Dissertation Proposal: International Oil and Gas Trade in Niger Delta

This dissertation proposal investigates the multifaceted impact of international oil and gas trade on the population of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria. It begins with an introduction providing background information on the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta, followed by a problem statement highlighting the adverse effects of oil production. The proposal outlines the research aim, objectives, and research questions, which focus on analyzing the factors of increasing oil and gas production, assessing the impact of international trade, and evaluating mitigation steps. A comprehensive literature review is included, examining oil and gas extraction, environmental pollution, oil spillage, the contribution of oil and gas to the Nigerian economy, and potential solutions. The research methodology section details the research philosophy, design, data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis techniques, along with ethical considerations. The proposal concludes with a list of resources and references, providing a structured framework for a detailed investigation into the complex relationship between oil and gas trade and the well-being of the Niger Delta population.

Dissertation Proposal
What has been the impact of oil and gas international trade on Niger Delta population?
Student’s name:
Name of the university:
Author’s note:

Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Background of the research...................................................................................................3
1.2 Problem statement.................................................................................................................4
1.3 Research Aim.........................................................................................................................4
1.4 Research objectives...............................................................................................................4
1.5 Research Questions................................................................................................................5
1.6 Proposed structure of the dissertation....................................................................................5
2. Literature Review........................................................................................................................7
2.1 Oil and gas extraction in Nigeria delta..................................................................................7
2.2 Environmental pollution in Niger Delta and its impact on population..................................8
2.3 Effect of oil spillage in Niger Delta.......................................................................................9
2.4 Contribution of oil and gas trade on Nigerian economy......................................................10
2.5 Measures to solve the Niger Delta issues and implement well-being for population.........11
2.6 Gap in Literature..................................................................................................................11
3. Research Methodology..............................................................................................................13
3.1 Research Philosophy............................................................................................................13
3.2 Research design...................................................................................................................13
3.3 Data collection methods......................................................................................................14

3.4 Sampling technique.............................................................................................................14
3.5 Data analysis technique.......................................................................................................15
3.6 Ethical considerations..........................................................................................................15
4. Resources...................................................................................................................................16
Reference List................................................................................................................................17

1. Introduction
There are almost 252 oil fields in Nigeria delta and these fields have estimated oil and gas
reserves. In addition, there are more than 200 reported discoveries of oil and gas reserves and
those do not have any estimate calculation. This well-endowed ecosystem and bio-diversity have
been destroying by international trade and it is affecting the population of Niger Delta. In this
proposal, aim, objectives and research questions have been set to conduct the research. In
addition, literature reviews will be done based on the scholarly articles. Furthermore, in research
methodology section, data collection process and data analysis process will be explained in light
of the research.
1.1 Background of the research
Since decades the introduction and production of natural gases have formed varied
impact on the countries and its living beings. This is due to the negative impact attached to the
production of such natural resources. The history of oil and gas companies in the suburban region
of Africa has been long since the time German firm started exploring oil in the Nigerian area. Oil
was first discovered in the Nigerian region in the 1950s for only commercial use (Adelman
2016). These oils were found mainly for export as Nigeria started exporting most of the reduced
oil. This made Sub-African region to produce about 7.25 percent of oil out of 13 percent total oil
production of Africa. Thus, slowly oil and gas became one of the high stakes sectors of Africa.
Nigeria region is known to have the largest Nigeria Current Large Oil and Gas resources that
affect the population around. The region is also known to have the richest biodiversity and
marine life and is considered as one of the production coastal waters in the world (Olu 2013).
however, the over pollution from such activities of producing oil and other industrial activities

has led to a lot of loss of natural diversity and marine resources, making the region vulnerable to
all kinds of threat. This lead to various socio-economic issues in the region making the populous
suffer.
1.2 Problem statement
Fast increase in oil resulted in increasing the adverse impact of oil production on the
African population. Most adversely affected region was the Nigerian Delta population, as they
face the direct impact of such oil production. Moreover, more than 10,000 km of pipelines
crisscross this region from where oil passes (Iyoha and Ekanem 2012). About 40 percent of the
inhabitable terrain will be lost n the next thirty years due to the adverse effect of the oil
production. Moreover, the carelessness form these oil-producing companies have increased over
the years, which worsened the situation even further. This region has been facing the problem of
extensive loss in inhabitable terrain due to dam construction and carelessness of oil and gas
extraction (Ibenegbu 2018). In this region, oil spill and gas flaring are common issues due to
tanker accidents and pipeline damages. This oil spillage creates an issue for population and
ecosystem. Despite energy reserves in Niger Delta region, the population does not have access to
energy properly and the poor democratic institution is another issue.
1.3 Research Aim
The aim of the paper is to research the impact of international trade of oil and gas on the
Niger Delta population by analyzing both the negative and positive impact.
1.4 Research objectives
 To analyse the factors of increasing oil and gas production in the Niger Delta region
 To analyse the impact of oil and gas international trade on Niger Delta populous

 To analyse the steps taken to mitigate the adverse impact of such actions
1.5 Research Questions
Primary question:
What is the impact of oil and gas international trade on the population of Niger Delta and efforts
taken to mitigate the risk?
Secondary questions:
 What are the possible factors of increasing oil and gas production in the Niger Delta
region?
 What could be the steps taken to mitigate the adverse impact of such actions in Niger
Delta region?
1.6 Proposed structure of the dissertation

Figure 1: Structure of the dissertation
(Source: Created by the researcher)

2. Literature Review
2.1 Oil and gas extraction in Nigeria delta
Field size distribution in Niger Delta proves the matter that any petroleum basin
discoveries were made in early stages of exploration. There are more than 250 oil fields are there
in Niger Delta and much more are reported to discover. In Niger Delta, there are 170 oil fields
that have 100 million bbl of reservation of oil and there are 60 oil fields which have only 10-20
million bbl of oil reservation (Jaidah 2016). Therefore, this resource base of Nigeria is up to 7
billion bbl altogether in recent discoveries and this has made this place unique in geographic
location. Oil size field distribution in this place is under 50m water depth and underground
mining is done to extract the oil. The large structure of oil resources are drilled first and isolated
oil fields extract later.
Field size (million
bbl)
Number of fields Onshore <50 m
700-800 6 3 3
500-400 3 2 1
400-499 7 5 2
300-399 6 3 3
200-299 15 8 7
100-199 46 32 12
80-99 12 7 4
60-79 17 11 6
40-59 36 22 13

20-39 25 23 7
5-20 69 57 11
Total 252 173 69
Table 1: Size frequency chart of discovered oil fields
(Source: Naija.ng 2018)
As stated by Obi (2014), Nigerian joint ventures (foreign oil companies and Nigerian
National Petroleum Corp) have invested huge capital in order to raise the production capacity.
There is region that has successfully been able to fight such consequences, while others are
unable to cope up with them due to economic weakness. Thus, the common curses that the
countries suffer due to natural resource production are poverty, pollutions, environmental impact,
health issues and others. Smaller oil fields in onshore of Nigeria brought into light for higher
production target and meeting the favourable demands in oil and gas. However, this delta covers
long wetlands with primarily sediment deposition.
2.2 Environmental pollution in Niger Delta and its impact on population
Nigeria delta covers almost 20,000 km2 and there live more than 20 million people with
40 different ethnic groups. In addition, this floodplain creates 7.5% of the total land mass of
Nigeria (Ezejimofor et al. 2017). It is third largest drainage basin in African regions. Niger Delta
can be broken down into four ecological zones, mangrove swamp, lowland rainforest, freshwater
swamp and coastal barriers island. Biodiversity of this place is unique and largest collection of
flora and fauna can be seen with agricultural trees and freshwater fish. According to Ikelegbe
(2014), 40% of this terrain has been facing the issue of extensive oil extraction and gas flare. The

oil and gas companies do not take any environmental measure while extracting the oil and gas,
therefore, the population and nature have been facing the issue of habitation risk. Slow poisoning
of water and destruction of vegetation due to pipeline setting of oil trading. Oil spill occurs in a
regular basis, therefore, the agricultural land and trees are being polluted. On the other side, as
pointed out by Obi (2014), before, 25 years ago, the government of Nigeria was not concerned
about oil operation, now the government is trying to implement safety measure in oil and gas
industry.
2.3 Effect of oil spillage in Niger Delta
Oil spills occur due to pipeline and tanker accidents (51%); production operation faults
(21%) and sabotage (25%) can also cause the oil spilling. The small size of oilfields is another
reason for oil spillage as an extensive network of oil pipes are needed to distribute and trading of
the oil and gas. According to Obida et al. (2016), 1.89 million barrels of petroleum were spilt in
the Nigerian Delta since the time the production activity started. This region consists of
approximately 30 million people, which got affected by the oil production activities. This is
because there are around 600 oil fields and 500 wells in this region where extensive oil
production activities take place. In West Africa, biodiversity is unique with fresh flora and fauna
and it sustains a wide variety of lumber, trees, crops and freshwater. In the year2006, more than
200 people died due to oil line explosion in Niger Delta (Osuji and Onojake 2014). Nigerian
regulation of oil industry is not strong enough to take the decision and the industry seems like
self-regulated. Todaro (2013), supported this by saying that oil spilling and environmental
degradation has a huge impact on mangrove forests and the residents live over there.
Oil is stored in the soil and it re-releases annually, this incident makes the soil barren and
more than 10% forests have been wiped out by oil pipe settlement (Robinsoll 2014). This

environmental disaster kills traditional livelihood, resentment and it breeds mistrust and it also
undermines operational security for oil companies. Gas flaring occurs each day and it is the
biggest CO2 emissions in the African region and it impacts the health issue of Niger Delta
population.
2.4 Contribution of oil and gas trade on Nigerian economy
Approximately 2 million bbl of petroleum is extracted in the Niger Delta in each day and
it provides 75% of Nigeria's export earnings. In addition, oil and natural gas extraction in Nigeria
comprise 96% of Nigerian foreign exchange revenues (Odell 2017). Current statistics show that
20% of GDP of Nigeria comes from petroleum and it proves that oil and gas industry is crucial
for the Nigerian economy. Oil was discovered in Nigeria in the year 1956 and it was done by
Shell-BP. The energy reserves in Nigeria are risen up to 34 billion barrels and this figure is keep
going (Gujrati 2015). On the contrary, due to a recent issue in oil and gas industry related to
pollution and environment, the federal government of Nigeria is finding a new way of export
revenue. Niger Delta has four oil refineries and they have a capacity of refining 445,000 barrels
per day.
Names of refineries Launched year Capacity (barrels)
Port Harcourt 1965 60,000
Another in Port Harcourt 1989 150,000
Kaduna 1980 110,000
Warri 1978 125,000
Table 2: Refineries in Niger Delta
(Source: Naija.ng 2018)

In Niger Delta, Ogoni community has been facing the issue of oil spills and gas flaring.
Ezejimofor et al. (2017) supported this by pointing out that Nigeria has to invest dollars in
cleaning up the Ogoni land as oil has succumbed this land. UN group representatives worried
about violation of human rights in Ogoni and Niger Delta regions for nutrition of people, trading
and pollution and clean water source. In delta region, Avengers destroy pipelines and create the
financial crisis. Security of the states is at stake in Niger Delta as theft of pipelines and in
refineries is high.
2.5 Measures to solve the Niger Delta issues and implement well-being for population
Niger delta had faced civil war and they survived this. Niger Delta region is important for
Nigeria for foreign exchange. As stated by Genova and Toyin Falola (2013), US pumps crude oil
of 8 million barrels daily and it provides employment of 9 million jobs in America. On the other
side, Niger Delta region pumps 2.8 million barrels of crude oil each day, however, it does not
provide such employment opportunity. US government has been providing help to solve the
issue of Nigeria. First, it is needed to clean the soil in every inch and it is further needed to solve
the oil spillage. The US needs to solve and plan for the employment issue for disaffected youth
of Nigeria who has been doing kidnapping and disrupting the normal ways of lives. In Nigeria,
corruption is high and Nigeria government has to make road construction in urgent basis and
infrastructure for better oil refineries. As suggested by Jaidah (2016), Nigerian government can
take marshal plan in order to redevelop the oil and gas industry for the betterment of population
in oil trading where exploitation and poverty are prevalent.
2.6 Gap in Literature
The scholars have reviewed the economic and environmental perspectives of oil
extraction in Niger Delta and in overall Nigeria country. Nigeria has an official debt of $29