By Henry Ojelu

A Principal Geo-scientist, Imorgiemeh Akagbosu Pius, has called for the repurposing of mature oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta for carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage and geothermal energy development as part of Nigeria’s energy transition strategy.

Akagbosu said the region’s extensive network of depleted reservoirs, existing well infrastructure and decades of production data provide a strong foundation for low-carbon energy projects.

Speaking on the potential of mature assets, he noted that advanced technologies such as Pulsed Neutron Logging (PNL) could play a key role in monitoring CO₂ storage projects and ensuring long-term containment of injected carbon.

According to him, PNL technology can track changes in reservoir saturation, monitor CO₂ plume migration and detect possible containment issues without requiring costly well interventions.

“PNL can be deployed repeatedly and cost-effectively through the life of a storage project, making it valuable for meeting international carbon storage monitoring requirements,” he said.

The Geoscientist also stressed the need for well integrity assessments before converting oil and gas wells into CO₂ injection or geothermal wells.

He explained that evaluating wells casing conditions, cement bond quality and annular pressure behaviour is essential to ensure the safety and viability of repurposed wells.

“A well previously used for hydrocarbon production must be carefully assessed before reuse. Failure to address integrity concerns could create technical, safety and regulatory risks,” he said.

Akagbosu further advocated the adoption of a standardised well integrity screening framework across candidate wells in the Niger Delta, arguing that such a system would reduce project risks and boost investor confidence.

On geothermal energy, he said the Niger Delta possesses favourable subsurface temperatures due to its geothermal gradient and deep sedimentary basin, making it suitable for low- and medium-enthalpy geothermal projects.

He noted that existing wellbores and reservoir data could significantly reduce development costs compared to building new geothermal facilities from scratch.

According to him, mature wells can be converted into geothermal production systems with the aid of Organic ranking cycle (ORC) turbine to enable production of clean heat and electricity to nearby communities and industries if properly evaluated and reconfigured.

He added that such projects could help address energy access challenges in oil-producing communities while creating new value from ageing oil and gas infrastructure.

Akagbosu said integrating pulsed neutron diagnostics with continuous well integrity monitoring offers a viable pathway for extending the usefulness of mature oil and gas assets beyond hydrocarbon production.

He maintained that Nigeria’s energy transition should not be viewed as the abandonment of existing assets but as an opportunity to transform them into platforms for cleaner energy solutions.

His position comes amid growing interest in carbon capture, storage and renewable energy technologies as countries seek practical ways to meet climate commitments while sustaining economic growth.