This presentation contains details of the capabilities, activities, research laboratories and technical services expertise which, NNPC Research Development Division can render.
Our activities in the laboratories are covered by the NNPC corporate health and safety policy.
We are in the process of getting the ISO 9000 certification.
We have undoubtedly the best equipped laboratories of its kind in the west Africa sub-region; Our services are cost affective, reliable competitive, and confidential.
Complete crude oil assay (ASTM,
D2892, & ASTM D1160)
Evaluation of crude oil samples for certain products potential (eg. Lube oil or bitumen production.
Evaluation of crude oil for:
(a) Marketing and price determinati6n based on netback policy.
(b) Products slate changes and refinery production optimisation.
(c) Design of the refinery
(d) Refinery equipment performance monitoring.
Advisory services on crude oil processing.
Advisory service on petroleum and petrochemical products end-use applications.
Advisory services on natural gas utilization.
INSTALLED FACILITIES
H. S. Martins 40L Distillation Unit (LARGE STILL)
Asphaltene Reactor
Bench-Top catalyst Tester- (IFP Geomecanique)
Petroleum products and Crude Oil 
testing Equipment
Low Temperature Solvent Distillation Equipments Fischer Minitron)
Fischer Autodest 851 AC.
Fischer Autodest 800 AC.
Process and Catalysis is set up to provide complete catalysis development, characterisation, formulation, and synthesis. It also offers process-engineering solutions, corrosion studies and research and material selection for the petroleum industry using engineering software and plants.
A. PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
For complete studies on refinery and petrochemical operations in:
Process Plant optimization.
Development of process technologies.
Monitoring test run for specified objectives.
Process and energy integration and optimisation of refineries and petrochemicals plants.
Troubleshooting of refinery and petrochemical plants operations.
Computer simulation of plant operations.
B. CORROSION STUDIES
Inspection and studies for equipment and pipelines in the following areas:
Equipment arid pipeline corrosion monitoring.
Corrosion testing and prevention.
Systematic evaluation of the impact
on material failures on refinery and 
petrochemical plants operations.
Studies on anti-corrosion materials and chemicals.
Prediction, Measurement and Evaluation of Corrosion.
Evaluation of current used catalysts in different processes for performance rating.
Undertaking research work on:
(a) Synthesis of Zeolites of known lattice framework structure.
(b) Synthesis of Zeolites with Novel framework structures.
(c) Zeolites to enable them to exhibit novel catalytic properties.
(d) Synthesis of Zeolite with novel Chemical composition and lattice framework structures.
(c) Establish corrections for Zeolite synthesis.
Development of selective catalysts.
Development of industrial scale productions of the novel Zoelite catalysts showing economic viabilities.
Bench Scale Studies.
Process optimization
INSTALLED FACILITIES
1. PROCESS ENGINEERING
HYSYS Engineering solutions software for steady state and dynamic simulation.
STX Shell and tube exchanger rating, design and evaluation software.
ACX Air cooled heat exchanger rating, design and evaluation software.
Other general engineering design software
2. CATALYST EVALUATION RESEARCH
LAB Micro reactor for static and
dynamic auditing evaluation of catalysts performance.
Low Temperature Fractionation Equipment.
Bench Top Aromatic Extractor
Scale-up of laboratory set-ups to pilot plant scale.
Pilot plant studies of refinery and petrochemical processes.
Reconciliation of pilot plants performance result with that of computer simulation.
Pilot plant scale-up to commercial unit.
Simulation and analysis of Refinery and Plants processes using pilot plant.
This Department provides services and expertise to third parties to
ensure compliance with government regulations on the environment. 
We undertake pre and post environmental impact assessments bioremediation studies for the impacted ecosystem by industrial activities.
RESEARCH & SERVICES
Provides dredging and drilling compliance monitoring services.
Bioremediation Studies of Impacted Ecosystems.
Monitoring of Waste Treatment and Solid Waste Disposal Plants.
Acquisition of Environmental Base-line Data.
Environmental Impact Assessment Studies for Seismic Exploration Activities, Industrial Development, etc.
Environmental Sensitivity and Stress Distribution Mapping.
Consultancy services on pollution problems.
(Abatement, prevention and control).
Determination and monitoring of Atmospheric.
Pollution.
Toxicity Studies and Tests.
Environmental Auditing.
Consultants to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
FEPA, state Government on environmental issues.
INSTALLED FACILITIES
Modern Analytical Laboratory supports.
Ambient Air Monitoring Unit.
Modem environmental Facilities.
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory is a reference Laboratory providing state of the laboratory services such as Spectroscopy, and Elemental Analysis, Chromatography, Water and Special Chemicals analysis, Petroleum Testing and Analysis for the Oil and Gas Industry Operators and Other Bodies in Nigeria.
Reasearch work and services undertaken is as listed below;
Metals in water, Wastewater, Organic and Inorganic Materials, Soils, Sediments, Chemicals and other materials.
Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen, in Organic deposition (Waxes, Hydrates, Asphaltenes).
Infa-Red (IR), and Ultraviolet (UV-VIS) analysis.
X-Ray fluorescence Analysis of Geological samples.
Elemental analysis.
Crude Oil and Petroleum Products analysis
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Natural gas and volatile organic substances analysis.
Analysis of Petroleum and its products.
Volatile and non-volatile organic
substances from 
water; soil plants extracts etc.
Analysis of heavy petroleum distillates.
Organic materials
WATER AND SPECIAL CHEMICALS ANALYSIS
Ground and surface water, Wastewater, Sludge
Sediments, Soil etc.
Produced Waters
Oil field and specialty chemicals
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS TESTING/ANALYSIS
Crude oil
Petroleum Products including Asphaltic materials
Lubricants.
INSTALLED FACILITIES
Gas Chromatograph (GC).
PIONA Analyser.
High Performance Liquid Chromatograph HPLC.
Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer(GC/MS).
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS) including:
(a) Controlled Temperature Furnace
(b) Hydride Generator
FT-IR Spectrometer
CHN Elemental Analyser
Ion sensing Meter and Electrodes
Auto -Titractors BOD Apparatus
PH and Conductivity Meters
Dissolved Oxygen Meter
TDS meters
Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectrom
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyser
Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) Assembly
Dean and Stark Apparatus
Viscosity Assembly
Aniline Point Apparatus
ASDM-D-86 Distillation Apparatus
Flash Point Testers
Copper Corrosion Testing Assembly
Potentiograph
Fluorescence Indicator Absorption assembly (FIA)
Bomb Calorimeter/Sulphur Analyser Assembly
X-ray Fluorescence Sulphur Analyser
Karl-Fischer Apparatus
Puor Point Tester
Tensiometer
Existent Gum Equipment
KF Coulometer
Colorimeters
Asphalt Ductility Tester
Penetrometer.
The E&P department provides services and carries out research activities in the upstream sub-sector of the Oil and Gas industry.
It comprises two sections:
1. Exploration Research & Services
2. Petroleum Engineering Research & Services
The Exploration Research and Services section performs geoscientific research and provides consultancy services for basin studies and reservoir modeling. With qualified geoscientists and laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, it caters for the need of the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.
GEOPHYSICS
2D and 3D Data processing Techniques with emphasis on Multiple Suppression and Prospect Characterisation.
2D and 3D Seismic Data Interpretation.
Seismic Stratigraphic Evaluation and Interpretation.
Well Log Interpretation.
Remote Sensing and Imagery Studies.
Gravity, Magnetic, Electrical and EM studies and Data Interpretation.
Integrated Geophysical Studies.
Geophysical Modelling.
SEDIMENTOLOGY
Lithostratigraph/Borehole Reservoir, Source and Cap rock identification and characterisation.
Determination and interpretation of composition, texture, structures and environments of deposition of sediments.
Thin Section Petrography: Diagenetic studies of sediments (Paragenesis).
SieveAnalysis.
Heavy Mineral Analysis.
Facies Modelling.
Photogeological Interpretation and Analysis.
BIOSTRATIGRAPHY
Industrial Palynology; Dinocysts, Acritarchs and Nannolossils Studies.
Industrial Micropalaeontology: Foraminifera and Ostracode Studies.
Biostratigraphcal Modelling.
Correlation Studies.
Sequence Statigraphy.
Biozonation.
Micropalaeontology and Palynological Photography.
Foraminiferal and Miospore Type Collection.
Paleogeography.
Micropaleoontological and Palynological Age determinations.
PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY
Source Rock Potential Evaluation and Characterisation.
Thermal maturity Evaluation Using Emperical Methods.
Total Organic Cabon (TOC) Analysis.
Vitrinite Reflectance (VR) Analysis Techniques.
Geochemical Correlation Studies.
Bitumen Fractionation and Gas chromatographic Studies.
Pyrolysis studies.
Kerogen Type determination.
Clay Mineralogy.
BASIN ANALYSIS
Regional interpretation of the geology of a Petroleum province using the following multidisciplinary geoscientific techniques.
Well Log Seismic/Sequence Stratigraphy.
Quantity Stratigraphy.
Burial and Geohistory Calculations.
Geochemical Logging.
OTHERS
Geophysical and Geotechnical site Investigation.
Soil Investigation.
Geological Sourcing of Raw Materials.
Industrial Materials Characterisation.
INSTALLED FACILITIES
Rock Eval/Oil show Analyser
Vitrinite Reflectance Microscopes
Sedimentological Microscopes
Petrographic Photomicroscopes
Palynological Photomicroscopes
Micropalaeontological Photomicroscopes
Centrifuges
Rock Cutting Machine for thin Sectioning.
Palynological Maceration Equipment
Micropalaentological Processing Materials
Vibratory sieve Shaker installed with auto sieve system
Stereoscopes
Modem Draughting Office
Analytical Laboratory equipped with GC-Mass Spectrometers, Gas Chromatographs, x-ray Fluorescence, IR, Elemental Analyser. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer HRGC, XRD
Diano X-Rav Diffractometer
Introscan MK-5 TLC/F ID Analyser
Scintrex Autograph Automated Gravity meter
Campu Geopulse Resistance meter.
Petroleum Engineering Research and Services ranges from the initial appraisal of exploration discoveries through field development, production and reservoir management. Laboratory Programmes are designed to ensure maximum relevant information at minimum cost.
CONVENTIONAL CORE ANALYSIS
Well site Core Handling/preservation
Porosity
Grain Density
Air Permeability
Fluid Saturation
SPECIAL CORE ANALYSIS
Formation Factor
Saturation Exponent
Caution Exchange Capacity
Capillary pressure measurements by mercury injection method
Capillary pressure measurement by porous plate method
ANCILLARY CORE ANALYSIS
Sieve Analysis
Pore Size Distribution Analysis
Total Core Gamma logging
Core Photography (ultraviolet and white light)
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
Integrated Reservoir Engineering studies
Detailed Reservoir and Fluid characterisation
Reservoir Evaluation
Formation damage studies
Enhanced oil recovery
PVT ANALYSIS
Subsurface black/volatile oil sample
Recombined black/volatile oil sample
Condensate Reservoir Fluid Sample
Dry gas sample
Separator Test at separator Temperature
INSTALLED FACILITIES
Porosimeter/Gas Permeameter
Dean-stark Fluid Extraction Equipment
Soxhlet Fluid Extraction equipment
Caution Exchange Capacity Equipment
Restor Equipment
Conductance-Resistance meter
Porous Plate capillary pressure apparatus
Core Slabbing and Plugging equipment
Mechanical Sieve Analysis equipment
Autosiever
Total Core Gamma
Core Photography equipment for both white & UV lights.
The NNPC, R&D GLASSBLOWING WORKSHOP carries out design, Fabrication, Calibration, and Screen-Printing as well as repairs to Scientific Glassware to DIN, BS and ASTM standards. Ornamental Glassware are also designed and fabricated to Clients Specifications.
Adapters, Burettes and Pipettes.
Dean and Stark Equipment.
Condenser and Columns.
Filter Pumps and Flasks.
Kjedahl Apparatus, Soxhlet Extraction apparatus, etc.
Measuring Cylinders
Splash head & Stirrers
Test Tubes & Thermoflasks
Wash Bottles.
INSTALLED FACILITIES
B+C Glass workshop Lathe, Universal model (Swing Type).
Bell Types Annealing furnace
Superb Universal Glass/Ceramic cutting machine
Belt Grinding and Glass Grinding Machine
Formmaster and Tool Plus Accessories
Glass boring and Drilling machines
Universal Glass coil winding machine (B+C Spiralomat)
Computer controlled Calibrating machine
Universal screen printing machine
Flat lapping machine.
The R&D department is set up to carry research and to undertake services in refining and petrochemicals plants and process technology, new products development, environmental science, and analytical Chemistry.
It has four main sections viz:
1. Petroleum Products Research & Services (PPRS).
2. Process and Catalysis (P&C).
3. Environmental Research & Services
4. Analytical services.
Development of new products.
Fuel and Lubes Research.
Studies on diversification of petroleum product derivatives for end-use application.
Engine testing.
Additives formulation.
Data base on Nigerian export blends and
Crude oils from different parts of the world
Evaluation of distillates and condensates
Evaluation of NGLs and condensate as feedstock for solvents products
Development of paint and ink colours
Research into new products development
Research into feedstock for solvent production
Solvent characterisation
Feasibility studies for solvent
production, from natural Gas, NGLs
And white distillates
