The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its unwavering commitment to revitalizing the country’s inactive and untapped oil and gas assets, positioning the move as a critical step toward energy security, job creation, and economic growth.
During a high-level visit to TotalEnergies’ Headquarters in Paris and its Research Institute in Pau, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D, emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s clear directive to industry players: dormant oil assets must be reactivated.
“Unlocking dormant fields is not optional – it is vital to our energy security and economic growth,” Lokpobiri declared. “Mr. President has made it explicit — operators must reactivate dormant assets. We are driving this mission with every dedication required, and I am glad to see TotalEnergies taking the bold steps to unlock their inactive and untapped assets.”
The visit, facilitated at the invitation of TotalEnergies, included a detailed tour of the company’s state-of-the-art Smart Room and support centre in Pau, where the Minister was shown advanced exploration and monitoring technologies. At the Paris headquarters, discussions focused on enhancing regulatory frameworks and operational support to fast-track asset reactivation.
Nicolas Terraz, Group President for Exploration and Production at TotalEnergies, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about the collaborative effort. “We welcome Nigeria’s firm regulatory backing. Our commitment is to deploy our technical expertise and capital to restart production in these strategic assets. Our engagement today highlights a shared determination: boosting energy output for mutual benefit.”
The Federal Government has pledged to provide the necessary policy, financial, and technical support to ensure smooth execution. According to a statement signed by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, the visit formed part of broader engagements with key operators and stakeholders. It comes as TotalEnergies prepares to activate several assets, including newly awarded blocks and previously held fields.
This initiative marks a significant step in the government’s broader energy agenda, aimed at increasing national production, enhancing revenue generation, and securing Nigeria’s energy future.
