Oil & Energy
Unmasking Oil Thieves In Nigeria
More chilly revela
tions have emerged to show that not only operators of thousands of tiny illegal oil refineries dotting the Niger Delta landscape are involved in crude oil theft, but that some high authorities entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the nation’s crude are neck deep in the mega naira oil theft, after all.
On their part, those in high authority are pointing accusing fingers at some host communities, multinational oil companies including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), men of Joint Task Force and even some elements in the presidency.
At the recently concluded second Delta Oil and Gas stakeholders conference held in Effurum, Delta State, the Itsekiri Regional Development Council accused oil companies and military men of being involved in the illegal crude oil bunkering deals in the Niger Delta region.
Chairman of the council, Chief Ayirimi Emmanuel, alleged that host communities benefit through handouts and other forms hence would not offer information or report those involved and urged the multinationals to look inward in their quest for an answer to the menace.
He also accused the oil companies, saying the technical skills needed to carryout illegal bunkering operations were beyond the knowledge of the layman.
Emmanuel explained further that companies were insincere in reporting illegal bunkering activities by exaggerating figures involved for fraudulent reasons.
He said, “If one barrel of crude is stolen, the oil companies would say it is 10 and the balance goes into their account thereby benefiting from the crime.”
The accusation of the Itsekiri chief that the military men where also involved received the support of the Governor of Delta State, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, who explained that the military men have the responsibility of securing all the three entry and exit points in the state.
He wondered how the illegal crude dealers could always pass unnoticed when the military men are at their strategic checkpoints.
Governor Uduaghan argued that even him as the governor was being stopped at each of the check points when passing and wondered how vessels and boats of the illegal bunkerers pass through the checks.
The Managing Director of SPDC, Mr Mutui Sunmonu tried so hard to exonerate staff of the company from illicit crude deal, but he said he could not vouch for thousands of SPDC contract staff.
The SPDC boss who lamented at the scope of illegal bunkering activities also remarked that operators involved trained engineers instead of the layman.
What could be more perturbing was the bombshell from a former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesiegha who last week accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of shielding oil thieves during his administration.
At an interactive session between the National Conference Committee on Public Finance and Revenue and officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which took place Monday in Abuja, the former Bayelsa State governor told the public how he arrested some oil thieves, but to his astonishment the former president shielded them from prosecution.
He narrated, “I had an experience. Tankers were loaded in Bayelsa. I got the information and laid ambush for them and arrested them. About 14 big tankers and they were handed over to the police.”
“They were charged to court and the judge ordered that the product should be tested. NNPC was invited, they came out as agro chemical and they were all released,” the former governor continued.
Chief Alamieyesiegha said when he confronted the ex-president and accused him of being the chief bunkerer, the ex-president, “started mentioning names. I said, oh, you are the chief bunkerer. I confirm you know them. Don’t call me again.”
The ex-Bayelsa State executive officer went further to disclose that expatriates are even more involved in the crime than Nigerians, stressing that local boys who were regularly arrested for oil theft were mere escorts with no international connections to sell stolen crude oil.
News is awash with daily arrest of many illegal oil bunkerers both offshore and onshore. Men of the JTF in collaboration with other security agencies destroy their facilities and its contents yet, the transaction remain unabated.
Experts and regulatory authorities have lamented that billions of naira worth of crude oil was being stolen thereby sabotaging the economy of the country.
This trend coupled with lack of transparency in accounting for the value of crude sales by the regulatory authorities have continued to deny Nigerians of the needed social amenities resulting in crisis in education, health sectors as well as lack of strategic infrastructure.
Apart from the economic loss, hazard caused by the illegal bunkering activities on the environment cannot be over emphasised.
The resultant oil pollution has rendered farm lands which were formerly fertile to be barren and aquatic lives wickedly destroyed. Thereby denying the local farmers their major sources of livelihood.
The question is, how would Nigeria be able to surmount the hydra-headed illegal oil bunkering phenomenon? SPDC boss, in submitting solution, called for urgent and concerted efforts that should embrace local, national, regional and international levels to address the situation.
He suggested that such action plan should also include improved intelligence gathering, stronger policing and the prosecution of suspected criminals.
The oil sector has become the most controversial in the country in the past two decades. Inclusion of the native people who feel excluded from the policies of the government and oil exploration companies should also be explored.
At least when the host communities have the sense of belonging in the sharing of oil proceeds, the could as well redouble their efforts in protecting the common good.
Another alternative which a school of thought has always put forward is that of legalizing the activities of illegal refineries.
The argument being pushed forward is that as the government owned refineries across the country, with all the experts cannot work up to acceptable capacity, leading to incessant scarcity and wholesome importation of petroleum products, the native refineries should be empowered by supplying to them, enough crude to refine for the masses.
Those in the school of thought believe that with needed training and adequate supply, their activities could become legal, monitored and of better benefits to the nation.
Some commentators have also frowned at the mass destruction of facilities and large volume of crude by the military task force.
Instead of destroying the vessels, boats, vehicles used in illegal bunkering including setting ablaze the contents, the government could as well sieze and converts them to its property to control the wastage, health, and economic hazard caused by such massive destruction in time of extreme need.
As efforts geared towards reducing the rate of economic sabotage through crude theft, involvement of the caretakers,’ especially those entrusted with protection of he nation’s economy would only dim the confidence of Nigerians in the fight.
It is most disturbing that Ex-President Obasanjo has not reacted to the public accusation of Chief Alamesiegha, especially at a time some of those in high quarters are being viewed as the hunters that should rather be the hunted for their nefarious activities.
Chris Oluoh
Traders have not been this bearish on oil in months or so bullish on United States natural gas in years.
The latest data on money managers’ positioning in the WTI and Brent crude and U.S. natural gas futures showed two contrasting trends—speculators are betting that oil prices would remain low or go even lower while increasing the bets that natural gas prices would continue marching higher.
So far this year, geopolitical and supply and demand factors have been increasingly bearish for the oil price outlook and increasingly bullish for natural gas prices.
In the oil market, hedge funds and other portfolio managers have been slashing their bullish bets since the end of January, when the U.S. sanctions on Russia’s oil trade were the primary bullish driver of managed money to bet on a tightening market.
With U.S. President, Donald Trump, now in office, the sentiment has quickly soured amid the president’s insistence on lower oil prices, his efforts to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, and – most of all – the enormous uncertainty about on-and-off tariffs and tariff threats and their potential impact on the American economy.
As a result, market participants are preparing for lower oil prices, even amid expectations of declining oil supply from Iran and Venezuela due to President Trump’s hawkish policy toward these OPEC producers.
Speaking of OPEC, the wider OPEC+ group has just said it would begin increasing supply as of April, adding further downward pressure on prices.
Faced with all these bearish drivers, money managers have been reducing their bullish bets on crude oil futures, with the U.S. WTI Crude hitting the lowest net long position – the difference between bullish and bearish bets – in 15 years at the end of February.
In the week to March 4, the latest reporting week with data released on March 7, speculators bought WTI amid a major selloff in all other commodities except for U.S. natural gas.
The net long in WTI rebounded from the 15-year low, but it wasn’t because the market suddenly started betting on higher prices going forward. The rise in WTI buying and the net long was the result of short covering in the U.S. crude futures contract.
In Brent, hedge funds cut their bullish-only bets in the week to March 4 for the biggest decline in longs since July 2024.
Unlike in crude oil, money managers have become increasingly bullish on U.S. natural gas after inventories dipped this winter to below the five-year average as demand surged in the coldest winter for six years.
The net long in natural gas further swelled in the week to March 4, as the number of new bullish bets was four times higher than the new short positions.
“Natural gas continues to benefit from rising demand, both domestically in the US and towards exports via LNG,” Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said, commenting on the latest Commitment of Traders report.
At the start of the winter heating season in November, U.S. natural gas inventories were higher than average for the time of the year as America entered the season with stocks at their highest level since 2016.
These stocks, however, were quickly depleted during the coldest winter for six years, with demand for space heating and power generation soaring. A month before the end of the winter heating season, U.S. natural gas inventories have now slumped to below the five-year average and well below the levels from the same time in 2024, at the end of a mild winter.
The lower inventories and the higher demand – both for domestic consumption and LNG exports – have pushed prices higher, encouraging producers to boost gas output this year. Traders bet that prices will go even higher as demand from LNG plants is set to accelerate with the ramp-up of new U.S. export plants.
Paraskova writes for Oilprice.com.
By: Tsvetana Paraskova
Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings says it has successfully completed the acquisition of 100 percent equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Spokesperson of the company, Tony Okonedo, who disclosed this in a Press Release, Last Thursday, said Renaissance has completed all processes for the full transfer of ownership of SPDC to the consortium, adding that it will now operate as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
“Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings today announced that it has successfully completed the landmark transaction between itself and Shell for the acquisition of the entire (100%) equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
“This follows the signing of a sale and purchase agreement with Shell in January 2024 and obtaining all regulatory approvals required for the transaction. Going forward, SPDC will be renamed as ‘Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
“Going forward, SPDC will be renamed as ‘Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’.
“Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings is a consortium consisting of four successful Nigerian independent oil and gas companies: ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings Plc. FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited and the Waltersmith Group, each with considerable operations experience in the Niger Delta, and Petrolin, an international energy company with global trading experience and a pan African outlook”, the statement reads.
Speaking on the acquisition, the Managing Director/CEO, Renaissance Africa Energy Holding,Tony Attah, said Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has a vision to be the leading oil and gas producer in Africa and to help the continent achieve energy security.
Attah expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support and pledged the company’s commitment to the Petroleum Industry Act.
“We are extremely proud to have completed this strategic acquisition. The Renaissance vision is to be ‘Africa’s leading oil and gas company, enabling energy security and industrialization in a sustainable manner’.
“We and our shareholder companies are therefore pleased that the Federal Government has given the green light for this milestone acquisition in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act”, he said.
The CEO acknowledged the contributions of Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in facilitating the deal.
He said, “we extend our appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, the CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the CEO of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for their foresight and belief, paving the way for the rapid development of Nigeria’s vast oil and gas resources as strategic accelerator for the country’s industrial development”.
The Statement further revealed that Renaissance partner companies collectively have an asset base of more than $3 billion and currently safely produce approximately 100,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from 12 oil mining leases and operate two functioning modular refineries in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
The Federal Government has cautioned oil-rich communities against infighting and disruption of oil production, saying it could hinder their access to the Host Community Development Fund.
Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made the appeal while speaking at the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Lokpobiri noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was enacted to bring stability to the oil sector and address longstanding grievances about underdevelopment in host communities.
He lamented, however, that internal disputes among stakeholders have made it difficult for these communities to access and utilize the funds meant for their development.
Lokpobiri insisted that host communities must overcome internal conflicts that hinder their access to the funds.
“This KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum is to see how host communities can maximize the benefits from the Host Communities Trust Funds as prescribed by the PIA.
“If oil production is disrupted, everyone loses — the Federal Government, oil companies, and the host communities themselves. That is why host communities must collaborate with the government and oil companies to ensure smooth operations” Lokpobiri stated.
The Minister called on Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) in the Niger Delta to effectively utilize the 3% operational funds allocated to them under the PIA 2021 to drive sustainable development.
He further called that oil-producing communities should take ownership of the oil and gas facilities within their domains and work with relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable benefits.
“As stakeholders who have their respective stakes in oil and gas operations in the country, we should work together to ensure that we maximize the benefits of oil and gas.”
The minister also emphasized the global push for cleaner energy, warning that the relevance of fossil fuels depends on their extraction and marketability.
“Don’t forget there is a global campaign against the continuation of production of fossil fuel.
“Fossil fuel will never go away. Fossil fuel will not have any value unless you bring it out of the ground or from the sea to the market, that is why we need this collaboration,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Omotsola Ogbe, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to leveraging the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Represented by the Board’s Director of Legal Services, Naboth Onyesoh, Ogbe noted that the NCDMB’s Community Content Guidelines were designed to ensure sustained community engagement as local content is prioritized throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Ogbe praised the KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust for its efforts in ensuring that oil revenues benefit local communities.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, First E & P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, described the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum as a crucial platform for discussing and strategizing solutions to the challenges facing marginalized communities in the Niger Delta.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to fostering meaningful and sustainable development in the region.
The forum, themed “Envisioning Sustainable Community Development in Niger Delta Host Communities: Identifying Challenges and Actualising The PIA Paradigm Shift,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for maximising the benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA).