By Emmanuella Anokam

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) says it has upgraded facilities in petroleum based departments of various universities to meet the training needs of energy and related industries in Nigeria.

The Fund also established two foremost centres of excellence at the Centre for Petroleum and Energy Studies (CPESK), Kaduna and Centre for Skills Development and Training (CDST), Port Harcourt.

Mr Aminu Ahmed, Executive Secretary, PTDF, said this at the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF 2024) organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), on Thursday in Abuja.

The SPE-OLEF with the theme: “Stability in the Energy Sector: Integrated Strategies for Infrastructure, Transportation and Security”, is being hosted by the PTDF.

Represented by Olayinka Agboola, General Manager, Planning and Documentation Department, PTDF, Ahmed said once fully operational, the centres were expected to meet all the training needs of the energy and related industries.

According to Ahmed, the PTDF as the capacity building agency of the Federal Government, is committed to developing a skilled workforce to drive the transformation of the energy sector in Nigeria.

“This is being done primarily through our established Human Capacity Development programmes, through institutional capacity building, as well as research and development activities.

“PTDF’s mandate is being activated through various initiatives such as the Scholarship Programmes, both Overseas and In-Country schemes, which is designed to empower young Nigerians with education in energy sector relevant disciplines.

“It engages in training and capacity building through organising training programmes, workshops, seminars and conferences to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals already working in the oil and gas sector.

“Supporting research and development initiatives in collaboration with universities and research institutions to foster innovation and technological advancements in the oil and gas sector.

“This helps in creating a pool of skilled professionals capable of addressing industry challenges,” he said.

The PTDF helmsman said the Fund was fully dedicated to supporting initiatives that would foster innovation, sustainability and growth in the industry.

According to him, addressing industry challenges requires concerted efforts and comprehensive interventions across various domains with urgent consideration to investment in infrastructure, improve transportation networks and enhance security measures.

“I commend the SPE Nigeria for their unwavering commitment to the advancement of the industry. Your role in nurturing a community of professionals who are dedicated to excellence and innovation in the petroleum sector is invaluable.

“Together, we stand at the forefront of navigating the complexities of the energy landscape, advocating for best practices, and spearheading initiatives that will shape the future of our industry,” he added.

The SPE OLEF which debuted in 1991 is focused on contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry policy development in commemoration of the first commercial oil discovery in Nigeria by Shell D’Arcy at Oloibiri, Bayelsa in 1956. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has underscored the need of bridging the energy access gap to spur economic prosperity of the country.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Malam Mele Kyari, stated this at the Society of Petroleum Engineers Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (SPE OLEF 2024), on Thursday in Abuja.

The annual OLEF forum with the theme: “Stability in the Energy Sector: Integrated Strategies for Infrastructure, Transportation and Security” is being hosted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Kyari, in a presentation on industry operations, said NNPC Ltd. was working on developing the right infrastructure to deliver oil and gas to bridge energy access and drive prosperity for Nigerians.

He said the company’s commitment was not just a statutory requirement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) but a pledge to ensure energy security beyond fuel supply.

“We are dedicated to investing in critical infrastructure to enhance economic prosperity by supplying gas to the domestic market, targeting at least eight billion cubic meters,” Kyari added.

He listed some infrastructure projects being undertaken by the NNPC Ltd. to help bridge the energy access gap in Nigeria to include the Obiafu/Obrikom/Oben (OB3) and Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipelines, designed to enhance the nation’s gas supply network.

This, Kyari said, would work on expanding gas supply to the international market primarily through the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. (NLNG) Train 7 project, while efforts were being made to start Train 8 and various floating LNG initiatives.

The GCEO called for support in leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for economic prosperity, emphasising the need to bridge access gaps in electricity and clean cooking fuel.

He assured stakeholders and investors of the support of President Bola Tinubu, whom he said, “is committed to the gas revolution”.

In his remarks, Mr Salahuddeen Tahir, Chairperson, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council and Head of Asset and Investments Management, NGPIS, underscord the critical role of energy in modern society.

“It’s a trigger for essential services such as transportation, heating, electricity generation, medical services, security, banking services, and communication”.

Tahir said there was the need to develop a diversified and sustainable energy transportation system as a measure for mitigating climate change and enhancing energy security.

The SPE OLEF which debuted in 1991 is focused on contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry policy development in commemoration of the first commercial oil discovery in Nigeria by Shell D’Arcy at Oloibiri, Bayelsa in 1956. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government says addressing the underlying socio-economic causes of insecurity, such as poverty and unemployment, is crucial to achieving lasting stability in the energy sector.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), said this at the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum 2024 (OLEF), organised on Thursday in Abuja by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

“This can be addressed through implementation of the Host Community Trust Fund, Gas Infrastructure Fund and other intervention mechanism,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SPE-OLEF, hosted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has its theme as “Stability in the Energy Sector: Integrated Strategies for Infrastructure, Transportation and Security”.

NAN also reports that OLEF which commenced in 1991 is focused on contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry policy development, in commemoration of the first commercial oil discovery in Nigeria by Shell D’Arcy at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State in 1956.

Lokpobiri, represented by Mr Kamoru Busari, Director Upstream of the ministry, said over the years, insecurity had posed as one of the most pressing challenges to stability in the Nigerian energy sector.

He said there had been cases of pipeline vandalism, oil theft and sabotage that had caused significant threat to the sustenance of the country’s energy infrastructure and smooth operations.

The minister said that concerted efforts were being made to address the security threats in the sector, with the awarding of surveillance contract to Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited.

This, he said had culminated in substantial increase in oil production.

He said the government would continue to explore better ways resolving some of the bottlenecks in the sector especially through the use of modern technological.

“Government is open to harness all possible advancement pathways by implementing policies and promoting partnerships that will transform the current energy system to a low-carbon energy system, with hydro, solar and natural gas playing important roles.

“Nigeria is working towards achieving its Energy Transition Plan goals, which involves significant emission reductions across key areas like power, cooking, oil and gas, transport and industry with an ultimate target for carbon neutrality by 2060,’’ he said

According to the minister, areas of infrastructure, transportation and security are fundamental to the efficient functioning of the energy sector and its inter-dependent to ensure stability and sustainability.

He said following the strong commitment made by President Bola Tinubu at the recent COP 28, there was an ongoing robust approach by the government to revamp the energy sector.

This, he said was not only being implemented domestically but was being extended to the international communities through friendly competitions of energy supply to the international market.

In the theme lecture presentation, Mr Abdulrahman Mijinyawa, General Manager, Development and Subsurface Nigeria, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), said Nigeria’s energy infrastructure was largely inadequate, mostly out dated and often damaged.

Mijinyawa, while saying that products were not getting to the desired destination, explained that transportation was a critical aspects of the energy sector for enabling movement of products.

He said for an improved transport system, transport cost should be streamlined, logistic overhead reduced, while public private partnership should be encouraged to fund intermodal connectivity.

According to him, good policies, fiscal incentives, integration and collaboration would go a long way to unlock the industry challenges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has clarified that the rumours suggesting a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) at its retail outlets nationwide are false.

Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., said in a statement on Wednesday that the reports were false.

There were reports in some sections of the media on Monday that the ex-depot price for PMS had reduced from N640 to N630 for the independent oil marketers, while NNPC Ltd. maintained its N570 price.

The N630 new ex-depot price for independent marketers is just one per cent reduction following decision by the NNPC Ltd. to give product directly to the marketers, while maintaining its N570 ex-depot price.

This was against the former arrangement where the independent marketers get supply from private depots.

The development provoked reactions from Nigerians who assumed that NNPC Ltd. had reduced pump price at their retail outlets from N617 to N570.

Soneye, however, urged Nigerians to disregard the reports in entirety.

He reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Emmanuella Anokam

Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), says women are under represented in the energy sector in spite of constituting a substantial portion of Nigeria’s population and workforce.

Kyari said made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2024 Strategic Women in Energy, Oil and Gas Leadership Summit and Awards, Northern Region.

He said that as at Quarter Four (Q4) 2023, women represented only 18.6 per cent of the sector’s total workforce and 23.1 per cent of its leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by the Women in Energy, Oil and Gas (WEOG), Nigeria in commemoration of the International Women’s Day observed annually on March 8.

The summit with theme: “Invest in Women for Accelerated Progress” was hosted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

In a keynote address entitled “Closing Energy Gaps in Nigeria by Investing in Women”, Kyari said the gap was largely attributed to the low level of participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields, the major channel for the work force.

“Studies have also shown that at the middle of the technical talent pipeline (which is middle to senior management levels); there is lagging progress for women which is greatly impacted by the degree of flexibility of work.

“At NNPC, we have evaluated the challenges faced by women across different levels of our workforce and taken additional steps to address them.

“We focused on several key strategic initiatives. From coaching and mentoring to ensure our managers are effective leaders, to unlocking the full potential of flexible work.

“By empowering women and providing them with equal opportunities, we can unlock immense potential and drive meaningful change across the energy landscape.

“We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, where women have equal access to opportunities for growth, advancement and leadership,” Kyari said.

According to him, the NNPC Ltd. is actively working to build a more diverse and resilient workforce through initiatives such as mentorship programmes and leadership training.

He said from engineering and technology to leadership and management, women had proven time and again their ability to excel in every aspect of the energy sector.

While recognising the critical role women played in driving sustainable development and mitigating the impacts of climate change, Kyari said empowering women as decision-makers, sustainable practices, acceleration of transition to renewable energy could be achieved.

He urged all stakeholders within Nigeria and on the global stage to reaffirm commitment to gender equality and inclusive development, and join hands in supporting initiatives that empower women and close energy gaps.

Also, Mr Ahmed Aminu, Executive Secretary, PTDF, commended the women in the energy sector for consistently breaking barriers and making significant contributions.

This, Galadima said was leading to positive change in various aspects of the oil and gas industry.

Earlier, Dr Oladunni Owo, National President, WEOG, called for commitment to inspire inclusion in the energy industry value chain.

According to her, the International Women’s Day amalgamated into International Women’s month and concluded as a period when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

Dame Hassan Audu, Chairperson, Summit Organising Committee, said that a recent UN survey showed that closing gender gap in employment could boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita by 20 per cent.

The study, she said revealed that closing gaps in care and expanding services with decent jobs could spark almost 300 million jobs by 2035, and that an estimated 360 billion dollars was needed annually to achieve gender equality.

“Where individuals, organisations and governments deliberately invest to propagate girls in STEM, we create the foundational opportunity for improved participation in a gender balanced workforce in the sector,” she said.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards to some dignitaries and conferment of Grand Ambassador Awards to the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and his counterpart, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo (Gas).

Other recipients are Malam Mele Kyari, GCEO, NNPC Ltd.; Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has given its enforcement committee 48 hours to produce a template for a seamless implementation of Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO) in Nigeria.

The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at a meeting to review the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the implementation of the DCSO is provided under Section 109 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

NAN also reports that the committee on DCSO was constituted by the commission to resolve issues arising from crude supply regulation and enforcement.

Komolafe, who emphasised that priority must be given while supplying crude to local refineries, said that the overall objective of the government was to ensure that Nigeria became a net exporter of refined petroleum products.

“Producers should satisfy their domestic crude oil supply to the domestic refineries, so that as a nation, we can seize the opportunity to reverse the ugly trend.

”We can do this by ensuring development of the midstream and end being a net exporter of petroleum products.

“This is necessary now that we are trying to exit the subsidy regime; the only way to sustain that is to become robust in our domestic refining capacity,’’ he said.

He explained that the commission expected that the complaints received from the oil producers and Dangote Refinery would be taken seriously and resolved in the next 48 hours.

Komolafe, while listing the issues raised, said that the inability to factor in the provisions of the law while executing contractual agreements was challenging.

This, he said had resulted in some companies being reluctant to allocate a portion of their production to domestic refineries.

He listed others as change in vessel nomination under 24 hours to lay-can; inability to provide the required financial instrument/backing prior to loading and the delay in expected time of arrival of vessels.

He said this had resulted in production cut which was inimical to the national budgetary targets.

Others, according to him are frequent change in lay-cans for crude oil allocated to domestic refineries and delays at loading terminals after the arrival of the loading vessel.

Also speaking, the Chairman, OPAC Refinery, Mr Momoh Oyarekhua, said that the local refiners have received almost no crude oil from producers in the past three years.

Oyarekhua disclosed that in spite of having a refining capacity of 10,000 barrels per day, the OPAC Refinery received just 1,500bpd in 2022.

He urged the Federal Government to resolve the issue of currency of payments for crude oil supplied to local refineries, whether it would be in Naira or dollars as demanded by the producers.

Some of the oil producers who participated in the meeting also endorsed the policy, adding that meeting demands for local refineries required additional investment, to boost production.

They stated that with companies trying to fulfil existing supply contracts, it was impossible for them to switch oil supply to local refineries.

Representatives of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) urged the government to address the challenges facing the industry.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had expressed concerns over the capacity of the industry to meet its domestic crude obligations to local refineries, insisting that supply to local refineries remained a priority.

Oil production in 2024 had so far failed to meet budgetary targets of 1.78 million per day, and with several refineries scheduled to come on-stream, concerns about the feedstock supply to refineries have increased since 2024. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources as well as its agencies and parastatals are expected to brainstorm on emerging developments in the oil and gas industry, at a sectoral retreat scheduled to hold in Abuja.

Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said in a statement on Sunday that the retreat would focus on the Ministerial Deliverables (2023-2027) for the oil and gas sector.

The retreat with the theme: “Building Synergy for Enhanced Development in the Oil and Gas Sector” would hold between March 26 and March 28.

Ogunmakinwa stated that the retreat would also fashion the way forward for the industry as earmarked by President Bola Tinubu.

“In the course of the retreat, heads of agencies under the ministry will be required to make presentations on the mandate, vision and mission of their respective organisations,” she stated.

According to Ogunmakinwa, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo will be attending the retreat.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella, Directors in the Ministry, as well as the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Directors from the Agencies under the supervision of the Ministry would also be in attendance.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had the first year Ministerial Retreat with Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, 2023.

The retreat by the president was to chart a path for progress and prosperity of the nation, where he charged the participants to deliver on their mandates for the sake of Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne