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Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Signs Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) Deal with Golar LNG, Bolstering Gas Commercialization in Nigeria

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The partners anticipate a final investment decision for the project by December 2024 and first gas by 2027

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 11, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Marine LNG infrastructure developer Golar LNG has signed a Project Development Agreement (PDA) with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the deployment of an FLNG facility offshore Niger Delta. With a capacity of 400-500 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d), the facility will produce LNG, LPG and condensate. The companies are eyeing the end of 2024 to achieve a final investment decision (FID), with first gas production expected by 2027.

Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends both the NNPC and Golar LNG for this industry milestone. The AEC believes that projects such as the FLNG facility will play an instrumental part in scaling up gas commercialization in Nigeria, laying the foundation for a new era of industrialization across the continent.

The Golar LNG-led FLNG facility will monetize proven gas reserves within shallow water acreage in Nigeria and falls under a broader national agenda to monetize the country’s offshore natural gas resources. According to the NNPC, the facility aligns closely with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to leverage Nigerian gas for sustained economic growth and is a major milestone in strengthening commercialization through FLNG infrastructure.

The launch of the FLNG project by the NNPC and Golar LNG marks a crucial step towards bolstering gas commercialization in the country

The FLNG project represents just one of the many key developments underway in Nigeria. In May 2024, Nigeria inaugurated three new gas projects – the expanded AHL Gas Processing Plant, the ANOH Gas Processing Plant and the 23.3-km ANOH to Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Custody Transfer Metering Station Gas Pipeline. Once operational, these projects will collectively supply 500 MMscf/d to the domestic market. Additionally, the development of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is progressing, with feasibility studies for the first section – which connects Morocco to Mauritania and Senegal – nearing completion. The $25-billion project anticipates FID in 2025.

Meanwhile, in 2023, the NNPC signed a Heads of Terms agreement with Nigerian oil and gas company UTM Offshore for the development of the country’s first indigenous FLNG project. In March 2024, the companies announced that the project was advancing to the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning phase. Energy major Shell has also unveiled plans to invest up to $1 billion over the next ten years to develop natural gas in Nigeria, drawing on a high level of global interest in the country’s gas market potential.

Nigeria’s robust pipeline of gas projects is supported by broader policy implementation, which aims to incentivize foreign investment and support project development. In 2021, the country launched its “Decade of Gas” initiative, which served to position gas as a catalyst for industrial growth in Nigeria. The initiative has been supported by additional policy reforms including Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (2021) – which created a licensing framework for the natural gas industry, including provisions related to gas pricing, distribution, flaring and tax incentives; the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan; and the Nigerian Gas Flaring Commercialization Program. These policies place gas as a central engine for economic growth and promote investment across the domestic and regional gas value chain.

“With over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves – the largest in Africa – Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global hub for sustainable energy. The launch of the FLNG project by the NNPC and Golar LNG marks a crucial step towards bolstering gas commercialization in the country, with the project set to unlock a new wave of economic opportunities, job creation and infrastructure development. The AEC commends the efforts of Golar LNG to strengthen Africa’s natural gas infrastructure and looks forward to many more fruitful collaborations among African nations,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. 

The deal comes ahead of the Africa Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – and represents a critical step towards advancing gas monetization in Nigeria. This year’s edition will host a dedicated Invest in Nigeria Energies country spotlight, providing unparalleled insight into the country’s energy sector opportunities. Projects such as the recently-launched FLNG facility – spearheaded by Golar LNG – will be showcased, with companies unpacking the wealth of opportunities available in the Nigerian market. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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

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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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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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