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...

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...

Major LNG Project in Mozambique to Resume After Suspension France's TotalEnergies announced on Saturday that the consortium it leads to develop a $20-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique has decided to lift the suspension imposed in 2021 due to jihadist violence. The company stated that the "force majeure" halt on the Mozambique LNG project would be lifted, but emphasized that approval from the Mozambican government is required before any work can resume. TotalEnergies confirmed the decision in a statement, noting that Mozambican President Daniel Chapo had been informed of the move on Friday. This announcement aligns with a previous report by local outlet Zitmar, which highlighted the potential restart of the project. The Mozambique LNG project is considered the largest private investment in Africa’s energy infrastructure. It is expected to create thousands of jobs and position the country as one of the world’s leading LNG exporters. However, cons...

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...

Stakeholders Urge Expansion of PINL's Surveillance Contract Stakeholders from pipeline and crude oil host communities in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to expand the surveillance contract of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). This request is based on the company’s significant role in boosting the nation’s recent surge in oil and gas production. PINL, which manages security operations along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), has been praised for its efforts in improving relations with host communities and reducing pipeline vandalism. The company oversees the TNP, which runs through Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia states. During a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Port Harcourt in September, PINL was commended for its positive impact on local communities. The call for expansion comes after new data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) revealed that Nigeria’s gas production reached an average of 7.59 billion standard cubic fee...

Shift in Exploration Strategy The Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) has made a significant decision to halt further drilling operations for the "Daewang Whale" structure in the East Sea deep-sea gas field. This move comes after extensive analysis of samples collected during the initial drilling campaign earlier this year, which revealed a gas saturation rate of only 6%, far below the projected 50–70%. The findings suggest that the gas discovered is not economically viable, leading the corporation to conclude that continued exploration is unnecessary. Key Findings from Initial Drilling During the first drilling phase, no recoverable gas was found within the Daewang Whale structure. The actual gas saturation rate measured at 6.3%, which is significantly lower than the initial projections. Moreover, the type of gas identified was "biogenic gas," resulting from the decomposition of organic matter such as fish and plankton, rather than "thermogenic gas,"...

The Case for Process Intensification in Nigeria’s Energy Sector Femi Olorunnaiye, a Senior Process Engineer at Fluor Corporation in Houston, Texas, has emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt process intensification in its petrochemical and gas processing industries. With over a decade of experience in energy, petrochemicals, and manufacturing sectors across the globe, Olorunnaiye believes that this technology is no longer just a futuristic concept but a critical step toward improving efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. “Process intensification is not an option to debate; it is the way forward if we are serious about efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability,” Olorunnaiye stated. He highlighted the importance of achieving more output with less energy, reduced emissions, and improved reliability. “This means less energy, less footprint, less emissions, while delivering more output, more safety, and more reliability.” Olorunnaiye pointed out that tradit...

The Evolution of Nigeria's Oil and Gas Sector Since its enactment in 2010, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act has significantly transformed the country’s oil and gas sector. This legislation established a legal and institutional framework that requires operators, contractors, and service providers to prioritize Nigerian participation at every stage of the industry value chain. By focusing on manpower, materials, and services, the Act has set Nigeria on a path toward economic diversification, capacity building, and national empowerment. Before the NOGICD Act, local content in the Nigerian oil and gas sector was minimal, estimated to be as low as 5%. The sector relied heavily on foreign companies, expatriate workers, and imported equipment. Recognizing the need for change, the Federal Government introduced the NOGICD Act, aiming to increase indigenous participation and promote economic growth, technology transfer, job creation, and sustainable develo...