ABSTRACT
Major oil producing companies in the Nigerian petroleum industry continue to register impressive crude oil discoveries, especially in the Deep Offshore. Similar discoveries are being made in the gas subsector while the oil services sector is also expanding rapidly. Successive governments have placed a high premium on the socio-economic development of the country and investment remains a major catalyst for development in all sectors of the Nigerian economy. For this reason the government has made deliberate efforts to encourage genuine investors to take advantage of the available opportunities. Over the years several companies, namely Shell, ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, Total, Agip, ConocoPhillips etc., have taken advantage of the enormous investment opportunities in the Nigerian petroleum industry. Their sojourn has lasted for many years with attractive financial benefits and the investment horizon in the industry continues to expand, especially with the progression of exploration and production activities into the Deep Offshore.
