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MSGBC 2023: The Future of Natural Gas in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

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A panel session during Energy Capital & Power’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2023 conference and exhibition explored the future of natural gas in the global energy landscape

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, November 22, 2023/APO Group/ — 

An insightful panel discussion during the second day of the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2023 conference and exhibition, sponsored by national industrial and mining company, the Société national industrielle et miniére, featured the participation of regional and international energy leaders and explored the role of natural gas in the global energy landscape. The panelists examined changing market dynamics as a result of the global energy transition, sustainability initiatives, and technological innovations in the sector.

Presenting an attractive option for stabilizing the path towards renewable energy development while reducing carbon emissions in the short term, the role of natural gas in Africa has the potential to drive electrification, socioeconomic development, and resource monetization on the continent. As such, the panelists noted that the share of natural gas in the global energy mix is poised to increase to 26% by 2050.

“The role of gas is huge and has a very bright future,” stated Rafik Amara, Senior Gas Analyst for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, adding, “We are seeing that natural gas will overcome coal in the energy mix in the next three-to-four years and will be the most-used fuel from 2040 onwards. Natural gas is the only approach to achieving energy market stability.”

Estimated to contain more than 100 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas, the MSGBC region is well-positioned to leverage its immense endowment of natural resources to attract foreign investors while promoting regional collaboration and integration. What’s more, the panelists noted the importance of regional gas-to-power development and LNG export as a model to ensure and develop consistent economic development.

“We have energy, but the question is how to develop it. To develop this 100 tcf, we will need innovative development schemes and we have to have aligned objectives with partners, including with National Oil Companies,” stated Ismail Mohamed Sid Ahmed, Vice President and Mauritania Country Manager for upstream oil company, Kosmos Energy, adding, “This duality between gas-to-power and LNG export is a model we see that will develop a cash flow and part if it has to be reinvested into coming projects.”

We are seeing that natural gas will overcome coal in the energy mix in the next three-to-four years and will be the most-used fuel from 2040 onwards

It is estimated that natural gas will be responsible for approximately 30% of Africa’s total energy demand increase by 2050. As such, the panelists highlighted the significant discoveries in the MSGBC region – including the 13-tcf BirAllah Conventional Gas Development, the 15-tcf Grand Tortue Ahemyim gas field, and the 20-tcf Yakaar Teranga Conventional Gas Development – as imperative towards driving electrification, industrial development, and the energy transition in West Africa.

“We see innovation as a catalyst,” stated Pierre-Edouard Crouzier, Project Manager at engineering and technology company, Technip Energies, adding, “This is what enables us to deliver projects with requirements that have been spelled out during our discussions here today.”

It was noted that significant upstream investment and long-term contracts will be required to realize the potential of natural gas in the region. Speaking for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy, Khroumbaly Lehbib, Advisor for Hydrocarbons for the ministry highlighted the government’s role in developing a favorable investment environment for International Oil Companies to participate in the MSGBC region’s energy space.

“The government’s role is to create a stable legal and regulatory regime to partner with capable national and international companies who can deliver on their commitment,” Lehbib stated, adding, “We have good quality partners in the energy and oil and gas sectors, and we hope that in the next ten years, MSGBC can become one of the biggest global players in the oil and natural gas markets.”

With targets to ensure universal access to electricity and the need to develop less-carbon intensive energy resources, the panel showcased the enhancement and expansion of infrastructure as a requisite to stimulate domestic gas demand in West Africa. Furthermore, it was noted that reliable gas has the potential to provide quick access to energy for the 600 million Africans currently living without adequate access to electricity.

“The more we advance in the efficiency of gas turbines, the more we lean towards gas-focused solutions,” stated Ousmane Ndoye, Managing Director for Senegal at global energy company, GE Vernova, adding, “Gas is a key differentiator for the region today. It allows for rapid growth, thanks to quick access to electricity and it is also a reliable and sustainable transitional energy.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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