa Oil Ltd	OPL 216 (OML 127)	1993	Folorunso Alakija wit Modupe Alakija as Chairman
18	MoniPulo	OPL 114, 239, 234, 231	1999, 2008, 2008, 2007	F.A. Agama with O.B. Lulu Briggs as Chairman
19	Yinka Folawiyo Pet. Company	OPL 113	1998	S.T. Folawiyo, T.B Folawiyo with W.I Folawiyo as Chairman
20	Zebbra Energy Limited	OPL 248	2004	S.A. Oloko, Boni Madubunyi, Zimako O. Zimako with A.B.C. Orjiako as Chairman
21	Oil and Gas Limited	OPL 249 and 140	2003, 2006	M.O. I drisu with Reggie Uduhim as Chairman
22	Continental Oil and Gas Limited	OPL 59	1998	Agbolade Paddy, Subair Shefiu with Mike Adenuga as Chairman
23	Emerald Energy Resources	OML 141	2001	J.O. Amaefule, P.L. Caldwell, A.C. Uzoigwe, Amos NUR, C.N. Chieri, Femi Akingbe, F.A. Njoku with Emmanuel Egbogah as Chairman
24	Oranto Petr. Limited	OPL 320	2002	Arthur Eze as Chairman
25	Dajo Oil Limited	OPL 320	2004	R.B. Domingo, M.O. Domingo, U.R. Domingo with Domingo Obande as Chairman
26	Malabu	OPL 245		Dan Etete as Chairman
27	Orient Energy	OPL 915, 916		N. Nwawka with Emeka Anyaoku as Chairman
28	Sahara Energy Exploration	OPL 284, 228, 332	2005, 2006	Buba Lawal, Cole Tonye, Odunsi Ade as Diectors
29	Enageed Resources Limited	OPL 274	2007	Buba Lawal, Cole Tonye, Odunsi Ade as Diectors
30	Seplat	OPL 4, 38, 41	2010	A.B.C. Orjiako and Austin Avuru
31	Ekcrest E & P Limited	OPL 40	2012	Emeka Offor as Chairman
32	First Hydrocarbon	OPL 26	2011	O.A Azazi as Chairman
33	Neconde	OPL 42	2011	Amesi Azudialu, John Umeh, Nnenna Obijesi
34	Niger Delta Western	OPL 34	2012	Olayiwola Fatona, David Richards, P.O. Balogun, T. Omisore
35	Transcorp	OPL 281	2011	Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola, Funso Lawal, Jacob Ajekigbe, Tony Ezenna, Ndi Onyiuke Okereke, Fola Adeola and Nicholas Okoye
36	Starcrest, Cross River Energy & NPDC	OPL 242	2011	Emeka Offor, Chris Garuba
37	Starcrest	OPL 291		Emeka Offor, Gidado Idris, Yzoni Yaw
38	South Atlantic (SAPETRO)	OPL 264 (130)	1998	Miguel Guerrero, Joy Ikiebe, Guerrrero, with T.Y. Danjuma as Chairman
39	Oando	OPL 278, 236	2005, 2006	Magoro, J.A. Tinubu, O. Boyo, M.O. Osunsanya, O. Adeyemo, O. Akpata, Oba Gbadebo, A. Peppe and Appiah Korang
40	Ashbert	OPL 325		Albert Esiri, Ifeoma Esiri
41	Oil World	OPL 241	2007	Gbenga Olawapo, Adekunle Akintola, Ibukun Olawepo, Rachael Akintola
42	Pan Ocean	OPL 98, 275	1976, 2007	F.A. Fadeyi, M.D. Yuduf, S.D. Adeniyi
43	Cleanwater Consortium	OPL 289	2007	Arumeni-Ikhide Joseph, Okey Nzenwa, Abu Ibrahim
44	Afren Global Resources	OPL 907, 917	2005, 2008	Rilwan Lukman, Osmah Shahenshah, Evert Jan Mulder, Peter Bingham, Guy Pass, Bet Cooper, Constantine, Egbert Imomoh
45	Centrica/CCC/All Bright Consortium	OPL 276, 283	2005, 2006	Jake Mirica, John Sheers
46	Gas Transmission & Power Ltd	OPL 905	2005	Ahmed Joda, Babangida Hassan Katsina, Makoji Aduku, Abubakar Joda
47	Global Energy Company Limited	OPL 135	2005, 2010	S.A. Onabiyi, M.A. Koshoni, T.T. Anyansho, J.N. Obiago
48	New Nig. Devt. Company	OPL 733,809, 810,722		Northern State governors
49	Tenoil Petroleum Energy Services	OPL 2008	2007	Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola, Funso Lawal, Jacob Ajekigbe, Tony Ezenna, Ndi Onyiuke Okereke, Fola Adeola, Nicholas Okoye, with Elumelu as Chairman

Marginal Fields Operators

S/No	Name of Company	Licence	Year of Award	Names of Directors/Shareholders
1	Niger Delta Company	Ogbele (OML 54)	1999	Aret Adams, Uduimo Itsueli, Sammy Olagbaju, David Richard, Udi Ibru and Fatona Layi
2	Prime Petr. Ltd &  Suffolk Petr	Asaramaroru (OML 11)	2003	MacPepple Henry,  Macpepple Joy, Macpepple Emmanuel, Macpepple Elfrida and Macpepple Victoria
3	Oriental Energy	Owok (OML 67), Ebok	2006, 2007	Alhaji Indimi, Usman Danburran
4	Universal Energy	Stubb Creek Field (OML 13/14	2003	Amana Nkoyo, Mianaekere Nelson, Abubakar Hayatou, Mboho Emmanuel, Ekpo Akpan, Inyang Etim (Akwa Ibom Govt)
5	Eurafric Energy Limited	Dawes Island (OML 54)	2003	Onoh Anthony, Onoh Christiana, Onoh Ngozi, George Udoekong, Nwauche Eastus
6	Pillar Oil Limited	Umusati/Igbuku (OML 56)	2003	Onosode G.O, Fadahunsi O, Amakiri J., Hassan-Katsina Usman, Tonwe Basife, Obaseki Godwin, Akoyomare Ambrose, Fisher Abayomi, Anaekwena Anthony, Avuru Spencer, Onosode Spencer, Hassan-Babangida
7	Bayelsa Oil Company	Atala (OML 46)		Bayelsa Govt, Brigidi David, Alamieyesheiga Anitonbrapa, Ifimain Ekine, Jonathan Selereipre, Enddeley Francis, Chinwetelu Chris, Willians E.J., Aliyu Abubakar
8	Movideo E&P	Ekeh (OML 88)		Idau Sadiq, Jacobs Kayode, Enahoro Victor, Mohammed Aishatu, Tugger Yusuf, Okwuaive Iyabo, Sadare Raymond
9	Bicta Energy	Ogedeh (OML 90)		Adesemowo G.A, Bashir MM, Onumodu Soye, Akinro C.A, Malberbe T. Unejei T
10	Guarantee Petrr & Owena Oil	Ororo (OML 95)		Rufus Giwa, Ayodele Johnson, Fayose Abiodun, Unuigbe Odion, Omobomi Samuel, Rotimi Luyi, Adefarati Tunde, Duyie Korede, Ojo Segun, Ogedengbe Dele, Aidi Abass, Adegbonmire Wunmi, Amoye Mofisco, Ebiseni Sola, Oladunni Solomon, Agoi-George Segun, Akinruntan F.E, Hassan AlGazali, Eburajolo Victor, S.A. Ajayi
11	Platform Petroleum Limited	Egboma (OML 38)		Edmund Daukoru, Avuru Austin, Amachi Moshe, Adegoke Oluwafeyisola, Addo-Bayero Nasir, Ewendu Chidi
12	Sogenal Ltd	Akepo (OML 90)		Funso Lawal, Joda Abubakar, Harriman Hope, Odu Bunmi, Edohoeket Samuel, Yahaya Mohammed, Dada Nicholas, Yellowe Kenneth
13	Chorus Energy	Amoji (OML 56)		Akerele Chris, Mamman Samaila, Ihetu G.S. Braide Kombo, Banks Nigel, Clubb James, Uhuegbulem Ben, Baba Gana Abba
14	Millennium Oil and Gas	Oza (OML 11)		Ali Chris, Maseli John, Karrs Sastry, Shama Yogi, Igweze Emeka, Bashir Farouk
15	Brittania U-Nigeria	Ajapa (OML 90)		Ifejika Uju, Ifejika Emmanuel, Omu Paul, Otiji Igwe, Ikpeme Ita, Cardoso Tokie, Okonkwo Annie, Inua Mogaji, Mbanefo Louis, Ombu AVM, Horsfall A.K., Ukpong Uche, Ogoro Emomena, Ifejika E.I, Umar Alhaji, Ikpele A.O
16	Network E & P	Qua Iboe (OML 13)		Ajose Adeogun Ladi, Adesomoju Akin Alex -Duduyemi, Adewusi Adebowale, Ifode Yeletide, Gasau Ismaila Musa, John Etop, Olagbede Olufemi
17	Waltersmith Petroman & Morris Petr.	Ibigwe (OML 16)		Isa Abdulrasak, Saleh Danjuma, Utomvie Nyingi, Ita Princess, Okoli Ndubuisi, Kakpovie Anthony, Okpala Eugene, Idrisu Mammudu, Idrisu Lawal, Isokrari Ombo, Nzeakor Nick, Abdulsalami Abdul, Nwabudo Ignatius
18	Midwestern Oil & Gas & Suntrust Oil	Umsadege (OML 56 )		Igbokwe Ken, Afejuku Anthony, Daultry Akpeti, Sagoe Kweku-Mensah, Gambo Lawan, Oshevire William, Mordi Sylvanus, Maidoh Daniel, Fatayi-Williams Babatunde, Mohammed Waziri, Emerhor Otega, Dublin-Green Winston, Mohammed Abubakar, Oduah Stella, Okafor Ugo and Baba-Ahmed Mouftah
19	Independent Energy Limited	Ofa (OML 30)		Ikelionwu Emeka, Ohunmwangho Steve, Yar'Adua Murtala, Okudu Anthony, Bello Shamsudeen, Obaoye Michael, Monanuma
20	Del Sigma	KE (OML 55)		Amachree Sokeiprim, Ungbuku K.D., Bakut J.I, Chaff Kabiru
21	Associated Oil & Dansaki Petroleum	Tom Shot Bank (OML 14)		Machunga Laraba, Gwadah Bitus, Balat Isaiah, Uzor Azuka, Ibok Udo, Uzoechi Isaac, Kadiri Samuel, Afolabi Aderenlr, Yinka Aina
22	Frontier Oil Limited	Uquo (OML 13)		Dada Thomas, Lolomari Odoliyi, Kolade Victor, Yisa Solomon, Nwasikeobi, Alechenu Emmanuel, Bello Falalu
23	Energia Limited & Oando Prod. Devt Ltd	Ebendo/Obodeti (OML 56)		Horsfall A.U, Aribeana Stephen, Shawley Cooker, Bello Lawal, Ene Emeka, Afolabi Ade, Coker Sam, Esiri Albert, Dibiaezue Ifeoma, Hammad Charles, Macgregor Olushola, Oando
24	Goland Petroleum Devt. Company	Oriri (OML 88)		Kingsley Ngelale, Mogaji Gambo, Slako Johnson, Anthony Dotimi
25	Excel Exploration & Production	Eremor (OML 46)		Abiodun Awosika as shareholder
26	Sahara Energy & African Oil Ltd.	Tsekelewu (OML 40)		Baba Lawal, Cole Tonye, Odunsi Ade, Adeniji Titi, Akinla Ladipo, Bently John, Ciroma Musa, Odili Obi F., Du-Frayer
27	Green Energy International Ltd	Otakikpo		A.A. Olojede as shareholder
28	All Grace Energy	Ubima (OML 46)		Adeola Adenikinju, Sola Alabi

(Source: Thisday Newspapers - http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/real-ownership-of-indigenous-oil-blocks-revealed/142113/ ).

OPL - Oil prospecting license

OML - Oil mining Lease (this is where production is happening!)

IOC - International Oil Company

Offshore - Oil fields located in the sea within a specific near shore distance 

Onshore - Oil fields either located on land or on swamp riverine areas

Deep offshore - Oil fields located well beyond our continental shelf in ultra deep sea areas which also require very specialized prospecting and mining equipment.

Marginal field - a proven or producing oilfield with economics of scale favoring only operators with low overheads. While marginal fields have historically been allocated by NNPC after being farmed out by the IOCs, in recent times SPDC sold a lot of marginal fields, as part of their onshore divestment strategy, to independent local operators.

In the final Analysis, Senator Enang was wrong!

SAN