Decade of gas policy is propelling Nigeria as regional hub, says NGA

By : Sulaimon Salau

Date: 17 September 2023 6:11am WAT

Bonny, NIGERIA: (FILES) This file picture dated 18 May 2005 shows the oil major Shell's oil and gas terminal on Bonny Island in southern Nigeria's Niger Delta. Authorities in Nigeria are sparing no effort to free 16 subcontractors of Royal Dutch Shell still missing following an attack by heavily-armed assailants, a government spokesman said 03 October 2006. Twenty-five people were working on a site belonging to Shell in Nigeria's southern Rivers State went missing after they were attacked by about 70 armed men on Monday, Shell officials in Nigeria said. Five foreigners working for US oil company Exxon Mobil have also been abducted and two Nigerians killed in an attack by armed militants in the volatile Niger Delta region, an industry source added 04 October 2006. AFP PHOTO/ PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

The Decade of Gas Policy is propelling Nigeria to become a regional and global gas hub, offering economic opportunities and sustainable energy solutions, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has said.

The gas association proudly marked its presence at the prestigious Gastech 2023 conference in Singapore between September 4 and 7, 2023, where with corporate members support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), it advanced the Nigerian Decade of Gas agenda on a global stage.

Gastech is the world’s largest gathering of energy professionals. President of the NGA, Akachukwu Nwokedi, emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and the pivotal role of natural gas in the nation’s energy transition.

Nwokedi stated: “Nigeria is at the forefront of the global energy landscape, and our participation at Gastech 2023 underscores commitment to drive positive change in the industry. Natural gas is an indispensable catalyst for sustainable development and energy security, and we take great pride in spotlighting Nigeria’s vast potential in this sector.”

In a groundbreaking moment at Gastech 2023, Dateline Energy Services (DESL) became the first Nigerian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to design a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Coastal Carrier Barge. DESL and CITRA SHIPYARD, a globally recognised shipbuilding company in Batam, Indonesia, leveraged the event to sign kick-off agreements.

DESL and CITRA have jointly adapted process engineering and designs crafted by DESL in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy’s Naval Dockyard Limited. The partnership aims to construct two LNG “Gas” Coastal Transportation Carrier Barges, thereby addressing gas evacuation and distribution challenges Nigerian operators and other oil and gas-producing countries face.

This indigenous Nigerian concept has already attracted global investors, pre-ordering the specialised marine craft, which once operational will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

NGA also made significant strides featuring in the all-important Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) discourse at Gastech 2023. The association’s DEI Study Group Chairperson, Engr Chichi Emenike and Secretary, Ekomobong Alfred, represented the study group at the conference.

The study group leaders met with Andrea Panczel, the global Chairperson of Women in Energy Association, fostering collaboration between the DEI study group and the Women in Energy Network (WiEN).

Consequently, stakeholders agreed to include Africa’s women representatives as panelists in subsequent Gastech conferences, starting in 2024 in Houston Texas. Similarly, Tracy Lothan, VP of Low Carbon Solutions, ExxonMobil, expressed interest in collaborating with the DEI study group leaders.