The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) in conjunction with Geocardinal Engineering Services yesterday trained Team A and Team B drilling personnel in the ongoing National Bitumen Exploration project. The training, which focused on general safety, had emphasis on Blow out Prevention in Bitumen Drilling. It attracted forty participants drawn from across the federation.
Director General of the Agency, Dr Garba Abdulrazaq who was represented by the Director, Regional Geology, Mr Pade Davis, said the training is a routine exercise aimed at updating the knowledge of the drilling personnel, adding that it will add value to the effort of government to diversify the economy by providing reliable geoscience information on bitumen in Nigeria.
While saying that the agency will remain committed to providing geoscience data on all solid minerals, he said developing the bitumen value chain is a step in the right direction.
Lead consultant, Geocardinal Engineering Services, Engr Titilpe Adeyemo, harped on the importance of safety in drilling operations, stating that participants must put to use, the knowledge gained at the training.
Participants include geologists, mining engineers, geophysicists, drill drivers and mechanics among others.
In addition to the training of personnel at Ososa drilling site, the visiting NGSA Team inspected its sites where exploration activities had been concluded. At JB Farms, Odobolu LGA, Ogun State, Director of Economic Geology, Mr Umar Bature explained that “a total of 15 points were identified in Ogun Territory at project inception,” stating that the NGSA has concluded drilling of 11 of the points, stating that 4 more points will be drilled for bitumen. According to Bature, set goals are being realised in the NGSA’s exploration for bitumen in the ongoing national bitumen exploration project.
Apart from inspecting activities in some drilling locations, the team briefly inspected drill holes where it had concluded exploration activities for bitumen. The locations include Ososa and JB Farms both in Odogbolu LGA. The Director General also inspected drill holes at Ipara-Remo and Uranemum Communities in Ikenne LGA, Ogun State, yesterday.
