NLNG boosting local content in Nigeria with Train 7 — NCDMB

Ben Eguzozie

The Nigerian LNG Train 7 project being built at the cost of $7 billion, is seen amplifying Nigeria’s local content participation in the country’s hydrocarbon industry, according to Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the executive secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Ogbe said the “Train 7 project has significantly boosted local capacity through the production of ancillary components and accessories within Nigeria, contributing directly to the project’s successful execution”.

Upon completion, the LNG Train 7 will increase Nigeria’s gas liquefaction terminal production capacity by 35 percent from the current 22 MTPA to 30 MTPA. Nigeria LNG Ltd operates six liquefaction units called NLNG trains producing 22 mtpa.

Recently, BEAMCO, an indigenous company was contracted by NLNG to assemble pumps and valves for the Train 7 project. There was also the commissioning of the Daewoo Galvanising plant at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State.

The NCDMB executive secretary, who took over from his immediate predecessor Simbi Wabote, said it was commendable that the recent Presidential directives on local content implementation, which mandate that contracts in the oil and gas sector be awarded exclusively to local companies with proven in-country capabilities, was instrumental to these achievements.

“The accomplishments we are witnessing at the NLNG Train 7 project are a testament to NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Nigerian content. This project stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we prioritise our local industries and talents,” Ogbe said, while reflecting on the progress made by in-country players in the hydrocarbon industry.

NLNG management says it has achieved 52 million man-hours on the Train 7 project with zero lost time injury (LTI).

NCDMB is assuring that it will further support the gas liquefaction company to achieve more of its desire to raise Nigeria’s share of global LNG participation. Reports say there is increasing focus on LNG in Nigeria, which is already the world’s sixth largest LNG exporter, with a 6 percent market share in 2022, and a current annual production capacity of 22.5 million tonnes. The government has declared 2021-2030 as its “decade of gas,” signalling an intent to focus on the gas resource.

Gas value-chain experts say the LNG Train 7 is significant to Nigeria to rejig its much-harried oil and gas sector, which is facing record unprecedented divestment worth some $21 billion by the international major energy players – Shell, TotalEnegies, Eni, Chevron, ExxonMobil, among others.

But Ogbe, NCDMB boss, after visiting the NLNG’s six-train plant, Train 7 construction site, the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) training centre, Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE) in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, is optimistic that the ugly trend might just soon be reversing.

He is of the view that there is a need for increased collaboration and advocacy for Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.

He was received at the NLNG Train 7 imposing construction site by a battery of the company’s team: Olakunle Osobu, deputy managing director; Nnamdi Anowi, general manager production; Ali Uwais, Train 7 project director; Abdulkadir Ahmed, NSML managing director/CEO; among other senior management officials.

He noted with delight the fact that the Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE) was the first training centre in Africa to receive accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK MCA) to deliver and issue certificates for the STCW 2010 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations courses. The MCOE, a maritime training and research facility, aims to enhance maritime expertise in Nigeria and the West African region. It currently hosts specialised training for marine services providers in the upstream oil and gas sector, with the support of NCDMB.