Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited (EEPN(OE)L), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has demonstrated the company’s commitment and unalloyed resilience to unlock Nigerian Deepwater opportunities by unleashing its competitive capabilities at scale, integration, execution excellence, and Deepwater technology.
Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil Nigeria, Jagir Baxi stressed this sterling disposition during his participation as a panelist in the NOG Energy Week Conference & Exhibition 2026 where he joined industry leaders in a panel discussion with the theme: “Maximizing Offshore Investments in Complex Energy Frontiers.”
Baxi, in the course of his discussions, unveiled the company’s plan to commence on-block activities for the Usan Infill Project in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 138, which he described as a mark of ExxonMobil’s continued progress in developing Nigeria’s deepwater resources through renewed
alongside leadership of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), NNPC Limited, and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, and our OML 138 partners – Chevron, TotalEnergies, and Nexen – for the strong collaboration and shared focus on delivering value for Nigeria from Usan.
The Usan Infill Project is part of the broader Usan Field Development Plan and builds on recent investments, including the acquisition and processing of high-quality seismic data in 2024. As a short-cycle investment, the project is expected to sustain and increase production from the Usan field, with first production anticipated within 18 months after the seismic data identified the investment opportunity.
The project represents a cumulative investment of approximately $1 billion by Esso and its OML 138 partners, demonstrating continued confidence in the Usan resource base and Nigeria’s deepwater potential. Once completed, the project is expected to add up to 40,000 barrels of oil per day in incremental production, increasing output from the Usan Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility
“The start of the Usan Infill Project reflects ExxonMobil’s continued focus on developing our deepwater portfolio in Nigeria,” said Jagir Baxi, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria. “By applying advanced technology and leveraging our proven execution capabilities, we aim to safely and efficiently increase production and deliver value for our stakeholders while supporting Nigeria’s economic development.”
“This investment is expected to unlock approximately 40,000 barrels per day of new deepwater production and represents one of the fastest-moving developments in Nigeria’s offshore sector. The project aligns strongly with Nigeria’s production growth ambitions, with first production expected within months and peak output anticipated within approximately 18 months.”
According to Baxi, the Usan Infill Project highlights the value of strong partnerships between ExxonMobil, regulators, and partners in advancing development and production in Nigeria’s deepwater sector, re ExxonMobil’s commitment to responsible resource development.
“It also demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration between industry, regulators, and partners. As major subsea equipment mobilizes and a world-class deepwater drilling rig prepares to arrive on location, this milestone reflects the confidence of the OML 138 partners in the asset, the regulatory framework, and Nigeria’s long-term offshore potential, ” he added.
