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“This is the only Logistics base in Bayelsa. In terms of proximity, the IOC s have a lot to gain.
Chief Joseph Penawou
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First Marine and Engineering S er vice s (FME S) i s to commission its logistics base in Bayelsa come April 2020, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Chief Joseph Penawou has said. In an exclusive chat with Majorwaves Energy Report during the 2019 Practical Nigerian Conference (PNC), he said while answering questions on the project, “The base has already been established. The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva graciously came to carry out the inspection on the base this morning. And we are looking at commissioning the base in second quarter of 2020; April precisely.” Speaking on the capacity of the base, Penawou said, “it has a parking area of about 80,000 square kilometres. It is equipped with accommodation that can take over 60 people; office space that can take over 40 people, lock up warehouses too.”
He noted that the base has so many advantages for International Oil Companies (IOCs), because of its proximity to the operation bases of the companies. “Bayelsa has no base.
If you’re coming from Warri or Port Harcourt, it takes you days to get to your operations. From this base, it takes you 8 hours. It’s a cost-saving measure. So, it’s of advantage to those who have their operations around Bayelsa and Brass area to use this base.” Though security is a source of concern for oil companies and ancillary service firms in the Niger Delta area, Penawou stated that the company in its one year operation has had no security challenge. “It’s normal that we operate with JTF. The oil companies also have their own security. We have been here for a year now, so we don’t have issues with that,” he averred. He added that the company is looking at expanding the Base by adding other features that will make it more convenient for its clients. “We are looking at expansion
- building a helipad. We are looking at expanding the base - building oil storage facility that can accommodate over two million litres.”
FMES logistics base is a one-stopshop, which provides all logistical services, including warehousing, material handling equipment, fabrication, assembly yard, crew change management, catering, open and closed storage facilities that can support oil exploration companies with acreage(s) around Bayelsa axis, to be more efficient due to proximity. “ T he proximity ha s the p o t e n t i a l s t o r e d u c e s w a m p a n d o f f s h o r e o p e ra tion s co s t by 4 0 percent and long tran sit time from Port Harcourt to just 8 hours as against the u sual 4 to 5 day s from other locations.
