Isoko’s Oil and Gas Riches: A Story of Abundance and Neglect

Isoko land, located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, is home to an abundance of oil and gas reserves. With numerous oil wells and fields operated by various organizations, including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), First Hydrocarbon, and Heritage Oil, one would expect the region to be thriving. However, despite the wealth of natural resources, the people of Isoko continue to suffer from poverty, lack of infrastructure, and neglect.

According to historical records, Uzere in Isoko land is the second community in Nigeria where oil was discovered, after Otuabagi community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where oil was first discovered in 1956. This discovery marked the beginning of Nigeria’s oil industry, but unfortunately, the communities where the oil was found have not benefited significantly from the wealth generated.

In Isoko, the oil wells and fields are spread across several communities, including Uzere, Oleh, Olomoro, Emede, Owhe, Igbide, Okpolo-Enwhe, Ozoro, Ellu/Ovrode, Ofagbe, and Isoko Deep. These fields have a combined total of hundreds of oil wellheads and produce thousands of barrels of oil per day. Global and oil gas exploration tracker gives more data and insights.

In addition to oil, Isoko is also rich in gas reserves. The region is home to several gas fields, including Uzere Gas Field, Oleh Gas Field, Olomoro Gas Field, Igbide Gas Field, Okpolo-Enwhe Gas Field, Ozoro Gas Field, and the Isoko Gas Processing Plant. These gas fields are operated by various companies, including NPDC, First Hydrocarbon, and Heritage Oil.

Despite the abundance of oil and gas reserves, the people of Isoko continue to suffer from poverty and lack of infrastructure. The region lacks basic amenities such as electricity, roads, and healthcare facilities. The roads are in disrepair, and the few healthcare facilities available are poorly equipped.

The neglect of Isoko’s oil and gas resources is a story of abandonment and corruption. Many of the oil wells and fields have been abandoned, and the few that are still operational are not producing at optimal levels. The gas fields are also not being fully utilized, and the Isoko Gas Processing Plant is not functioning at full capacity.

The people of Isoko are calling on the government and the operating companies to take action to develop the region’s oil and gas resources. They are demanding that the abandoned oil wells and fields be revived, and that the gas fields be fully utilized. They are also calling for the provision of basic amenities such as electricity, roads, and healthcare facilities.

As the Nigerian government continues to grapple with the challenges of developing the country’s oil and gas resources, the story of Isoko serves as a reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and community engagement. The people of Isoko deserve better, and it is time for the government and the operating companies to take action to develop the region’s oil and gas resources for the benefit of all.

Oil Wells and Fields in Isoko

• Uzere: 2 oil fields (Uzere West and Uzere East) with 43 oil wellheads
• Oleh: 22 oil wells
• Olomoro: 17 oil wells
• Emede: 4 oil wells
• Owhe: 9 oil wells
• Igbide: 8 oil wells
• Okpolo-Enwhe: 6 oil wells
• Ozoro: 7 oil wells
• Ellu/Ovrode: 10 oil wells
• Ofagbe: 4 oil wells
• Isoko Deep: The block has eight producing fields of 395,000 barrels per day (bpd)

Gas Fields in Isoko

• Uzere Gas Field: Operated by NPDC
• Oleh Gas Field: Operated by First Hydrocarbon
• Olomoro Gas Field: Operated by Heritage Oil
• Igbide Gas Field: Operated by NPDC
• Okpolo-Enwhe Gas Field: Operated by First Hydrocarbon
• Ozoro Gas Field: Operated by Heritage Oil
• Isoko Gas Processing Plant: Operated by NPDC

Although Delta emerges Nigeria’s safest state for oil & gas investments, according to Delta State Government, communities such as Olomoro with the highest number of pipelines running through any community in Nigeria has one of the world socio-economic and development index based on SDG Goals.

According to information from First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Company Limited, the Isoko field currently produces between 1.5 and 1.8 thousand barrels of oil per day (kbbl/d).

While collection for updated data on oil production volume as at 2025 is not yet to hand, as at 2020, the daily oil production in Isoko is approximately 395,000 barrels per day, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 2020 report.

However, a comparative analysis based off NNPC’s report in 2020 provides the production volume across Isoko, Itsekiris, Ijaw and Ndokwa:

Isoko: 395,000 barrels per day

Itsekiri: 50,000-60,000 barrels per day

Ijaw (Bayelsa State): 700,000 barrels per day

Ndokwa: 70,000-80,000 barrels per day

Key points about Isoko oil production:
Production start: Production in the Isoko field began in 1976.
Participating interests: The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) holds a 55% stake, while First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN) holds 45%.
Reserves: The Isoko field has approximately 25 million barrels of 2P oil reserves.
Gas potential: The Isoko field also contains significant undeveloped non-associated gas resources.

A Policy Analysis:

Title: Optimizing Oil and Gas Resources in Isoko Land, Niger Delta

Executive Summary:

Isoko land, located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, is rich in oil and gas resources. However, despite the abundance of these resources, the region continues to suffer from poverty, lack of infrastructure, and neglect. This policy analysis aims to identify the challenges facing the oil and gas sector in Isoko land and propose solutions to optimize the resources for the benefit of the local communities and the nation at large.

Challenges:

1. Inadequate infrastructure: The region lacks basic amenities such as electricity, roads, and healthcare facilities.
2. Abandonment of oil wells: Many oil wells have been abandoned, leading to environmental degradation and loss of revenue.
3. Inefficient gas utilization: The gas fields in the region are not being fully utilized, leading to flaring and environmental pollution.
4. Lack of community engagement: The local communities are not adequately engaged in the decision-making process, leading to mistrust and conflict.

Solutions:

1. Infrastructure development: Invest in the development of basic amenities such as electricity, roads, and healthcare facilities.
2. Reactivation of abandoned oil wells: Reactivate abandoned oil wells to increase revenue and reduce environmental degradation.
3. Efficient gas utilization: Invest in gas processing infrastructure to utilize the gas resources efficiently and reduce flaring.
4. Community engagement: Establish a community engagement framework to ensure that local communities are adequately engaged in the decision-making process.

Activities Outcome:

1. Conduct a feasibility study: Conduct a feasibility study to identify the infrastructure needs of the region.
2. Establish a community engagement framework: Establish a community engagement framework to ensure that local communities are adequately engaged in the decision-making process.
3. Reactivate abandoned oil wells: Reactivate abandoned oil wells to increase revenue and reduce environmental degradation.
4. Invest in gas processing infrastructure: Invest in gas processing infrastructure to utilize the gas resources efficiently and reduce flaring.
5. Monitor and evaluate progress: Monitor and evaluate progress to ensure that the solutions are effective and sustainable.

Recommendations:

1. Government: The government should provide the necessary funding and support to implement the solutions.
2. Oil and gas companies: Oil and gas companies operating in the region should prioritize community engagement and invest in infrastructure development.
3. Local communities: Local communities should be actively engaged in the decision-making process and hold the government and oil and gas companies accountable for their actions.

By implementing these solutions and activities, the oil and gas resources in Isoko land can be optimized to benefit the local communities and the nation at large.