Nigeria must be determined to secure gains from gas – says NLNG boss

…As energy transition opportunity beckons

Ben Eguzozie

Nigeria must be determined to secure the gains it had recorded so far in gas liquefaction business.

In the same token, the country, considered as a gas-rich nation, with proven gas deposits in excess of 123 billion cubic feet (bcf), must be deliberate in its desire to take opportunities offered by the energy transition (ET), the recognition of gas as a transition fuel and the quest for clean energy to increase its gas investment and harvest the gains from gas, Philip Mshelbila, the managing director and chief executive officer of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), said.

Mshelbila, while welcoming the minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, to the NLNG  plant on Bonny Island, Rivers State, said there was need for Nigeria to overcome the challenges within it’s energy sector. He warned that failure to address the root causes of these issues would perpetuate the country’s struggle with energy poverty, resulting in a significant loss of revenue from the monetisation of valuable resources.

Minister of state petroleum resources (gas) was at the nation’s gas liquefaction company to apprise himself of the outfit’s operations. He was received by by the NLNG MD, Mshelbila; Nnamdi Anowi, general manager, production; Andy Odeh, general manager, external relations and sustainable development and other management staff.

Mshelbila stressed further that a pivotal starting point for remedying the energy industry’s challenges lies in a concentrated effort on the gas sector.

“As we embark on the journey to complete Train 7, we are on the precipice of achieving a remarkable milestone – a capacity of 30 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). This accomplishment will not only position us as one of the largest single-site operations globally but potentially among the top three worldwide in terms of such capacity at a single site. It is an achievement that elevates Nigeria’s standing, placing us among the top six nations in this crucial industry,” he said.

He noted that the world was evolving at an unprecedented pace, and recent events, such as the Russian/Ukraine conflict, have ushered in a wave of new developments in the LNG sector.

“This surge in activity underscores the robust demand for liquefied natural gas, a demand recognized by nations worldwide as integral to the global energy transition. Considering these dynamic changes, our position in the rankings is likely to shift rapidly, as other countries make substantial investments in LNG production. This is why we believe it is important for us to conclude Train 7 and begin to look beyond that for further expansion,” the NLNG boss said.

According to him, the biggest challenge the gas liquefaction company has, is one’s that poses a threat not only to its existing operations but also to it’s expansion plans, the feed gas supply.

“Trains 1 to 6 currently operate at roughly half their potential capacity, a situation that has persisted for some time. The main issue behind the challenge is crude oil theft which affects associated gas supply. The plant is half-full, not because we don’t have the capacity but because the feed gas is not there. We have aspiration for Train 8 but we cannot progress that work because we have no line of sight as to where that gas will come from. We believe that the gas can only come from deep water gas but the terms for that must be addressed. At present, the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) that govern deep-water exploration do not offer commercially viable terms for producers,” Mshelbila stressed.

He told the junior petroleum resources minister of their “commitment to harnessing the immense potential of natural gas will not only restore Nigeria’s reputation as a major energy powerhouse but also propel us towards a cleaner, greener future”.

He said, with innovation, collaboration by a wide array of stakeholders, including the government, and unwavering determination, the country can shape the energy landscape of tomorrow, driving economic prosperity, creating jobs, and mitigating environmental challenges through gas.

Ekpo, in a fleeting response, said the federal government will continue to encourage engagements amongst stakeholders to resolve gas supply and security issues and restore plans to compete with peers in the world.

He said the NLNG stands as a leading light to the Nigeria’s quest to become an energy-efficient country where clean energy, including gas, utilised.

He urged that all hands must be on deck to stop the loss of revenue in the sector and missed opportunities, adding that the federal government was engaging with investors to tap into the huge gas reserves in Nigeria.

“The development of gas is something we should pursue vigorously. The present administration will do everything possible to address the issues. I am glad that the stakeholders in the sector, like NLNG, are not laid back. They are constantly seeking ways out of this issue. NLNG needs all the necessary encourage to expand. It is for the good of this country. We must be quick to make these gains in development for the benefit of our future generations,” he stated.

Nigeria loses tens of billions of dollars to industry-level oil theft. Many experts have blamed some top government officials for complicit in the massive oil theft.