Relations Between Oil And Gas Operators And Host Communities In Nigeria: A Review Of The Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 Position

Nigeria’s oil and gas operations historically dates to the early 20th century. The then British company, Nigerian Bitumen Corporation, which started exploration activities in 1908, was the first oil and gas entity to carry out exploration activities in Nigeria. It took another half a century, particularly in 1956, before oil was finally discovered in commercial quantities, at Oloibiri, in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This discovery was made by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (then known as Shell D'arcy) and marked the beginning of major oil and gas operations in Nigeria.