By Benson Daniel
Nestoil Group has deployed its Pathfinder 500 drilling rig to carry out workover operations on two producing wells in Oil Mining Lease 42, OML 42, as part of efforts to increase crude oil production from the Niger Delta asset.
The deployment was carried out through Scorpio Drilling International, the group’s strategic business unit responsible for its drilling operations. The campaign marks the first productive assignment of the Pathfinder 500 since the rig was acquired about eight years ago.
The Pathfinder 500 is one of two drilling rigs acquired by Nestoil Group under a combined investment of approximately $28 million. The second rig is the Scorpio 300.
The company successfully mobilised the Pathfinder 500 to OML 42, where it completed workover operations on two producing wells without recording any health, safety and environmental incident. The operations contributed to incremental crude oil production from the asset before the rig was safely demobilised to its base.
The development is significant for Nestoil as it seeks to strengthen its indigenous drilling capacity and reduce dependence on hired rigs for workovers and field development activities.
The company’s investment in the two rigs was driven partly by the need to have reliable in house drilling equipment available for maintaining producing wells, reviving mature assets and supporting new drilling activities.
For Nestoil, having dedicated drilling capacity could provide greater operational flexibility while reducing the cost and uncertainty associated with securing equipment from external contractors.
The successful deployment also positions the group to proceed with its planned in field drilling programme on OML 42, where additional drilling and well intervention activities are expected to support efforts to sustain and grow production.
The Pathfinder 500 had remained idle for about eight years following its acquisition, making its return to productive operations an important milestone for the company.
Nestoil Chairman, Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, described the development as a major achievement for the group and a demonstration of Nigeria’s growing indigenous capacity in drilling operations.
The project was executed using Nigerian personnel, from the refurbishment of the rig to its crewing and operation. The Pathfinder 500 is currently operated by a fully Nigerian crew, reflecting the increasing availability of locally trained professionals capable of handling sophisticated oilfield equipment.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to seek higher crude oil production through the revival of mature fields, increased drilling activities and greater investment in upstream infrastructure.
Improving output from existing assets remains particularly important as the country works to strengthen crude production and maximise the value of its oil reserves.
For the wider oil and gas industry, increased ownership and operation of drilling rigs by indigenous companies could help deepen local content, create specialised employment opportunities and retain more technical value within the Nigerian economy.
Nestoil’s investment also demonstrates the role of private indigenous capital in developing upstream infrastructure at a time when access to reliable drilling equipment remains critical to increasing production.
With the Pathfinder 500 now operational and the Scorpio 300 also part of its drilling fleet, the group is positioned to expand its workover and drilling capabilities while supporting the redevelopment of OML 42.
The company’s continued investment in drilling and well services infrastructure is expected to play a role in sustaining production from the asset and unlocking additional opportunities as its in field development programme progresses.
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