Chris Infotainment

Innovation in Gas Production Boosts Nigeria's Energy Security The NNPC/Heirs Energies Joint Venture (JV) has made a significant breakthrough by successfully implementing a rigless recompletion of a key non-associated gas well in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17. This pioneering operation, the first of its kind in Nigeria, has doubled the JV’s gas output to a peak of 135 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d). This achievement has not only enhanced domestic gas supply but also strengthened the nation’s energy security. Transforming Power Generation This increase in gas production has had a transformative effect on power generation across the eastern network. Transcorp PLC – TransAfam Power, one of Nigeria’s leading power generation plants, has quadrupled its output, rising from an average of 50 megawatts to more than 180 megawatts, with peaks of 200 megawatts. Other power plants supplied by the network, including First Independent Power Limited (FIPL) and Geometric Power, hav...

South Sudan Resumes Crude Oil Exports After Drone Attacks South Sudan has officially resumed its crude oil exports to Port Sudan in eastern Sudan, marking a significant step towards stabilizing the country’s key economic sector. The resumption followed a temporary halt caused by drone attacks on critical infrastructure, which disrupted operations for several days. Deng Lol Wol, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, announced the full resumption of oil transportation and exports in a press release. He emphasized that the country is now exporting oil normally through dedicated pipelines to the Red Sea coast export terminal. This development underscores Juba’s commitment to safeguarding its vital oil assets and ensuring the stability of its oil production, which remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. Impact of Drone Attacks on Oil Operations The disruption began after a drone attack targeted the Juba oil processing facility in Al Jailyin, White Nile State, on Novem...

Rising Surface Rental Arrears in Ghana’s Petroleum Sector Surface rental arrears in the petroleum sector have surged significantly, reaching US$2.82 million by mid-2025. This figure marks a substantial increase compared to the previous year, where arrears stood at US$439,011 during the same period. The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) highlighted this trend in its half-year report, noting that collections had risen by 14.3 percent above the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) full-year estimate of US$755,235. By the end of June 2025, GRA collected US$863,046 in surface rentals, which is one of the five primary revenue streams from the petroleum sector. The increase was largely attributed to payments made by several companies, including Goil Upstream Limited, Springfield E&P, OPCO, and Base Energy. However, out of the 13 licensed operators, only eight made payments during the reporting period. Enforcement Measures and Defaulting Companies The PIAC reported that GR...

Chevron Nigeria Limited: A Key Player in Domestic Gas Supply Chevron Nigeria Limited has solidified its position as the leading supplier of domestic gas in Nigeria, a role it has consistently maintained since 2015. The company's commitment to providing high-quality gas has not only strengthened the nation’s energy security but also contributed significantly to industrial growth and development. Olusoga Oduselu, General Manager for Policy, Government and Public Affairs at Chevron Nigeria Limited, emphasized that the company has supplied more high-quality domestic gas than any other producer in the country. This achievement highlights Chevron’s pivotal role in supporting various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Supporting Energy Security and Industrial Growth Oduselu highlighted that Chevron’s gas supply plays a crucial role in supporting the power sector, industries, and households across Nigeria. By ensuring a steady flow of gas, the company helps maintain energy stability, whi...

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Claims of High-Sulphur Fuel Importation The Impact Investigators Platform (IIP) has released a detailed report addressing recent claims about the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The report refutes these allegations as “technically inaccurate, commercially implausible, and unsupported by verifiable evidence.” This comes after reports suggested that a shipment of high-sulphur petrol was imported into the country by the refinery, causing public concern. According to Raymond Neil, the IIP’s lead investigator, their independent review of shipping data, customs declarations, and refinery process documentation found no indication that the Dangote Refinery imported or sold finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with sulphur levels above Nigeria’s approved limit of 50 parts per million (ppm). Clarifying the Nature of the Shipment Neil explained that the cargo referenced in the reports was not petrol ready for retail sale but an intermediate feedstock—a raw mater...

Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production Targets and Recent Developments The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has set ambitious goals to increase the country's crude oil production. The Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, recently shared insights into the company's progress during an interview with State House correspondents. This conversation took place after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, where Ojulari provided updates on the company's performance, investment initiatives, and efforts to meet the administration's production targets. Ojulari highlighted that NNPCL has made significant strides in oil and gas output. In September, the company recorded approximately 1.68 million barrels per day of crude oil, marking the highest level in five years. Additionally, daily gas production reached over seven billion cubic feet, another recent high. These figures reflect the company's ongoing efforts to boost production ...

OPEC+ Production Increase Sparks Oil Price Gains Oil prices experienced a notable rise of approximately 1.5% on Monday, driven by the OPEC+ decision to implement a more conservative production increase than initially anticipated. This move helped alleviate concerns about an oversupply in the market. However, industry experts caution that weak global demand may limit any potential upward movement in the near future. Brent crude futures saw an increase of 91 cents, reaching $65.44 per barrel by 0315 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 89 cents to $61.77. Tina Teng, an independent market analyst, highlighted that the price surge was largely influenced by OPEC+'s decision to adopt a smaller-than-expected production hike for the following month. "The group aimed to stabilize the recent decline in oil markets," she explained. OPEC, alongside Russia and other allied producers, announced that they will increase their output in November by 137,000 barrels per...

The Conflict Over Labour Practices at Dangote Refinery A recent controversy has erupted around the Dangote Refinery, with allegations of unfair labor practices being made by a Nigerian union known as PENGASSAN. According to these claims, the refinery has dismissed over 800 Nigerian workers and replaced them with approximately 2,000 undocumented Indian nationals. This accusation has sparked public outrage and led to increased attention on the company’s employment policies. In response, the Federation of Employers’ Associations (FERA) has denied these allegations, stating that they are not supported by any evidence. FERA's president, Comrade Ebikeme Adigio, emphasized that an independent investigation was conducted, which found no proof of unlawful worker replacement. Instead, he highlighted that the expatriates working at the refinery are fully documented and have been hired for specialized roles. Adigio further pointed out that the Dangote Refinery has contributed significantly ...

Challenges Facing the Petrochemical Industry The petrochemical industry is currently facing a period of decline that is expected to last until 2027, after which it may begin to recover. Analysts suggest that this downturn is driven by several factors, including overproduction and shifting global demand patterns. Laksamon Duangkit, an analyst at PTT Global Chemical Plc, highlighted concerns among petrochemical manufacturers regarding a significant increase in ethylene and propylene production over the past five years. These two chemicals serve as essential building blocks for polymers and are used in a wide range of applications. Ethylene is a key feedstock for solvents and detergents, while propylene is used to produce various chemicals, including isopropyl alcohol, which has applications in cleaning and medical fields. Global production capacity for ethylene and propylene is currently around 160 million tonnes per year. However, the volume of these chemicals is projected to continu...