NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Stakeholders advocate ECOWAS, Africa approach to emission regulations

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By Yunus Yusuf

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have urged the Federal Government to prioritise regional and continental strategies rather than focusing solely on national measures.

They made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday.

Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) emphasised the importance of adopting an integrated approach to carbon emissions reduction.

“We must not look at net-zero goals as a stand-alone national issue.

“Instead, Nigeria should consider these regulations from the ECOWAS and African perspectives, recognising our interdependence,” he said.

Halilu also noted that regulations on emissions must operate at regional or continental levels, rather than being confined to individual countries.

“Our collective efforts are crucial, and each country should tailor its net-zero pathway to its unique circumstances, while aligning with broader regional and continental objectives.” he added.

The director highlighted the positive impact of the conference, especially in addressing issues related to decarbonisation, LNG infrastructure, and the role of renewables in reducing carbon footprints.

“The discussions around LNG, renewables, and reducing emissions have been enlightening, particularly in terms of ensuring responsible development and reducing the impact of carbon emissions,” Halilu explained.

He also touched on the importance of financial institutions in promoting responsible environmental and social practices in energy projects.

“Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements are not intended to limit funding but to ensure that projects are developed responsibly, with care for the environment and social inclusion,” he said.

Halilu further stressed the importance of responsible hydrocarbon development, using the Ogoni cleanup incident as a cautionary example.

He encouraged the Nigerian energy sector to invest in ddecarbonisation echnologies and consider the long-term environmental impact of energy production.

“Nigeria must develop solutions that ensure low carbon intensity, especially as new LNG projects expand.

“We must invest in innovative, sustainable technologies and build local capacity to manage and maintain these solutions,” he said

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Olajide Bamidele, Director of Weight and Measures at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, emphasised the growing importance of LNG in Nigeria’s energy future.

Bamidele noted the need to balance LNG’s dominance with the rise of alternative renewable energy sources.

“We must prepare for the future by addressing challenges in LNG development and exploring new energy solutions to ensure long-term sustainability,” he said.

He said that the conference provided a valuable opportunity for Nigerian stakeholders to learn from global best practices, particularly regarding emissions reduction and energy transition strategies.

Both Halilu and Bamidele highlighted the need for Nigeria to adapt successful international policies to its own context, with a focus on creating a more sustainable energy landscape.

“As the country moves toward its 2060 net-zero target, the discussions at the summit underline the need for collaboration, innovation, and responsible development across the energy sector.

“With significant investments in LNG and upstream gas projects expected, the focus on decarbonisation and environmental responsibility remains crucial for Nigeria’s energy future,” they explained.

NAN reports that the five-day World LNG Summit and Awards, organised by DMG Events Ltd., attracted 750 attendees and featured 200 speakers from 500 companies across the energy value chain. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

Edited by Ismail Abdulazeez

Lawmakers reaffirm commitment to strengthening host communities’ laws

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By Yunus Yusuf

Nigerian lawmakers have reiterated their commitment to strengthening policies aimed at benefiting host communities, particularly in the oil and gas sectors.

They made the pledge during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday.

Mr Dumnam Dekor, Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, representing Khana/Gokama Federal Constituency in Rivers said that a comprehensive policy review would better support host communities.

“There is an urgent need to revisit certain policies to ensure that they truly benefit the people, particularly those living in areas where critical infrastructure, such as LNG facilities, are located.

“The experiences shared here at the summit reinforce our resolve to amend laws to better align with global trends,” he said.

He also commended the summit’s organisers for the valuable insights and commended the role of Nigeria LNG (NLNG) in the country’s development.

“NLNG stands out as a leading company in Nigeria, not just for its business success but also for its efforts in reducing gas flaring, which is in line with the global shift away from hydrocarbons,” Dekor added.

Mr Hart Godwin, a lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in Rivers, also said that the increasing global demands for LNG as nations work toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

“The world is rushing to extract LNG for energy, and those of us with abundant reserves must act swiftly.

“If we do not keep up with the global pace, we risk being left behind as more countries join the LNG race,”Godwin stated.

He added that Nigeria LNG was already expanding its capacity with the construction of its seventh train and almost completed would increase capacity by 30 million metric tons per annum.

However, Godwin acknowledged that in spite this progress, Nigeria’s LNG production was still not at full capacity, with current output at only 50 per cent of installed capacity.

He called for increased investment in upstream energy projects, to tap into the country’s vast natural gas reserves, estimated at 203 trillion cubic feet.

“We must focus on creating an environment that attracts investment, particularly in deep-water gas production.

“The regulatory landscape must be conducive to competition, and addressing security challenges will be crucial to reducing production costs.” Godwin said.

Godwin also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his recent executive order on oil and gas reforms, which includes tax incentives such as a 30 per cent gas credit for production.

These incentives, he said, would help make Nigeria’s LNG more competitive on the global market.

“The current security challenges and tax burdens affect our ability to be competitive. But with the right policies and incentives, Nigeria can position itself as a leading LNG exporter,” he said.

NAN also reports that the 2024 World LNG Summit, with the theme “Achieving the Balance Between Energy Security and Decarbonisation”, brought together over 750 attendees, including 200 speakers from 500 companies across the energy value chain.

The summit highlighted the critical role LNG plays in meeting the world’s energy needs while addressing climate change. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

 

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Collaboration key to addressing energy challenges, says NLNG

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By Yunus Yusuf

Mr Nnamdi Anowi, the General Manager of Production, NLNG, on Tuesday called for more collaboration among the government, regulators and private sector players to address the world’s urgent energy challenges.

Anowi gave the advice during the question and answer session of the World Leaders’ Panel session at the 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards in Berlin, Germany.

The five-day summit has the theme, “Achieving the Balance Between Energy Security and Decarbonisation”.

He said that while some regions can afford energy, others struggle with access and affordability.

Anowi stated, “To effectively address the energy trilemma, we need to implement regulations that facilitate affordable and reliable energy solutions.

“It’s essential that we have a long-term view, particularly as we develop newer and more efficient LNG trains.

“Decarbonisation is vital, but it must be done in a sustainable way.

“We must consider our gas reserves and strategise and how to bring them to market affordably,” he added.

According to him, many regions rich in gas reserves are currently facing financial challenges that hinder development.

“We need a collaborative effort to create regulations that support the energy sector and enable us to navigate these challenges effectively,” he said.

He further stressed the necessity of viewing energy solutions through a global lens rather than compartmentalising regions.

“We have only one planet, and we must find ways to provide energy security and affordability to all regions before discussing sustainability,” he said.

Anowi acknowledged the complexities of decarbonising existing plants and stressed the importance of operational efficiency and innovative solutions.

He mentioned NLNG’s commitment to carbon certification and the use of advanced technologies, such as drones, for emissions monitoring and efforts to electrify operations.

“While we explore options like combined cycle power plants and hydrogen, it’s crucial that these projects are not pursued in isolation.

We must integrate them with carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) initiatives,” he explained.

As NLNG moves forward, Anowi believes that a balanced energy mix, incorporating both traditional and renewable sources, is essential for sustainable development.

“By combining the right technologies and fostering collaborative efforts, we can reduce our carbon footprint while ensuring energy access for all,” he noted.

NAN also reports that the 24th World LNG Summit and Awards, organised by DMG Events Ltd., attracted 750 attendees and featured 200 speakers from 500 companies across the energy value chain. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

 

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

NLNG targets fleet overhaul, emissions reduction by 2040

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By Yunus Yusuf

Mr Nnamdi Anowi, the General Manager of Production, NLNG, says the company plans to replace all its vessels with modern ships within the next decade.

Anowi disclosed this during the World Leaders’ Panel session on Tuesday in Berlin, Germany, as part of the 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 summit has its theme as; “Achieving the Balance Between Energy Security and Decarbonisation”.

“We are making significant strides in our shipping operations. Over the next 10 years, we aim to transition from our current steam-powered vessels to modern ships.

“Earlier this year, we took a major step by entering into a long-term chapter of our first modern ship Aktoras, and we are already planning to acquire a second ship next year,” he said.

On the critical issue of net zero (NZE) emissions, Anowi said that NLNG’s aspiration is to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

According to him, this goal is attainable through the implementation of a combination of solutions that include operational efficiency, natural sinks/offset projects, CCS, net zero expansion, digital solutions and shipping efficiency.

“Our pathway to net zero aligns with Nigeria’s target of reaching net zero by 2060, while many major players in the industry are aiming for 2050.

“We are actively expanding our initiatives in this area, including several low-carbon projects,” he explained.

Regarding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Anowi noted that the company had committed 100 per cent of its LPG production (propane and butane) to the Nigerian market.

He pointed out the urgent need for cleaner energy, citing a report that revealed that not less than 100,000 Nigerians died yearly from smoke inhalation caused by cooking with firewood, predominantly affecting women and children.

“This underscores our commitment to sustainability.

“It’s important to recognise that about 80 per cent of Africans lack access to cleaner energy.

“When discussing sustainability, we can not overlook the necessity of providing energy to these communities,” he added.

He further elaborated on NLNG’s strategy, stating, “our objective at Nigeria LNG is to maintain safety, enhance capacity, foster growth, and future-proof our business.

”The recent transformation programme includes a rebranding initiative, evidenced by the unveiling of a new logo and the company’s renewed purpose: “Providing energy for lifes sustainability.”

Anowi noted that NLNG was working diligently to improve its production capacity from 23 million tons to 30 million tons through its Train 7 Project.

“We are actively engaging with stakeholders and the government to ensure our LNG trains are filled by the end of next year,” he said.

On sustainability, Anowi explained that 75 per cent of NLNG’s emissions result from its operations, with the remaining 25 per cent coming from its shipping activities.

He emphasised the importance of measurement, reduction, avoidance and mitigation strategies in their sustainability efforts.

He said that the company was also exploring carbon capture and storage (CCS) opportunities through partnerships with the government and other international oil companies.

“We are in the early stages of CCS implementation, assessing potential reservoirs for this purpose,” he said.

In terms of renewable energy, Anowi said that NLNG was investigating solar power projects at its offices in Abuja and Port Harcourt as part of its broader sustainability initiatives.

“We are committed to abatement efforts and are collaborating with experienced private companies to explore carbon credit opportunities.

“We must balance sustainability with affordability and reliability in energy supply.

“The African region must progress at its own pace, prioritising immediate energy needs before addressing long-term sustainability goals.” he explained.

NAN also reports that the 24th World LNG Summit and Awards, organised by DMG Events, attracted 750 attendees and featured 200 speakers from 500 companies across the energy value chain. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

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