Nigeria must be deliberate in its desire to take opportunities offered by the energy transition, the recognition of gas as a transition fuel and the quest for clean energy to increase its gas investment and harvest the gains from gas, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Dr. Philip Mshelbila, has said.

He said this on Monday during the visit of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, to the NLNG plant on Bonny Island, Rivers State. The Minister was received by Dr. Mshelbila; Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager, Production; Andy Odeh, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development and other management staff.

Briefing the Minister on NLNG’s operations and business, Dr. Mshelbila stressed the need to overcome the challenges within Nigeria’s energy sector. He stated that failure to address the root causes of these issues would perpetuate the country’s struggle with energy poverty and result in a significant loss of revenue from the monetisation of valuable resources.. He stated further that a pivotal starting point for remedying these industry challenges lies in a concentrated effort on the gas sector.

“As we embark on the journey to complete Train 7, we are on the precipice of achieving a remarkable milestone - a capacity of 30 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). This accomplishment will not only position us as one of the largest single-site operations globally but potentially among the top three worldwide in terms of such capacity at a single site. It is an achievement that elevates Nigeria's standing, placing us among the top six nations in this crucial industry.

“However, the world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and recent events, such as the Russian/Ukraine conflict, have ushered in a wave of new developments in the LNG sector. This surge in activity underscores the robust demand for liquefied natural gas, a demand recognized by nations worldwide as integral to the global energy transition. Considering these dynamic changes, our position in the rankings is likely to shift rapidly, as other countries make substantial investments in LNG production. This is why we believe it is important for us to conclude Train 7 and begin to look beyond that for further expansion.

“Today, the biggest challenge we have, one that poses a threat not only to our existing operations but also to our expansion plans, is feed gas supply. Trains 1 to 6 currently operate at roughly half their potential capacity, a situation that has persisted for some time. The main issue behind the challenge is crude oil theft which affects associated gas supply. The plant is half-full, not because we don’t have the capacity but because the feed gas is not there. We have aspiration for Train 8 but we cannot progress that work because we have no line of sight as to where that gas will come from. We believe that the gas can only come from deep water gas but the terms for that must be addressed. At present, the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) that govern deep-water exploration do not offer commercially viable terms for producers.

“Our commitment to harnessing the immense potential of natural gas will not only restore Nigeria’s reputation as a major energy powerhouse but also propel us towards a cleaner, greener future. With innovation, collaboration by a wide array of stakeholders, including the government, and unwavering determination, we can shape the energy landscape of tomorrow, driving economic prosperity, creating jobs, and mitigating environmental challenges through gas,” he said.

Responding to the briefing, Rt. Hon. Ekpo, said the Federal Government will continue to encourage engagements amongst stakeholders to resolve gas supply and security issues and restore plans to compete with peers in the world. He stated that NLNG stand as a leading light to the Nigeria’s quest to become an energy-efficient country where clean energy, including gas, utilised.

He stated further that all hands must be on deck to stop the loss of revenue in the sector and missed opportunities, adding that the Federal Government is engaging with investors to tap into the huge gas reserves in Nigeria.

“The development of gas is something we should pursue vigorously. The present administration will do everything possible to address the issues. I am glad that the stakeholders in the sector, like NLNG, are not laid back. They are constantly seeking ways out of this issue. NLNG needs all the necessary encourage to expand. It is for the good of this country. We must be quick to make these gains in development for the benefit of our future generations,” he stated.

During the visit, the Minister took a tour of the Central Control Room (CCR), the plant complex and the Train 7 construction site.

•PHOTO: L-R; Busari Kamaru, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Nnamdi Anowi, GM, Production (NLNG), and Dr. Philip Mshelbila, MD/CEO (NLNG), during a visit of the minister’s to NLNG’s Train 7 construction site on Bonny Island . . . Monday

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