Nwadinigwe Makes Giant Stride In Oil Discovery

Geochemical Investigations carried out recently by Professor Chukwuemeka Nwadinigwe and his research team from the Depth of pure and Industry chemistry, University of Nigeria, (UNN) Nsukka, has shown the possibility of occurrence of petroleum, in Eha-Ndiagu town of Nsukka Local Government Area. The astute Professor who carried out the research few years ago, made this known recently to National Mirror.
“Soil and water samples from Eha-Ndiagu in Nsukka Local Government Area were solvent extracted and the organic extract subjected to urea adduction. The adduct was decomposed and the resulting normal-alkanes were analysed with Agilent 6980 gas Chromatographic equipment.
Results showed the occurrence of normal alkanes. The normal akanes detected were within the range: n-nonane, n-C9H20 to n-eicosane, n-C20H42 and n-pentacosane, n-C25H52. Pristane and phytane were also detected. The results obtained so far, therefore, establishes the fact that there is some deposits of petroleum in Eha-Ndidagu Land” information made available to the Science correspondent.
According to Mr. Asogwa Chukwuemeka, a Master's degree student of chemistry under Prof. Nwadinigwe's supervision, “On March 2006, Chemistry Department of the Institution under Prof. Nwadinigwe's supervision carried out a geochemical survey of the possibility of Oil-occurrence at Eha-Ndiagu Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. Based on the fact that (i) there has been wide-spread belief that there is oil deposit in the area. The research team found that the water sample in the area was contaminated by something like petroleum coatings. On the bases of these facts; we decided to carry out the research work to determine the possibility of oil deposit in Eha-Ndiagu. This we carried out by using many laboratory reagents and equipment like  dichloromethane, Urea, methanol, Acetone, Iso-Butanol, Digger, extraction glass column, suction filter, Gas chromatograph, model. Agilent 6980, among others.
The research which took us almost 2 years to complete, shows that (i) there are hydrocarbon deposits in Eha-Ndiagu soil, (ii) Petroleum being the major source of hydrocarbon.
(iii) Geo-chemical analysis shows that there is likely to be oil deposit in the community”.
Information made available to National Mirror by Professor Nwadinigwe shows that before a conclusive evidence of petroleum deposit can be made in an investigating area, Geochemical studies, Geological analysis, and Geophysical methods must be carried  out. The Geochemical analysis which gives strong indication of oil deposit in Eha-Ndiagu, is a preliminary investigation, the other remaining two methods. Geological and Geophysical studies are also expected to carried out to give a conclusive evidence of possibility of petroleum deposit in the area.
Professor Chukwuemeka Alphonsus Nwadinigwe is an authority in chemistry with specialization in organic Chemistry. A two-term National President of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, he is presently a member, Royal Society of chemistry of Great Britain, a chartered chemist; Fellow, Chemical Society of Nigeria; Member, council of the institute of chartered chemists of Nigeria and former Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, UNN. Professor Nwadinigwe has many national and international awards. He has written many-texts and has over 4 decades experience in the field of chemistry.