Oil and gas
Again Kyari gives early August for Port Harcourt refinery to deliver refined PMS
***Says with Dangote Refinery Nigeria would be a net exporter of refined products
**2 million barrels oil production per day to be attained soon
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari has again declared that the Portharcourt Refinery will be on stream early August.
Recall that on March 14, 2024 shortly after meeting with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of the country’s four refineries Kyari had also given two weeks as tentative date for the Port Harcourt refinery to begin to deliver refined petroleum products which never saw the light of day.
This time around he assured the Senate Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Sani Musa that “I don’t have any confirmation at this moment, so that nobody quotes me and says, oh, you keep lying. No, we’re not lying to you, Mr. President. This is a technical process.
“Yes, I’m aware that there are several comments in the public space around refining business and domestic production, including production that will come from the commissioned Dangote refinery. Yes, this country, as we have said, will be a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of this year.
“We’re very optimistic that by December this country will be a net exporter. That means a combination of production coming from us, and also from Dangote refinery and other smaller producing companies that we know are in line to do this.
“So I can confirm to you, Mr. Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.
“And specific to NNPC refinery. As you recall, and we have spoken to a number of your committees, that it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come to operation before December, it will get to December. Both Warri and Kaduna.
“Let me explain this very clearly. We did have mechanical completion of the porthacourt refinery, which means that every technical work that is required to get the refinery on to work has been completed. This is what we announced December last year, if you recall.
“Once you are mechanically completed for an existing refinery, even for new ones, there are a number of technical steps that you have to take when you are introducing hydrocarbon into this plant. It is only then that you will see the real challenges of even a new refinery. And I can confirm to you today that we have gone through this.
“We are already introducing hydrocarbon under a hot situation, that’s what we call it. And I’m very sure that latest by early August, the porthacourt refinery will start producing product.
“And of course, the new one will get to December. And Warri will also be in production. I’m very optimistic.
“We do our best of intention. You can put debts on a refinery start-up, but it is when you get to start-up that you see the real challenges, even for a new refinery.
“As you can see, even a new, porthacourt refinery, it really has to take steps and processes to get it to full operationality.
“This is very normal in a refinery operation. So we don’t put hard debts on it because there are things that you are never in control. Otherwise, I can confirm to you that we are taking every step to make sure that it works.
He gave the confirmation that NNPC and the oil and gas industry is very critical in bringing a turnaround in the current economic situation of the country adding that they understand its importance.
“We are taking every step that is practical for us to achieve this.
We have already seen growth in our oil and gas production because of certain actions that Mr. President personally took, and also the very mere truth that we have also declared a war on production activities, and this is painful.
“The combination of these two has now seen us restoring production in our country, and we believe that, as the Honorable Minister has said, we will have a line of sight to the 2 million barrels production and subsequent growth in production.
“Also, we are affirming that NNPCL will keep to its responsibility under the Petroleum Industry Act, which requires that we ensure national energy security when everyone else walks away. And we are confirming also that we have sufficient product supply in our country.
“There is no cause for any alarm today, and we are guaranteeing this supply.”
That’s why the huge challenges that it poses to our resources and, of course, the many multitude of issues that are raising those challenges, including cross-border smuggling and so on, but we are living up to this.
“The respective government institutions are taking their place, they are playing their part, and we are seeing a clear indication of success in this direction, while NNPCL continues to be the enormous predator that continues to supply petroleum products to the industry. But this is a requirement of the law.
“We will continue to do this, and I will give you further details during the executive session. Otherwise, Mr. Chairman, we believe that this company will continue to its responsibility. We are making progress.
“We are returning bundles to shareholders. We are restoring all the confidence that is required on this company to serve its shareholders. We are the owner of the Nigerian population on the basis of the provisions of the law.
”
The Chairman of the Committee while responding said having heard from him and the ministers, “It’s about economic growth. It’s about how we can get our policies to work. How we will support Nigerians.
“The National Assembly is very concerned because we are the representatives of the people. And we are obliged to ask what is happening. And this is the reason why such a meeting is very important.
“And we have heard from them. At least they have given us a preamble of the activities going on. On how our economy can get back to track.
“You are all aware of the obstructions our economy have had in the previous years. And it’s not going to be easy that overnight, in 365 days or in one year of the coming administration, things will change. It will be gradual.
“And I believe that Nigerians will persevere. This is the only time we can all come together as Nigerians to give His Excellency the President all the needed support. In order to get us out of all the trouble we have been.
“And you can see the indicators are showing that the economy is doing well. The only thing is that things are a bit difficult because it’s not easy for an inflation that has gone up to go down like that. It takes time.
“There are some indices, there are some indicators that have to work together. It’s not like having positive and negative cables. When you put the two together, you will achieve what you want to achieve.
“But when you say, okay, everything should go negative, it will not work. So we have had negativities in the economy. And now we are trying to bring the positivities to work.”
In his own submission, the CBN Governor represented by Deputy Governor ( Economic Policy ) Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, said the tripple challenges of rising inflation, foreign exchange rate fluctuations and food inflation , would take downward trend soonest as indicators to that effect are already emerging.
Earlier in his submission , the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said 2024 budget is already being implemented and that there is ongoing negotiation with Labour Leaders on Minimum wage to ensure that there is no further disruptions to economy
Oil and gas
Confederation of Oil & Gas Communities Defends NUPRC Boss, Debunks Misconduct Allegations
The Confederation of Oil & Gas Communities of Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard allegations against the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
It described the claims as baseless and malicious.
The petition, submitted by Ufuoma Odiete, accused Komolafe of violating the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by establishing and chairing an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre Body of Neutrals, which Odiete alleged is not recognized by the PIA.
It also alleged nepotism, claiming that 15 out of the 28 members of the committee are from the South West.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Confederation’s National Coordinator, High Chief George Bucknor, dismissed the petition as unfounded and intended to disrupt the smooth implementation of the PIA.
“The petition is malicious, vexatious, speculative, and libelous blackmail without substance,” Bucknor said. He explained that the establishment of the ADR Centre aligns with Chapter 3, Section 234 of the PIA, which empowers the Commission to create mechanisms for resolving disputes between settlors and host communities.
Bucknor clarified that the NUPRC’s role in host community development trust funds is regulatory and facilitative, not managerial. He cited Section 240(2) of the PIA, which mandates operators to contribute 3% of their actual annual operating expenditure to these funds.
He also criticized the petition as an attempt to destabilize the oil and gas industry and the Niger Delta region. “We strongly caution the petitioner against spreading false information,” he said, adding that host communities had passed a vote of confidence in Komolafe and his leadership.
Bucknor called on security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate the motives behind the petition and ensure the stability of the sector.
Department of Security Services to use the earnest powers of their good offices to investigate: Ufoma Odiete subversive interest.
“The intentions of Ufuoma Odiete in his widely circulated malicious vexatious and libelous blackmail against NUPRC and the Commission Chief Executive is capable of truncating: the smooth beneficial running of the PIA and causing unrest in the Oil industry and the Niger Delta Region.”
The Confederation reaffirmed its support for Engr. Komolafe, emphasizing that his initiatives are pivotal to the successful implementation of the PIA and the advancement of the oil and gas sector.
Oil and gas
Nigeria’s Oil Earnings Projected to Hit N6.9 Trillion Monthly with Production Increase
The Federal Government may see a significant rise in revenue, up to N6.99 trillion monthly, following an increase in oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
In collaboration with industry stakeholders, the NNPC has intensified efforts to boost crude oil output to meet the government’s production targets.
This increase is coming as the average price of Brent crude remained stable at around $81 per barrel, creating favorable conditions for substantial earnings. Calculations based on current production levels and exchange rates show that producing 1.8 million bpd at $81 per barrel could yield approximately $4.37 billion in monthly revenue, which translates to N6.99 trillion at an exchange rate of N1,600 per dollar.
NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, announced the milestone during a recent Oil Production War Room meeting at NNPC headquarters in Abuja, attended by top officials, including Petroleum Resources Minister Heineken Lokpobiri. Kyari emphasized that the increased production aligns with the Federal Government’s 2024 budget projections and long-term economic goals.
Chief Production War Room Officer Lawal Musa highlighted that the collaboration between the NNPC, security agencies, and local communities had been crucial to achieving the 1.8 million bpd level. The goal is now set to reach 2 million bpd by the end of the year, a target the NNPC is optimistic about achieving given the current momentum and security improvements in oil-producing regions.
Minister Lokpobiri commended the NNPC for achieving this production feat, describing it as a “remarkable milestone.” He expressed confidence that NNPC Ltd could not only meet but exceed the two million bpd target, further enhancing Nigeria’s revenue prospects.
The Chairman of the NNPC Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, reinforced the board’s commitment to furthering this progress, urging the management and staff to pursue even greater achievements in the oil and gas sector. Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, spokesperson for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, one of the private security agencies involved, confirmed the peaceful and secure environment in the Niger Delta as key to the production surge, assuring that further measures are in place to sustain and even increase output.
The drive to reach two million bpd underscores NNPC’s dedication to stabilizing and expanding oil production, with significant implications for Nigeria’s fiscal health and overall economic stability.
Oil and gas
Governor Ododo Seeks Federal Collaboration to Boost Oil Exploration in Kogi State
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has called for enhanced cooperation between the state and the federal government to accelerate investment in oil exploration within Kogi State.
Governor Ododo made this appeal during a visit to Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), in Abuja on Thursday.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted him to have reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a favorable environment for investors, emphasizing the state’s readiness to work closely with the federal government.
He underscored the importance of fast-tracking oil exploration in Kogi in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to expand exploration in Nigeria’s frontier basins.
Responding to the governor’s call, Senator Lokpobiri reaffirmed Kogi’s status as an oil-producing state and pledged the federal government’s commitment to attract investment to tap into the state’s vast oil resources. He highlighted the mandate of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which tasks the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with exploring frontier basins.
He assured that the government is ready to deploy funds for further exploration in Kogi.
Senator Lokpobiri also commended Governor Ododo for his leadership and strides in governance, noting that these efforts will be key in attracting and sustaining investment in the state.
Kogi State became the first oil-producing state in Northern Nigeria in 2022 following the federal government’s confirmation of oil discoveries in commercial quantities.
-
Crime1 year ago
Police nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News11 months ago
FCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year ago
Tinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year ago
INEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year ago
Echocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year ago
IPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro9 months ago
‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News11 months ago
Kingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu