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SPDC’s Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 Comes On Stream …As Firm Spends N10.5trn On Host Communities
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has commenced production at Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2, a key project in the Niger Delta that will help to boost gas supply to the domestic market and maintain supply to the export market.
A statement by Shell, made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, said Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 follows the success of the first phase of the Gbaran-Ubie integrated oil and gas development, which was commissioned in June 2010.
It explained that peak production at Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 is expected in 2019 with approximately 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent (kboe) per day.
A breakdown of this peak period production is approximately 864 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscf/d) and 26,000 barrels of condensate per day.
SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said “The latest development at Gbaran-Ubie is a powerful statement on the continuing commitment of SPDC and our Joint Venture partners to harness Nigeria’s oil and gas resources for the benefit of the country and stakeholders”.
“The project was delivered safely through an integrated team with a significant engagement and empowerment of community service providers and Nigerian companies,” Okunbor added.
The Tide gathered that 18 wells have been drilled and a new pipeline constructed between Kolo Creek and Soku, which connects the existing Gbaran-Ubie Central Processing Facility (CPF) to the Soku Non-Associated Gas (NAG) plant.
First gas flowed from the wells in March, 2016, with the facilities coming on stream in July, 2017.
Vice President, Nigeria and Gabon, Peter Costello, said: “This is exciting news for Nigeria as it signals Shell’s continued strategy of deploying investment and expertise in our areas of strength.
“Our aim is to continue to explore areas of partnership in Nigeria where the right conditions exist and where we can add best value,” Costello added.
The Tide investigation show that Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 will help to process the condensate from Kolo Creek, Gbaran, Koroama and Epu fields, thereby assisting in reducing the volume of flaring from SPDC operations.
The project has contributed to economic development in the Niger Delta and assisted the local community and Nigerian companies.
During construction, members of the community and local sub-contractors provided goods and services in line with the provisions of a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
Training was also provided to the community in pipeline maintenance, scaffolding, welding and piping fabrication.
SPDC is the operator of a joint venture (the SPDC JV) involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC,) SPDC, Total E&P Nigeria Ltd and ENI subsidiary Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited.
Meanwhile, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said it has made an economic contribution of $29billion (approximately N10, 564,127,764,127.76) to Nigerian Government as well as empowering and positively impacting on lives, especially in its host communities in the Niger Delta region and the country at large in the last five years.
The company explained that on the average, it contributes N7billion monthly for the implementation of Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and Social Investment initiatives in the region.
This was disclosed during an integrated stakeholders’ forum organized by SPDC-JV for its host communities from Ahoada-West in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
Shell General Manager, External Relations, Mr Igo Weli stated that Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) work in partnership with state governments, communities and civil society groups to implement policies on social investment that would better the lives of Nigerians, especially those in host communities.
“This is done through Social Investment activities, which focus on community and enterprise development, education, health, access to energy and road safety. This, however, excludes community-driven development programmes and initiatives delivered through GMoU which focuse on various themes as determined by benefitting communities,” Weli said.
Represented by the Shell Stakeholder Relations Manager, Dr Alice Ajeh emphasized that the GMoU cluster community for Ekpeye, which was frozen for many years ago, has now been reactivated, noting that all payments made in respect to GMoU implementation were available for perusal by affected communities.
He stressed that while forming the community clusters for the proper utilization of funds for the GMoU, SPDC strives to ensure that 30 per cent of members were women while 70 per cent men.
The general manager explained that the chairmen of the Cluster Development Boards make up the governing body for the GMoU, adding that the board provides for the immediate basic needs of their communities.
He noted that plans were underway to organize interactive forum with the community cluster development boards (CDBs) to provide accountability platform on how they have been utilising the monthly N7billion GMoU fund.
Speaking, the Cluster Board Chairman, Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Isaac Abraham stated that SPDC has positively impacted on the people of the area, adding that the company was not to blame for the many infrastructure deficit issues in communities.
Abraham commended SPDC for positively impacting on the lives of host communities, especially the youth, adding that if other stakeholders were fulfilling their obligations as much as Shell, the Niger Delta would have been transformed.
“I said I have positive commendation for SPDC because for several years, if you go to the grassroots, there is no presence of government, but what we experience as development here now is from SPDC through the proper utilisation of GMoU funds.
We are ready to give account of how we spent the GMoU fund,” he said.
In separate interviews with The Tide on the way forward to reduce the high rate of pipeline vandalism and sabotage of crude oil assets in the Niger Delta, some concerned youth of communities in Abua/Odual, Ekpeye and Engenni, expressed readiness to collaborate with Shell to safeguard critical oil and gas facilities in host communities.
The Uwema Aminigbo Community Palace Secretary, January Igoma, appealed to SPDC to make Aminigboko Emughan Community hospital built since 1995, functional, adding that the community wants the medical staff withdrawn from the facility reinstated.
He also listed other demands as rehabilitation of the two water projects, the Owerewere Link Road, Emughan junction linking Aminigboko Road, as well as the Emesu linking the Emesu Waterside Road.
Speaking, the Engenni people listed their demands to include scholarship to the youth, reconstruction of internal roads, skills acquisition programmes, pipe-borne water, employment and empowerment opportunities for the people, while urging for investment in agriculture development to make the people self-sufficient in food production.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.