Following speculations that emerged that it was exiting Nigeria after it divested its interests in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to Seplat, the Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Shane Harris, has declared that the oil major is not leaving Nigeria as claimed in some quarters.
Harris stated that ExxonMobil is currently seeking new investments in Nigeria’s energy sector in Nigeria and expressed confidence in the renewed relationship between the oil giant and the Nigerian government.
The Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the petroleum minister, Nneamaka Okafor, disclosed this in a statement after a meeting by both parties.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for investors in the energy sector and lauded ExxonMobil’s new significant investments in the country.
“ExxonMobil’s planned investments are commendable and greatly appreciated. This renewed relationship is a testament to the mutual goals we share for the future of our energy sector,” the minister stated.
“We fully support ExxonMobil and other lOC’s, just as we do with independent operators. Our collaborative efforts are key to the sustainable growth of our energy sector,” he stated.
The dispute arising from ExxonMobil’s sale of some of its assets to Seplat Energy caused a serious crisis in the energy sector but production is expected to increase by over half a million barrels per day following the resolution of the row.
President Bola Tinubu’s intervention accelerated the settlement and the NNPC confirmed both parties had reached an agreement in May.