<P> Oloibiri Oilfield is an onshore oilfield located in Oloibiri in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, about 45 miles (72 km) east of Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta . Oloibiri field is about 13.75 square kilometres (5.31 sq mi) and lies in a swamp within OML 29 . Oloibiri Oilfield is named after Oloibiri, a small, remote creek community, where it is located . In Nigeria, oilfields are usually named after the host community where it is located or a local landmark . Sometimes, oilfields are also given names taken from indigenous languages . </P> <P> The field is currently operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC). The field was originally operated by Shell Darcy . On 30 April 1956, Shell Darcy changed its name to Shell - BP Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to reflect BP's interest . In 1979, it changed its name again to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) following the nationalisation of BP's interest by the government . </P> <P> Oloibiri Oilfield was discovered on Sunday 15 January 1956 by Shell Darcy . It was the first commercial oil discovery in Nigeria; this discovery ended 50 years of unsuccessful oil exploration in the country by various international oil companies and launched Nigeria into the limelight of the Petro - State . </P> <P> Following the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Oloibiri, Shell stepped up exploration in the Niger Delta and By 1958 Shell Darcy had discovered oil in twelve areas in the Niger Delta of which Oloibiri, Afam and Bomu were the most promising . </P>

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