Addax Petroleum has exited four Nigeria oil blocks OMLs 123/124, 126/137 as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Transfer, Settlement and Exit Agreement(TSEA).

By the agreement, the protracted dispute on the blocks operated by Addax, has finally been resolved thus charting a course for much-needed investment and growth on the oil blocks.

The NNPC Ltd Chief Finance Officer, signed the agreement on behalf of the NNPC, while Mr Yonghong Chen, Addax MD signed for his company.

With this agreement, Addax has ceased to be the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) contractor for the asset.

The PSC for the blocks was initially signed in 1973 between NNPC and Ashland and terminated after 25 years.

Again, the NNPC in 1998 signed another PSC with Addax in 1998 on the blocks and operated through Addax Petroleum for another 24yrs.

The oil leases were in April 2021 revoked by the petroleum regulator which accused Addax of failing to develop them sufficiently, but the decision was overturned by President Muhammadu Buhari three weeks later.

However, on 25th January 2022, NNPC Limited commenced formal engagements with Addax and NUPRC, followed by a series of meetings to ensure a swift closeout of the exit discussions and formalities.

The exit agreement is expected to boost both commercial and diplomatic relations for Nigeria and China.

Speaking during the agreement signing in Abuja on Tuesday, Kyari said the deal would boost the production of crude oil from the assets for the benefit of Nigeria.

Kyari said the NNPC Ltd has assembled a Transition Management Team to manage oil production and develop the gas potentials of the acreages.

In his address at the close-out and signing ceremony, the NNPC GCEO charged the Transition Management Team to hit the ground running towards restoration and fulfillment of the promise of the Assets.

He added that readjustment is expected to be swift and efficient, and there will be no excuses for production losses/deferment as NNPC Ltd has proven that it is ready to provide all the necessary support required.

Due to the multiplicity of challenges witnessed by the Assets over the years, most especially in the recent past, they (combined) are currently producing an average of 6,000 BOPD. (Nigerian Tribune)