Total E&P Nigeria limited has assured that it will, by the last quarter of this year, add 200,000 barrels of oil per day to nation's oil production.

The company’s Deputy Managing Director, Deep Water District, Mr. Ahmadu-Kida Musa, stated this in his address at the National Association of Energy Correspondents Conference, held at Eko Hotels, Lagos on Thursday.

According to Musa, the theme of the conference, “Petroleum Industry Governance Bill: Emerging issues and concerns,” was relevant as it came at a period Nigeria Oil and Gas industry is undergoing reforms that are expected to have a far-reaching impact on the way business in the sector is conducted.

He commended the association for its commitment at reporting and analysing the issues that are critical to the success of the energy sector.

“It is a well-known fact that the relationship between the media and the corporate world is sometimes characterised by a mutual lack of trust.

“We know also that this shouldn’t be the case as we strongly believe that we are all partners and joint stakeholders in our quest for a better Nigeria. We also believe that it is important to step back from time to time, sit down at conferences like this, and have these conversations that foster understanding and appreciation of the wide range of issues that the sector is contending with.”

Musa, who said that Total upstream branch plays a significant economic and social role in Nigeria operating nearly 15% of the country’s oil production, added that despite different challenges that the company is committed to investing in the country.

On the promise to produce 200,000 barrels per day he said: “Our Egina Deepwater development project, which is nearing completion, will add 200,000 barrels of oil per day to Nigeria’s production by the last quarter of this year.”

Aside TOTAL other projects, Musa assured of the oil company’s determination to intensify its efforts in exploration and appraisal activities.

“Our plan is to maintain aggressive exploration and appraisal wells drilling in order to play our part in increasing the hydrocarbon resource base of the nation,” he added.