NLNG Train 7: Uniport to Get US$6M Gas Research Center

The Executive Secretary remarked that the Egina Project remains “the benchmark of upstream project delivery considering its recordbreaking performance in local content practice in the oil and gas industry. The project served as a veritable tool to raise the bar in the development of our in-country capacities and capabilities.”

He added that “the Board is also happy with Total E&P on the implementation of the ‘Adopt a Faculty and the various actions it had taken on the programme.

Wabote also solicited the support of the chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section towards the conclusion of the categorization of in-country oil and gas capacities and capabilities, covering engineering, fabrication yards, testing facilities and training facilities.

Another area of collaboration with OPTS is in the study for local gaskets manufacturing: study, to determine what it will take to produce all the gasket requirements in-country.

He also asked OPTS companies to prove feedstock for newly established modular refineries to increase value addition, local refining, demotivate illegal refiners and stealing of crude.

The Executive Secretary also noted that the Board has made significant progress with the development of Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme in Bayelsa and Cross River states and requested the operating companies to encourage their key suppliers to set up manufacturing shops in the NOGAPS sites as they become operational by end-2022.

The Total MD had remarked earlier that the company had operated in Nigeria for 60 years and is the only IOC that operates in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He indicated that the company developed the last three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platforms in Nigeria and Egina created new records, one of which is recording 40 million manhours in-country.

Sangster also reported that the company had made significant progress with the development of the Ikike Oil Field and would record first oil before the end of 2021. He admitted that “it had been difficult developing the project, particularly with the pandemic, but we are making progress and we appreciate the support from the NCDMB.”

Commenting on the PIB, which underwent public hearing in the National Assembly in January, the OPTS lead advised federal legislators and policy makers to ensure that the fiscal provisions in the law are fair to key stakeholders, so as to stimulate new investments in the industry.

As part of the Human Capital Development Programme for the NLNG Train 7 Project, over three billion Naira (US$6m) has been set aside for the strengthening of the LNG and Gas Research Centre at the University of Port Harcourt. The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote made this known recently when the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Stephen Okodudu paid him a courtesy visit at the Board headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The NCDMB is a key stakeholder in the NLNG project and played an active part in the determination of the Capacity Development Initiatives (CDI) from the project.

Wabote outlined the objectives of the investment in the university to include the establishment of LNG & Gas Research center that will run sustainably and provide solutions to the Oil and Gas industry, equipping selected engineering laboratories and expansion of some facilities.

The intervention would also train some lecturers to operate the facilities as well as establish digital laboratories linked to simulations at the center.

He hinted that under the Human Capital Development for the Bonga North West project by the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO),

the sum of US$.70m had been set aside for the provision of subsea technology equipment and a 23-seater bus will be delivered to the school in quarter 2 of 2021.

The NCDMB boss applauded the participation of Uniport Students in the ongoing Science, Technology and Innovation Challenge which the Board sponsoring. He mentioned that the top institutions in the competition will get facility upgrade.

In his remarks, Prof Stephen Okodudu commended the Board for the developing and promoting indigenous participation in the oil sector. He appreciated the Board for various capacity development interventions it had initiated in the university.

Okodudu sought closer collaboration with NCDMB particularly in Research and Development.

He enumerated the research interests of the university and expertise which could form the basis of strong partnership between the two institutions. He also called on the Board to always consider UNIPORT in all NCDMB programmes, particularly in Research and Development and other areas.

Oil and Gas Park in Bayelsa Ready Q4 2022

.. Shell supports project with CDI

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Park being developed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State would be completed in the 4th quarter of 2022, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has said.

He spoke recently after inspecting construction work at the project site in company with senior management of the Board.

He hinted that his assessment visit was a prelude to the planned tour by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva to the Board’s major projects, including the oil and gas park projects at Emeyal 1 and Odukpani in Cross River State and the Composite Gas Cylinder Manufacturing facility at Polaku.

Wabote expressed delight with the quality and speed of work by the wholly Nigerian contractors. He noted that their work compared favorably with similar jobs across Nigeria and provided evidence that the Board was always acting in accordance with its guidelines on patronage of local service companies.

The park will create a low-cost manufacturing hub that will produce equipment components and spare parts to be utilized in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

The project started with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 27, 2018 and has now reached about 68 percent completion, with four major structures nearly completed, while foundation work was starting on some buildings and parts of the project.

According to the Executive Secretary, “we did the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018 and we were practically inside water; but today, we are seeing structures coming up.

We still have a long way to go because most of the buildings are getting to the finishing stages while some are just starting. We believe that we will complete this project by Q4, 2022.”

Explaining the benefit of the park scheme to the nation’s economy, Wabote hinted that the facility would stimulate the manufacturing of oil and gas components in-country and reverse the current trend whereby the sector depended on importation for most of its finished products.

The park would also save the much-needed foreign exchange for the nation and create jobs for our people, he said. “It will also enhance our capacity and bring about technological innovations because most of those manufacturing will be done here. For the community, it will create a lot of jobs and there will be a spin-off effect to other economic activities. The benefits are enormous.”

He also assured that shortage of electricity would not affect companies that would set up in the park. He said: “We have been able to conquer the challenge of electricity at this site. We have built a 10megawatts gas plant to guaranty power to the site.”

The Executive Secretary also confirmed that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was supporting the oil and gas project through a Capacity Development Initiative (CDI).

Shell’s commitment to the project included the construction of Effluent Treatment Plant, Fire Station and acquisition of two fire trucks. The company also committed to construct water treatment plant, sewage systems and piping network for water.

Energy Theft: Ikeja Electric Introduces Incentives for Whistleblowers

By Ikenna Omeje

In a continued effort to curtail the incidence of Energy theft, Ikeja Electric Plc has introduced incentives for whistleblower who expose energy thieves within its network.

The power distribution company noted that for established cases of energy theft, the whistle-blower will be rewarded from the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit in accordance with the fees stipulated in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Order on Unauthorized Access to Electricity Supply, Meter Tampering and Bypass for non-maximum demand and maximum demand customers.

It further stated that where the culprit is a non-Maximum Demand customer, the whistle-blower receives up to 10 percent of the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit while in a case that involves a Maximum Demand offender, the whistle-blower receives up to 5 percent of the reconnection /penalty paid by the culprit.

According to the company, whistleblowers will only be rewarded after the culprit has made full payment of the fees. However, where the report is made in the name of multiple individuals. Only one whistle blower per case will be rewarded.

A release by the Head, Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, on Thursday stated that whistle-blowers of energy theft cases who wish to be rewarded must provide their full name, contact telephone number, e-mail address and customer account number (where the whistle-blower resides within the IE network); without which it may be difficult to reach out and reward such whistle-blowers. All reports submitted through any medium will be considered confidential.

“The Company views whistleblowing as a positive practice that enables it detect incidents of unethical conduct, fraud and other illegal activities early; thus, providing the opportunity to take corrective measures. This is done in a confidential manner that enables IE investigate the alleged misconduct and take necessary steps to deal with the misconduct,” he said.

In addition, he also stated that where the report is established to have been made in bad faith or for the purposes of personal gain or malicious intent, it will not be eligible for compensation. It also not applicable where the report was not made using the aforementioned whistleblowing channels.

Ofulue further reiterated the Company’s commitment to global best practices in business ethics, stating its strict adherence to its policy of zero tolerance to bribery and corruption, with focus on upholding ethics and integrity.

“Ikeja Electric is committed to a culture of zero-tolerance against fraud, bribery, corruption, misappropriation, illegal activities and unethical conduct throughout its operations”, he said.

He expressed hope that this initiative will bring about a cessation or significant reduction in the widespread scourge of energy theft across its network.

The company also provided phone number, email address as well as other communication channels for customers to make reports in confidentiality; for it to investigate alleged misconduct and take steps to deal with any misconduct

World Bank Approves $500m for FG to Improve Electricity Distribution

By Ikenna Omeje

The World Bank has approved $500 million to support the Federal Government in improving Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector.

The project, the Bank said, would help boost electricity access by improving the performance of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) through a large-scale metering program desired by Nigerians for a long time.

In addition, it said financial support would be provided to private distribution companies only on achievement of results in terms of access connections, improved financial management and network expansion.

According to Bank, 85 million Nigerians don’t have access to grid electricity. This represents 43 percent percent of the country’s population and makes Nigeria the