Business
Rivers Host First Modular LPG Plants … As FG Commissions Project
The Green Energy and Lekoil Joint Venture (JV) have built a 12-million cubic feet gas extraction plant and 20-megawatts gas power plant at the Otakikpo field in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The two key gas and power infrastructure projects, originally developed by Green Energy and Lekoil Joint Venture (JV), marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s gas sector.
The projects are envisioned to actualize Nigeria’s vision for adopting gas as the transition fuel of choice, and lolespecially as the global discussion of energy sustainability gathers momentum.
Giving highlights of the project, Chairman of Green Energy International Limited, Operator of Otakikpo field, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe, explained that the inauguration of the twin projects was the realiszation of the firm’s commitment to the federal government to implement a pilot project of the World Bank Gas Flares Reduction Programme (GFRP), based on Small Scale Gas Utilization Programme (SSGUP).
Adegbulugbe explained that the idea was to provide a unique model that ensures oil exploration from the field that not only eliminates gas flares, but ensures that associated gas is monetized through utilisation for domestic gas, power generation and other products in the value chain for the economic advancement of the host communities and the nation generally.
Adegbulugbe, who explained that the field was awarded to Green Energy International Ltd. in 2014 by the Federal Government, however, expressed regret that the project suffered over 20 months of setback with the COVID-19 pandemic which shut down the entire world.
“But by the grace of God, the Joint Venture undaunted by the unexpected set back at a huge cost overrun, rebounded, and by January last year, we started a test run. At completion, the two projects cost the JV over $60million”, he explained.
He added that the installation and operations of the plant was implemented 100 per cent by Nigerian young men and women who cut across a wide spectrum of professional backgrounds with significant number from the Niger Delta and Host communities.
“The workforce are managed by a set of world-class professionals at the board and management levels”, the Green Energy International boss declared.
Adegbulugbe lauded the cooperation of the technical partner, Lekoil Oil and Gas Company, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Olalekan Akinyanmi, saying, “Upon entering into a partnership with us, the company aligned with our vision, and we have jointly achieved this successful outcome”.
Also speaking, the Lekoil boss, said the event marked a significant milestone, not just for Lekoil and Green Energy International, but for Nigeria’s energy future.
He said, “The commissioning of the Otakikpo LPG Extraction Plant and the 20MW Gas-to-Power Project is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and unwavering commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
“From the very beginning, our partnership has been anchored on a shared mission to unlock the full potential of the Otakikpo Field, harness our nation’s vast gas resources, and drive economic transformation through reliable power generation.
“What we see here today is a direct result of that synergy. Together, we have demonstrated that when companies align their strengths, expertise, and ambition, we can deliver innovative solutions that benefit not just our stakeholders, but the communities and industries that rely on us”.
He also expressed gratitude to Green Energy International, their partners, the government, and all those who contributed to making the project a reality.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, while commissioning the projects, said coming on stream of the projects is pivotal for actualising Nigeria’s vision for adopting gas as the transition fuel of choice, especially as the global discussion of energy sustainability gathers momentum.
Ekpo, who commended the joint venture on the initiative, said the mandate of President Bola Tinubu to him was to drive the development of the gas sector in the country, with a dedicated and strategic focus on development of Nigeria’s natural resources (gas), noting that Nigeria ranks eight in the whole world and largest in Africa with 33 percent of Africa gas reserve.
The Minister said, “The creation of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) by Mr. President reflects the foresight and wisdom of Mr. President in ensuring a dedicated and strategic focus on development of our natural resources (gas).
“It is gratifying to observe that the joint venture has made significant strides in complying with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 particularly your establishment of the distinct midstream entity First Otakikpo Midstream Limited (FOML), to manage the gas business.”
Ekpo assured that the Tinubu-led administration would remain committed to supporting the JV’s aspirations as they continue to expand their investment blueprint within Nigerian gas sector, saying; “Another remarkable and commendable milestone worthy of recognition is the development of the 20 megawatts gas to power generation plant which I understand is being deployed to support your rapidly expanding field operations”.
According to him, the excess power generated from the power plant would be made available to local industries through the establishment of an industrial park targeting agro-allied ventures, small and medium scale enterprises and the surrounding communities.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
The Board stated this in a statement released by its Corporate Communications Directorate to newsmen, recently, during the inauguration of 140 trainees for the Train 7 Project.
The trainees had undergone the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC-HCD) programme it organised in partnership with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Tide gathered that the training programme was an intensive three-month Advanced NC-HCD Programme for the US$5 billion NLNG Train 7 Project on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
The trainees, The Tide further learnt are graduates in different academic disciplines who have completed a 12-month Basic Training Programme in diverse oil-and-gas-industry-related skill sets and are now set for an on-the-job phase which includes active hands-on participation in operational areas such as Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), Commissioning, and Desktop Programmes.
The Corporate Communications Directorate of the NCDMB told The Tide that in November 2024, a set of 331 trainees under Batch A of the NLNG T7 HCD Training Programme began capacity development in facility management, engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Health Safety and Environment (HSE), Quality Assurance and Quality Control, as well as welding and fabrication.
According to the Board, additional 77 trainees under Batch B of the same Training Programme began capacity development in data analytics and supply chain management among several other fields relevant to the operations of the oil and gas industry.
While addressing the trainees and trainers who were drawn from the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Management Personnel of the NCDMB and NLNG, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Advanced NC-HCD training is more than a milestone.
“The NC-HCD training programme is an expression of the collective commitment of the Board and the NLNG to nurturing world-class Nigerian professionals who will shape the future of our oil and gas industry.
“The Board has remained steadfast in its conviction that Human Capital Development is a critical investment in the sustainability and competitiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain”, the NCDMB boss said.
He said the situation has resulted in widened knowledge gaps and operational challenges.
As a globally regulated sector, he said it was important that stakeholders put measures in place to attract the talents required to move the industry forward.
Keyamo, therefore, called on stakeholders in the industry to be deliberate in identifying, encouraging, nurturing and harvesting young talents to ensure a sustainable supply of manpower to the aviation sector.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the FAAN, Mrs Obiageli Orah, in a release made available to aviation correspondents, noted that the Minister deemed it necessary to attract the right quality of human resources required to move the sector forward.
“As a globally regulated sector, it is important that stakeholders put measures in place to continually attract the right quality and quantity of human resources required to move the industry forward.
“It is important to note that organising training programmes are avenues through which we can breed, nurture, and harvest such human resources.
“One of the critical challenges facing the industry is the ageing and retiring workforce, leading to widened knowledge gaps and operational issues.
“Training programmes, I believe, is among other things designed to make aviation appealing to the younger generation, while encouraging them to develop interest in taking up a career in the industry”, the statement stated.
Meanwhile, some aviation stakeholders have expressed concerns of countless young Nigerians who seek to make their mark in aviation, tourism, and the wider transport ecosystem but often face steep barriers to entry.
According to them, lack of access, limited mentorship, financial constraints, skill mismatches, and systemic gaps, among others, have posed some constraints to them.
The Tide gathered that by the appointment, Ogbe becomes Nigeria’s representative on the Board of the 18-member continental body, which has its headquarters at Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
Ogbe was picked for this role by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who doubles as the Chairman of the NCDMB Governing Council.
The notice of the Executive Secretary’s appointment was conveyed in a congratulatory letter signed by the Director of Support Services, APPO, Mrs. Philomena Ikoko, on behalf of the Secretary-General of the organisation, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim.
She applauded the NCDMB boss on the confidence reposed in him by the Minister, expressing her belief that he would make immense contributions to the development of the African oil and gas industry.
Mrs Ikoko stated that Ogbe was joining the Executive Board of APPO at a challenging time for the oil and gas industry, especially in Africa.
“Your appointment is a major call to duty for Nigeria and the continent. The secretariat will give you the support you will need to make a success of your assignment”, she said.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, the NCDMB played key roles in catalysing the operations of APPO and the development of local content in Africa.
The statement added that the board was providing institutional support and mentorship to several oil producing countries in their formulation of local content policies.
“The NCDMB initiated the African Local Content Roundtable (ALCR) and hosted the inaugural edition in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, in June 2021, and the event was attended by key officials of APPO and other oil industry players.
“The idea for the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) was mooted by NCDMB’s officials at the event, as one of the strategies that would accelerate the growth of the African oil and gas industry and deepen local content.
“The Board also collaborated with APPO to host subsequent editions of the African Local Content Roundtable (ALCR), including the 2023 edition held at Abuja.
“The Africa Energy Bank, which APPO is setting up at Abuja, is aimed at pooling financial resources needed to fund big-ticket oil and gas projects across the continent, and bridge funding challenges currently impeding the development of the sector”, the NCDMB’S said.
Meanwhile, the APPO Secretary-General has said the Africa Energy Bank seeks to fund oil and gas projects across economies in Africa and help to plug critical financing gaps that exist through the continent’s over reliance on financiers from the West.
He added that each APPO member country is expected to raise $83 million with an objective of raising $5 billion capital for the establishment of the Bank.
The Tide learnt that recently Nigeria, Angola and Ghana have contributed their share capital for the African Energy Bank, which represents 44 percent of the trio’s contributions to the minimum capital that is required from oil producing countries in the continent.
It would be recalled that at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) held recently, the NCDMB’s Scribe confirmed that the agency was part of key institutions that pooled resources for the formation of the Africa Energy Bank.
Ogbe announced that the Bank will open for business before the end of the 2nd quarter of this year, 2025, expressing hope that it will create more funding availability for local oil and gas projects and companies.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had stated at the Offshore Technology Conference that Afrexim Bank has already raised $19billion for the take-off of the Africa Energy Bank.
According to him, $14 billion out of the funds represents the bank’s financial exposure on African oil and gas projects, with the additional $5 billion as take-off capital.
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