Mohammed Shosanya
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Limited),Mallam Mele Kyari,has said that the ongoing global campaign for the adoption of energy transition will be a blessing to Nigeria.
He premised his optimism on the fact that the world has accepted gas as transition fuel, hence the nation’s investment in the massive infrastructure, which would ultimately position Nigeria as a blessed nation with its abundant gas resources which stood at over 200 trillion standard cubic feet in reserve
Mr. Kyari disclosed this in his remarks at the Society of Petroleum Engineers Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (SPEOLEF 2023) held in Abuja, with the Theme: Effective Gas Utilization: A Lever for Enhancing Energy Security and Achieving Net-Zero Emission Goals in Nigeria.
Nigeria,he hinted,has commenced the construction of a gas pipeline to deliver gas to Europe.
According to him,actual work has started with land of site, engineering studies, feasibility and financing plans all completed, stressing that even though the country needs help, it can still run without help with regard to the project.
“We are building infrastructure to make sure we can deliver gas to the international market. We are expanding the NLNG, We need help but we can run without help, so to do this we are building infrastructure across West Africa. We are building the Nigeria, we are engaging and getting the land of site, engineering almost completed, feasibility, excellent, financing, cleared out of sight, and we will build a line that will start from Brass all the way through 11 African countries, deliver gas through to Morocco and to Europe” ,he said
He stated that, already Nigeria has the infrastructure today that can support 6.9 billion standard cubic of gas but it is not enough hence the decision for the massive expansion.
“We have the infrastructure today that can support 6.9 billion standard cubic of gas but that is not enough. We need to begin to have short term sufficiency and therefore we are doing everything possible to make sure we have all necessary infrastructure on ground to make sure that this works, first of all build our own country, building gas means building this country, creating prosperity in this country, and that’s why we have focused on building the massive infrastructure we are building today. For us it has come to the issue of self help and self help can only come from your cash flow, and the cash flow is what we will use to pay to make sure that we the industry here tomorrow to make sure that this country, particularly the subsaharan African countries become self reliant” he said.
He however, declared that Nigeria is nowhere near eliminating hydro carbon though the uses would change, adding ‘the reality is that oil and gas will continue to contribute to over 60 per cent of energy mix even by 2050.
Also speaking during the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, emphasized on infrastructural developments for gas utilization, stressing that Nigeria is more of a gas nation than fossil fuel.
Ambassador Aduda said Nigeria should push forward the development of its gas resources, urging the organizers of (SPEOLEF 2023) to work towards engaging the people on how the use of gas can help them, stressing that the ministry is promoting the development of gas infrastructure.
“One of the most important ways that the Ministry of Petroleum can support the utilization of gas resources is by promoting the development of gas infrastructure. This includes creating enabling environment and partnerships with the private sector to build pipelines, storage facilities, and other infrastructure necessary for the transportation and storage of gas.
“This infrastructure is essential for ensuring that gas is available when and where it is needed, especially in expanding domestic utilisation and it can also help to reduce the cost of gas by increasing competition and efficiency. We are already achieving very amiable results in the domestic intake of LPG and CNG in several small and medium scale industries across the country”.
