Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), says the federal government will prioritise independent producers for future exploration bids.
The minister spoke during the recent Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) annual dinner.
Speaking at the event, Lokpobiri said the independent petroleum producers are an integral part of the country’s ability to meet its energy needs.
“Most of the IOCs want to sell their crude abroad. But some of you (the independent players) are owners of modular refineries,” Lokpobiri said.
“We are fixed up in a major challenge. By the time you increase your production, you will be contributing immensely to our energy needs as a country and you will fix our forex that will be available for other sectors.
“Whatever we can do, I can assure you we will do it. I want to say that going forward, it is important that when we want to do anything bid round, the boys shouldn’t come, let the men alone come.”
He said one of the things authorities have uncovered is that there are a large number of operators with licences with no capacity for oil exploration and so “it ends as souvenirs in their cupboard.”.
“So, going forward, the members of IPPG, please get ready for any other bid round. I want to assure you that you the men will be the ones to be considered,” he said.
“To me, if I give anybody any licence, and the person wears some nice suit and starts roaming around the world, looking for investments, I have cost him more pain.”
Lokpobiri said operators “who have already proven capacity should be the people that we should prioritise in terms of future bid rounds”.
Meanwhile, the minister enjoined companies to ensure that they pay their taxes.