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Nigerian crude oil to rise to 2.2mbpd in 2019

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Peace Obi

Baring any unforeseen circumstances and the eventual start up of the Total-operated Egina FPSO, the Nigerian crude oil production has been projected to rise to 2.2 million barrel per day in 2019.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said this in an interview with S&P Global Platts, recently.

According to Kachikwu, Nigerian crude and condensate production is expected to rise to 2.2 million bpd by early next year when the Total-operated Egina oil field becomes operational.

He said, “Hopefully, that should lift us closer to 2.15 million-2.2 million by the start of next year barring any unforeseen shutdowns,” Kachikwu said, adding that the country’s longer-term production goal is around 2.5 million bpd.

“I think you could see it creep up to 3 million b/d in the next eight to 10 years,” the minister said.

Kachikwu expects “relative stability” in Nigeria’s oil sector ahead and during the elections in February.

According to him, as the country recovers from the wave of militant attacks on oil faculties in 2016 and early 2017, the relative stability the country now enjoys since mid 2017 has resulted in a steady rise in her oil production.

As result, the country’s crude oil production jumped by 74,000 bpd from its July level to average 1.722 million bpd in August, according to OPEC’s secondary sources. In September, Nigeria further boosted its crude oil production, by 26,000 bpd to 1.748 million bpd. And as October, Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production stood at 2.09 million bpd in October.

Bonny business group applauds NLNG on business workshop

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Train 7 to Create 52,000 Jobs, Says NLNG

Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa

The indigenous vendors in Bonny Island, under the aegis of Association of Niger Delta Vendors in Oil and Gas have expressed their readiness to participate in an upcoming business workshop for young entrepreneurs in the oil and gas from Bonny Kingdom ahead of the commencement of Train-7 project.

The workshop which is scheduled to hold in Bonny community between November 22 and 23 according to the organisers would enable participants to know the available business opportunities in the project.

NLNG Train-7 is a gas production expansion project valued at over $7 billion by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) located in Bonny Island in Rivers.

The Organising Committee Chairman, Mr. Chris Jumbo, told newsmen in Bonny recently that the workshop was timely ad it would highlight opportunities, as well as address some teething challenges for the project to take off smoothly.

According to him, engaging businessmen from the NLNG host community would among others ensure the people’s support for the expansion project.

He said, “We want to applaud the organisers of this novel initiative. It encourages community participation, and when that is factored in, the environment becomes conducive.

“Leadership of various professional groups in Bonny kingdom are favourable disposed to the idea of this gathering to examine the potentials of the proposed NLNG Train-7.

“We are therefore commending the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Prof Charles Dokubo for putting this workshop together.

“This is the first time host community is being recognized by including them while carrying out the public awareness for opportunities for prospective vendors.

“These are the kind of move that makes community feel involved and hence will jealously guard the project and its facilities.

“We believe that issues discussed in this forum will give a pragmatic approach to mitigate industrial dispute before they occur because of the proactive steps taken by the management of the NLNG

“The commitment, passion and content brought to the table are quite impressive, we wish to encourage these collective efforts by the relevant stakeholders to use the project to drive development of Niger Delta region,” He said.

Speaking further, Jumbo said that over 100 vendors and other business groups have signed up for the workshop.

He expressed optimism on the huge business and development potentials the event will bring to the Bonny and commended the NLNG MD, Mr Tony Attah and Minister of State for Petroleum for their efforts in seeing that the project becomes a reality.

Jumbo advised prospective participants to log in to the official portal www.ndycpp.org to register and make seat reservations.

Wabote Bags Global Award for Local Content Advocacy

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The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote was conferred with a global award of excellence for outstanding contributions to sustainable local content development in Nigeria and across Africa’s oil and gas industry during the 25th edition of African Oil Week (AOW) in Cape Town, South Africa.

The award conferment on Wabote by the organizers of AOW at the PetroAfricanus Dinner was part of the events marking AOW’s 25th anniversary celebration.

African Oil Week is a premier international oil and gas summit, which brings together over 70 governments, national oil companies, investors, regulators, licensing agencies and leaders of major oil and gas companies that shape the continent’s upstream hydrocarbon landscape. It’s a foremost platform for business intelligence and transaction in Africa’s upstream oil and gas industry.

Reading his citation, the Conference Director of AOW, Mr. Paul Sinclair, highlighted the considerations for Engr. Wabote’s selection and suitability for the award to include his ongoing unprecedented contributions to localization of industry knowledge and expertise, monumental capacity development programmes in Nigeria with cross border impacts, trenchant advocacy of the imperatives of local content practice and benefits, smart regulations and rare leadership capacity to balance dialogue between international commercial ventures and national interest. He stated that in the 25 years history of AOW, that it was the first time an award was given for Local Content excellence by AOW/ITE Group.

In his acceptance speech, Wabote expressed delight at the honour and recognition. He said that the award was significant as “it communicates AOW’s acknowledgment of the Board’s programmes and strategies for localizing industry knowledge and capacity development”.

Speaking further, the Executive Secretary appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve his country and to champion national economic interest through local content advocacy and implementation under NCDMB banner.

Dedicating the award to the entire staff and management of NCDMB, the ES thanked them for their high sense of duty, patriotism and absolute commitment to local content regime. Adding that, “this award would not have been possible without their constant support for me”.

Other recipients of the AOW Silver Jubilee Celebration awards include to Mr. Conrad Gerber (a posthumous award received by his daughter, Laura); Barbette van Gessel, South African, Chief Executive Officer of Global Pacific & Partners; Founder and President of Global Women Petroleum and Energy Club, Duncan Clarke, Zimbabwean; Founder and Chairman of the Board, Global Pacific & Partners; a private advisory firm based in London and Mr. Samuel Dossou-Aworet; Benin Republic national, a Pan-African Businessman, Founder and Chairman of Petrolin Group recognized for his strategic and pioneering role in the promotion and development of major oil companies and African companies in several African countries including Seplat in Nigeria.

The award ceremony was well attended by dignitaries like the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Chairman Seplat, Dr. ABC Orjiakor, Managing Director Seplat, Mr. Austin Avuru, Luca Rigo de Righi (Chevron, Houston) and other representatives of oil and gas companies from various parts of the world.

Wabote goes global with Nigerian Content Advocacy

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Peace Obi

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, went global on Wednesday with Nigerian Content Advocacy, when he addressed delegates at the 2018 African Oil Week (AOW) in Cape Town, South Africa at the start of the African Local Content Forum.

African Local Content Forum is an innovative inclusion in the bouquet of AOW plenaries promoted by NCDMB and other partners to serve as a high profile platform for NOCs, International and Independents Oil Companies, Service Companies to generate single vision of future roadmap for African Content within the global oil and gas sector.

Speaking on the topic , “How to Develop Funds for Local Content Development“, Wabote asserted that Nigerian Content Development Fund model, underpinned by legislation is an attractive option for both upcoming and mature oil and gas jurisdictions in the African sub-region. He outlined five key parameters required for sustainable local content practice, to include Regulatory Framework, Capacity Building, Gap Analysis, Research and Development, Funding and provision of incentives.

Stressing on the importance of funding, Wabote said, “the authors of the Nigerian Content Act, in recognition of the importance of funding to the success of Nigerian Content, made a key provision for funding to deliver the key objectives of the law”.

According to him, the provision for funding, was not only to enable the Board to carry out its functions as a regulator, it’s also to enable it develop capacities and capabilities in-country for increased value retention. He argued that the success of the Nigerian Content Development Fund could be attributed to the following factors: A clear, unambiguous provision backed by law; a clear remittance framework, sufficient time for accretion, transparent and impactful utilization.

Despite the success of Nigeria’s advocacy model, Wabote noted, “There is no ‘one size fits all’ in local content practice”. Adding that to succeed, countries need to adopt best practices, and tweak them to suit local circumstances.

The Chairman, Permanent Local Content Committee, Energy Sector for the Government of Trindad & Tobago, Tony Paul, who spoke on a topic, “Developing successful local content framework and policies to promote in-country value and shared prosperity” reiterated the need for countries to adopt a suitable model that best their needs. “There is no perfect model, countries must avoid cut and paste approach in designing their framework,” he said.

Other presenters and discussants who shared their countries experiences at the African Local Content Forum include Magda Chamraird, former CEO, Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, Betty Namubiru of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Ranti Omole for PETAN, Tein George, Chairman, Aveon Offshore, Armando Afonso, Exxonmobil, Angola, among others.

‘Rains wrecked havock on Dangote Refinery’

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

The heavy rains of this year have caused some serious damages to the ongoing Dangote refinery project worth over $4.5 billion.

The President, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote made the revelation in an interview with Bloomberg TV, saying the rain this year caused devastating damage on his refinery project site.

According to him, the oil refinery, designed to process 650,000 barrels a day of crude, should start producing fuel in the first quarter of 2020 and at full capacity within the six months of that.

He said: “We will finish the mechanical [part] by the end of 2019 if hopefully we don’t have the same rain because of the raining season this year… Climate change is real. We have had devastating damage to what we are doing at the site. But anyway, we have recovered a bit, and we are pushing.

“It is a huge refinery; it is the largest single line refinery in the world. We will start production by the end of the first quarter of 2020. We will ramp up very quickly; it is a high-tech refinery.”

It would be recalled that Dangote had said in August that he had arranged more than $4.5billion in debt financing for the refinery project.

According to him, lenders would commit about $3.15billion, with the World Bank’s private sector arm providing $150million.

He however said that he was investing more than 60 per cent from his own cash flow.

NCDMB boss inaugurates Tolmann modular firefield centre

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The new modular fire field and emergency response training centre built by Tolmann Allied Services Limited has been commissioned by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote.

The facility located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, can provide practical demonstrations of offshore safety trainings such as Helideck Emergency Response Team Member Training, Offshore Emergency Response Team Leader Training, Major Emergency Management Initial Response, Control Room Operator Training, Confined Space Entry Training, Dynamic Positioning, Helicopter Landing and take-off coordination, and many more.

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In his remarks at the event held recently, the Executive Secretary advised oil and gas service companies to continually evolve with the industry and improve their deliverables if they are to remain in business.

He recalled that Tolmann was one of the facilities he visited after assuming office in late 2016, to confirm the existence of local capacities and capabilities and commended the company for increasing its competences and assets base.

“Industry operations are continuously moving into the deeper waters and it is either we evolve to become relevant or we disappear. Tolmann is trying to copy the evolution.”

Wabote also highlighted that safety in the oil and gas industry requires the highest possible standards and the company is playing a big role towards the realization of that aspiration.

He said the firm had become a leading international risk management, safety and emergency company through the provision of specialist safety training, support services, and technology.

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“Of particular importance is your achievement as the first training facility in Africa and Middle-East to secure OPITO Digital BOSIET approval. This unique digital delivery of training with certifications cuts down on time, logistics, and costs and ultimately improves the bottom line.”

The Executive Secretary also charged industry operators to patronize such facilities as part of their commitment to local content practice, capacity development of workers and safety of their operations.

He hinted that NCDMB was developing a framework whereby the patronage of local service companies by operating companies and EPC contractors would be rewarded with a discount on the payment of the statutory one percent Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF).

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Tolmann Allied Services Limited, Mr Emmanuel Onyekwena stated that the modular fire field centre was “borne of the desire to meet modern global approach of combating emergency situations in daily life operations offshore, which requires capability, infrastructure and competence demonstration prior to deployment offshore.”

Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, declared that Tolmann’s feat embodied the mantra of PETAN, which are capacity building, capability, consolidation and consistency.

He maintained that member companies of the association are keen to capture the entire oil and gas value chain and deliver services to satisfactory levels.

Chevron Appoints New North America E&P Leader

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Chevron Corporation has appointed Steven W. Green as the new president of Chevron North America Exploration and Production, effective March 1, 2019.

As part of his new role, Green, who is currently president of Chevron Asia Pacific Exploration and Production, will oversee Chevron’s exploration and production activities throughout North America, including the company’s portfolio of assets in Canada, California, the Gulf of Mexico, Pennsylvania and the Mid-Continent region of the United States.

Green will succeed Jeff Shellebarger, who is retiring from Chevron after 38 years of service. The new appointment will report to Jay Johnson, Chevron’s executive vice president of upstream.

Nigel Hearne will succeed Green as president of Chevron Asia Pacific Exploration and Production, effective March 1, 2019. Hearne is currently managing director of Chevron Australia and head of the Australasia Business Unit with responsibility for the company’s upstream interests and activities in Australia and New Zealand. In his new capacity, Hearne will oversee nine countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Hearne will also report to Johnson in his new role.

“Steve brings deep and proven operating experience to this role overseeing our North American upstream assets,” Michael K. Wirth, Chevron’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a company statement.

“He has shown exceptional leadership as he guided our upstream operations across the Asia Pacific region over the last several years,” he added.

Commenting on Shellebarger’s retirement, Wirth said, “Jeff has been an outstanding leader for Chevron for nearly four decades”.

“Most recently he’s played a central role in advancing our significant onshore and offshore operations across North America, including firmly establishing our leadership position in the Permian Basin. Beyond his leadership inside Chevron, Jeff has distinguished himself as a sought-out leader across the greater Houston community,” he added.

Back in March Chevron named David Payne as the company’s new corporate vice president of Health, Environment and Safety. In February Chevron named Bruce Niemeyer corporate vice president of Strategic Planning and announced that Jim Umpleby had been elected to Chevron’s board of directors.

Earlier in November, Chevron reported earnings of $4 billion for the third quarter (3Q), compared to $2 billion during 3Q 2017. United States upstream operations earned $828 million in 3Q, compared with a loss of $26 million a year earlier.

 

Culled from Rigzone

Nigeria’s success in Local Content is African oil producing countries’ gain

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Peace Obi

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has said that Nigeria’s success in driving her local content policy has paved the way for the deployment of local capacities, greater participation of indigenous companies and would ultimately improve the economies of African Petroleum Producers.

Speaking yesterday during the ministerial panel of the petroleum ministers from African countries at the ongoing African Oil Week in South Africa, Kachikwu noted that the good implementation of Nigeria’s local content policy has encouraged increased indigenous companies’ participation in the country’s oil and gas sector.

The Minister stated that the positive impact of the NOGICD Act implementation in the country is felt in other sectors of the country’s economy.

The ministerial panel which had its discussion centred on the National Energy Strategies with a focus on the competitive nature of domestic energy, Oil and Gas sector, Kachikwu said he was excited that Nigeria’s success in Local Content is having positive impact on other sectors of Nigerian economy.

“I am excited that Nigeria has successfully driven the local content mix, encouraged local participation in the oil and gas sector and this has ultimately resulted in a positive effect in other sectors of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, Nigeria’s gain from her Local Content policy would invariably chart a new path for the continent’s improved participation in exploration and refining of her oil.

“This collaboration has charted a new path that would ensure that African Petroleum Producers compete favourably in the global oil and gas sector while also ensuring an increased in-country processing and refining of crude oil amongst producing countries in Africa.

“The oil sector has been a catalyst for growth in the Nigerian economy and opened frontiers across the globe.

“It is worthy of note that Nigeria has played key roles in the leadership of African Petroleum Producers Organisation which has fostered meaningful collaboration. Nigeria has played leadership role in the African Petroleum Producers Organisation in fostering collaborations,” he said.

$55m Crude Oil Shipment: FG Closes Case In Suit Against Agip

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Agip Insists It Complied With Extant Laws In OPL 245

The Federal Government on Tuesday closed its case at a Federal High Court Lagos, in a $55 million debt recovery suit it filed against Agip Oil Company Ltd.

The suit, filed in 2016 by the government’s counsel, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), is one among others by the government, seeking to recover almost 12 billion dollars in missing crude oil revenue from some international oil companies.

The Federal Government is claiming 55 million dollars from Agip for missing crude oil revenue.

The government accused Agip of under-declaring the volume of crude oil it shipped out of the country between January 2011 and December 2014.

Government claims that Agip short-changed it to the tune of 55 million dollars.

The plaintiff is therefore, praying the court to compel the oil firm to pay the sum, with an annual interest rate of 21 per cent

On Tuesday, the Federal Government, represented by Ituah Imahnze, informed the court that it was closing the case for the plaintiff.

Consequently, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun adjourned until Wednesday for Agip to begin its defence.

The plaintiff filed the suit to recover lost revenues arising from undeclared and under-declared crude oil shipments from Nigeria to different parts of the world.

The Federal Government had also sued Total Plc, alleging that the oil company under-declared the volume of crude oil it shipped out of the country between January 2011 and December 2014.

Government accused the oil company of short-changing it to the tune of $245 million by allegedly shipping several barrels of crude oil out of Nigeria, without making due remittance to the authorities. It also filed similar suits against Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Ltd and Shell Western Supply Trading Ltd among others.

Senate to probe diversion of NLNG dividends – Saraki

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The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that the Senate on resumption of plenary will further probe the claims by the NNPC, on diversion of dividends from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, which stated that the President of the Senate, Saraki said that he had received a lot of calls from Nigerians to probe the claim.

Saraki who was reacting to questions from newsmen at the Ilorin airport said that the claim by the NNPC will be probed to the satisfaction of Nigerians.

He stated that the disclosure by the NNPC boss in response to enquiries by the Senate adhoc committee probing the issue of illegal payment of subsidy on fuel, called for further investigation by the Senate and also showed that as alleged in a motion moved earlier by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujinmi, a lot of illegal and unapproved spending are going on in the petroleum corporation.

“Let me assure Nigerians that there will be no cover up. We are confident the adhoc committee will do a thorough job. All the issues will be unearthed.

“That is why when the Senate set up investigative committees on issues, we want Nigerians to have confidence in us that we do not act because we want to embark on a wild goose chase.

“There must be some serious issues to be looked into. The revelations by the NNPC GMD have justified the need for this investigation and they have shown that we are acting in good faith.

“When in my ruling on the motion raised by Senator Olujinmi, I insisted that we want a transparent, honest and non-partisan investigation on the fuel subsidy issue, it was clear to me and my colleagues that there are certain irregularities being perpetrated and we should let Nigerians know the truth.

That is why we set up the committee in the first place and to demonstrate the seriousness we attach to the issue, we decided that the adhoc committee should be led by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan,

“We are however shocked that the NNPC GMD was claiming that the illegal diversion of dividends from the NLNG which should be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of funding the fuel subsidy was done ‘in compliance with the National Assembly directive that NNPC as the supplier of last resort should, and has, maintained robust petrol supply’.

“So, if the National Assembly called on NNPC to carry out its legitimate duty of ensuring adequate fuel supply to Nigerians, the GMD logically thinks the corporation by that call has the license to perpetrate illegality, spend money without approval and violate appropriations law.

“It is my belief that if the National Assembly said the corporation should perform its duty effectively as a supplier of fuel to Nigerians without exposing people to needless suffering that ought to be done within the ambit of the law.

“This investigation will require the GMD to produce the approval given by the National Assembly and other necessary approving bodies authorizing the NNPC to divert the dividend from the NLNG investment which ought to be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund belonging to the three tiers of government for the payment of fuel subsidy”, he stated.

Shell, ExxonMobil to sign crude swap deal with NNPC

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Peace Obi with agency report

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could sign crude-for-product deals with Shell and ExxonMobil, similar to one signed with BP last week, a senior NNPC official said on Monday.

The Corporation announced last Wednesday that it had signed a deal with BP and would provide more details later.

“Unfortunately, Shell and ExxonMobil exited the downstream sector in Nigeria a couple of years ago but they are coming back for this particular arrangement, because it’s an opportunity for them to get crude and sell their products to the refineries,” NNPC’s chief operating officer for upstream, Bello Rabiu, told Reuters on the sidelines of an African oil and gas conference in Cape Town.

NNPC imports about 70 percent of Nigeria’s fuel needs, mainly gasoline, via swap contracts. NNPC has contracts, known as direct sale direct purchase agreements, with 10 consortiums that include trading houses Vitol, Trafigura , Mercuria and Total.

It extended the existing contracts to June 2019 but several trading sources in the consortiums said they had requested new price terms.

Rabiu said NNPC hoped in 2019 to emulate savings of around $1 billion seen in 2016 with its crude-for-product swaps, which he said would likely end once Africa’s top crude producer revamps its refineries.

“If our refineries are back, which we want in the next 18 months, this thing will stop. So, all these things are just stop-gap measures, but the key issue is that we wanted to import at the least cost before our refineries come back onstream,” he said.

NNPC is in the final stages of talks with consortiums including top traders, energy majors and oil services companies to revamp its long-neglected oil refineries in an effort to reduce its reliance on imported fuel.

“It is on track and I believe if we don’t sign a final deal (on the project to upgrade refineries) this month of November, we will surely sign in December,” Rabiu said.

AP looks for Sierra Leon extension on oil blocks

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African Petroleum issued an update on its Sierra Leone SL-03-17 and SL-4A17 blocks. Through the company’s wholly owned subsidiaries – European Hydrocarbon Ltd and African Petroleum Sierra Leone Ltd – it has entered into the Second Extension Periods for the two blocks taking them to April 23, 2019 and September 17, 2019, respectively, and modified the work programs for both licenses.

In accordance with the modified work programs, the subsidiaries were required to commit to the drilling of one exploration well in each license during the remaining term of the respective license.

During the past 12 months the companies have been utilizing state-owned well and seismic data, together with existing seismic data, to further de-risk the licenses, and to host data-rooms and engage in discussions with interested deep-water industry players. The agreed work program elements have been completed and the conclusions reviewed with the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone.

 

Source: Petroleum Africa

Fuel scarcity looms as NUPENG backs planned NLC Strike

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There may be a shortage of fuel next week as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has pledged its loyalty to the Nigeria Labour Congress and any step that the NLC decides to take.

The Federal Government on Friday obtained an order from the National Industrial Court restraining the organised labour from embarking on strike.

The NLC, the Trade Union Congress and the United Labour Congress had, however, insisted on embarking on the strike, claiming that they had not been served with court processes.

However, the National President of NUPENG, Prince Akporeha, said that since his union is an affiliate of the NLC, it would comply fully with any directive the NLC gave.

 

Source: The Punch

QWAY set to construct 500mw of Angolan renewable energy

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A Renewable Energy Company, QWAY has demonstrated a keen interest in constructing 500 MW of renewable energy infrastructure in Angola. It is expected that 250 MW to 300 MW of this capacity would consist of solar power plants. The rest would consist of wind and biomass plants. According to QWAY, the Ministry of Energy has estimated that the country has around 55 GW of solar photovoltaic potential.

To achieve its objective, QWAY partnered with the local company, Thueia, specialized in biomass plants. Both entities anticipate that the development phase of these projects will be completed by 2020, followed by the construction phase.

The completion of these plants will allow the country to move towards its goal of achieving 100% electrification rate by 2025. For this, the country intends to increase this figure to 50% by 2022, and 60% by 2025. Studies have recently revealed that 200,000 new connections are needed each year to reach the next goal.

Source: Alternative Energy Africa

Senate commends NCDMB’s engagement of local contractor in headquarters building

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Peace Obi

…to expand NC Act to other sectors

Members of the Senate Committee on Local Content have commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for conceiving and developing its 17-story headquarters building in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, using the services of a local contractor.

The committee members gave their commendation during a recent oversight visit to the Board’s office and major Nigerian Content locations in Bayelsa and Rivers States.

Speaking after the tour of the building site, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adeola Solomon Adeola, applauded the overall quality of the project execution. He said that the building, when completed would meet the present and future needs of the NCDMB. “The project will also meet the expectations of all Nigerians, especially those in the oil and gas industry.”

He also commended the Board and its main contractor, Megastar Technical & Construction Company Limited for the speedy and professional development of the project. “I am happy that we have a project of this magnitude being executed by a Nigerian company. The most interesting part of this project is that it is local content driven.”

Speaking further, Adeola noted that the Board’s efforts in the implementation of Nigerian Content have helped to attract investments into the economy, develop human capacities and technology in the oil and gas sector; stressing that the Nigerian Content aims to promote empowerment and employment of indigenes and facilitate technology transfer in order to expand the local economy.

He assured that the committee would continue to add value to the Local Content initiative, increase the impact and enforcement of the NOGICD ACT and work with the NCDMB for a greater fulfillment of its mandate in the overall interest of all Nigerians.

He said, “the committee has commenced the review of the NOGICD ACT 2010 to increase its relevance to the current industry realities and more importantly to expand its scope to cover other industry such as ICT, telecom, manufacturing, extractive industry among others.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, Upstream Petroleum Resources and member of the Local Content Committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, described the new building as a wonderful initiative, which would contribute to the development of Bayelsa State and the entire oil and gas industry.

In his remarks, Senator Dino Melaye noted that the project would save the economy huge costs in the future. “I commend NCDMB for projecting into the future. Eventually, the building might not even meet the needs of the Board and the oil and gas industry. We need to develop similar projects in many other sectors and locations.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote stated that the Board’s 17-story headquarters building would be a source of pride to indigenes and residents of the Niger Delta region. He confirmed that only eight floors would be used for office space, while one floor would host oil and gas training centre of excellence. According to Wabote, some operating and service companies have already indicated their interest to rent some of the floors. He said that proceeds from such lease would be used to maintain the building. He also said that the structure would utilise electricity generated from an independent power plant being developed by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State.

In his response to questions by the lawmakers, the Executive Secretary clarified that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved an increase in the project’s budget, because of the huge fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates, which greatly affected the costs of inputs.

Dangote Sinotruk Automobiles set to shore up Local Content to 60 per cent

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As a budding automobile company, Sinotruk West Africa Limited entered into another phase in its expansion drive, the company has said it was increasing its local input into the assembling plant to 60 per cent, even to roll out commercial vehicles soon.

The expansion drive, which is part of the backward integration plan, is meant to enhance value addition and local content. Group General Manager of the company, Hikmat Thapa, made this known during a facility tour of Ikeja plant by Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye. He said having done with phase one of the project, the company has embarked on phase two which has to do with adding of the facility for cab welding, painting & trimming. Thapa stated that the third phase of the project expansion would be to add the facility that would be used to fabricate, paint & assemble different types of trailer bodies, load bodies with dual & triple axles, tipper bodies & tankers and so on.

He explained that Dangote Sinotruck has installed capacity to assemble and produce 15 –16 trucks per shift or 10,000 trucks annually and will create over 3000 different jobs across Nigeria. He said: ”The company has the plan to have welding & painting shops to fabricate & paint truck cabin & Trailers of different type so as to enhance the local content of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) operation of commercial vehicle Manufacturing.

“In the next one year, we have on our agenda to assemble and fabricate Truck Cabins, different types of trailers, Tipper bodies and Tankers etc. in our plant to increase value additions up 40 – 60 per cent.” The automobile firm said it hopes to expand sales to all the neighbouring West African states.

The automobile firm said it hopes to expand sales to all the neighbouring West African states.

Kachikwu to lead, NCDMB, industry stakeholders on Nigerian Content parley for NLNG Train-7

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Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa.

The Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) on has said that the group is collaborating with stakeholders in oil industry to ensure the participation of youths in the NLNG Train-7.

The Chairman, NDYCPP Organising Committee, Mr Chris Jumbo, said that arrangements have been concluded to hold a forum of stakeholders on the NLNG Train-7 in Bonny, on Nov 24.

Jumbo said that Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum would lead other industry chiefs on the event.

According to him, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, Prof. Charles Dokubo, Special Adviser to the President and Amnesty Coordinator, among others will be at the forum.

NLNG Train-7 is a gas production expansion project valued at over $7 billion by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) located in Bonny Island in Rivers State.

Jumbo explained that NDYCPP was engaging other organisations in building the capacity of host communities to participate meaningfully in the business activities to be created by the project.

He said that the group was liaising with entrepreneurs, young business owners and sensitizing them of the opportunities in the NLNG Train-7 to ensure that host communities derive economic benefits from the project.

According to him, the expansion project would have a positive economic impact as well as boost the Nigerian Content drive of the Federal Government if host communities are factored into the project at the planning stage.

He said that the involvement of host communities in the project would further enhance peace and security as the people who have business ties would do everything to ensure that the project survives.

“We are encouraged by the resolve of the Federal Government to ensure that sizeable portions of the NLNG Train-7 project are done by Nigerians where there is capacity and the NCDMB has insisted that Nigerian Content is not negotiable.

“We are therefore leveraging on MCDMB’s policy to bring host communities and regional players to showcase existing capacities and build new ones to reduce the dominance of foreigners.

“From Trains 1-6, local participation did not go beyond the construction phase, but what we are hoping to do is to fill the identified skills gap and prepare beyond Train-7, so the workshop can also be for Train 7 plus.

“We, in NDYCPP have been making efforts to sensitise our people who have expertise in several aspects of the oil and gas sector on the big opportunity before us in the Train-7 project.

“There is so much opportunities and for those who already have the capacity, we are linking them up and we are also building capacity in the needed areas so that they can fit in.

“We are collaborating with the NCDMB and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited to host a business opportunity roundtable for stakeholders in the NLNG Train-7.

The Managing Director of NLNG will be playing host to Gov Nyesom Nwike of Rivers and other top executives of many International Oil Companies participating in the project to the summit to be held in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

“This is the first time a bottom-top approach will be applied to create harmony amongst actors in the field towards achieving a win-win solution in a project like this.

“We are encouraged by the policy thrust of NCDMB to use the project to push up the Nigerian Content further in achieving its target.

“This feat is achievable if we harness the existing capacity and match it with opportunities. So, in working closely with NCDMB, we showcase what we have, to ensure that whatever can be done in Nigeria is given to Nigerians.

“In so doing, Nigerian businesses will be given opportunities to reduce the dominance of foreigners in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry space,” Jumbo said.

ExxonMobil To Produce Marine Gasoil, Diesel

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ExxonMobil has started operations of a new unit at its Antwerp refinery in Belgium to convert heavy, higher-sulphur residual oils into high-value transportation fuels such as marine gasoil and diesel.

As explained, the new 50,000 barrel-per-day unit expands the refinery’s capacity to meet demand for cleaner transportation fuels throughout northwest Europe.

The company’s investment in the new coker will also help meet anticipated demand for lower-sulphur fuel oil to comply with new standards to be implemented by the International Maritime Organization in 2020.

Our investment in Antwerp strengthens ExxonMobil’s competitiveness and position by expanding the refinery’s product slate and increasing our ability to deliver larger quantities of cleaner, higher-value fuels to European customers,” Bryan W. Milton, president of ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants Company, commented.

Other projects completed in Antwerp include a 130 megawatt cogeneration unit, which leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a diesel hydrotreater, which has increased the refinery’s production capacity for low-sulphur diesel to enable modern diesel engines to achieve lower emissions standards.

In addition, the company is currently constructing a new hydrocracker in Rotterdam that will upgrade heavier hydrocarbon by-products into cleaner, higher-value finished products such as EHCTM Group II base stocks and ultra-low sulphur diesel.

ExxonMobil is also considering an expansion project at its Fawley refinery in the United Kingdom that would include a new hydrotreater unit and associated hydrogen plant to increase domestic diesel production and reduce reliance on imported fuel.

Source: World Maritime News

NIMASA DG In Dubai, To Enforce 0.5% Sulphur Limit On Bunker Fuel

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The Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside flanked by Maritime Stakeholders at the ongoing maritime week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that the Agency will enforce strict compliance to the International Maritime Organisation regulation which puts a maximum of 0.5%  sulphur cap  on all fuel used by vessels  by the year 2020.

Dr. Dakuku who made this known during an interactive session with journalists at the ongoing maritime week in Dubai explained that part of the requirements adopted at the 73rd meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the United Nations maritime organ was to reduce the sulphur content permitted in Ships’ fuel oil globally to 0.5% with effect from 1stJanuary 2020.

According to him “the 2020 fuel challenge is geared towards energy efficiency; environmental pollution control; health as well as core regulatory enforcement issues. As a maritime nation, we cannot afford not to comply with the IMO standard which will also do a lot in mitigating global warming and other related environmental issues” Dr. Dakuku said.

Speaking further, the NIMASA DG said that the IMO ban which relates to fuel intended for combustion, propulsion and operation purposes on board ships will enter into force on March 1st2020, adding that all member states are expected to comply with the stated standards by this date.

He said it was in the best interest of Africa to ensure compliance considering the fact that majority of the countries on the continent do not have the technology to mitigate  harmful effects of high sulphur fuel  on the environment, ocean life  and human life .

The NIMASA boss enumerated some of the steps the agency plans to take to manage the transition and ensure compliance. He noted that NIMASA will embark on massive enlightenment, stakeholders’ engagement and liaison as well as collaboration with fuel refiners and suppliers. He also said that the Agency would have a schedule for Pre- enforcement information before the commencement of the proper enforcement.

Commenting on the best way to enforce compliance, Dr Peterside said that ship owners, classification societies, NGOs, fuel storage facilities, and other stakeholders will all play a part in determining modalities of ensuring compliance.

It is worthy of note that the IMO has been working to reduce harmful effects of shipping on environment since 1960. The Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) was adopted in 1997 to address air pollution from shipping.

A statement issued by Isichei Osamgbi, Head, Corporate Communications explained that regulation 14.1.3 of Annex VI of the Convention seeks to control airborne emissions of compounds such as sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and other ozone depleting substances arising from shipping activities in order to mitigate its effects on health and the environment.

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