Chris Infotainment

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 ...

A Nation on the Brink: The Dangote-PENGASSAN Dispute and Its Implications Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector found itself in a state of crisis at the end of September 2025, as a bitter conflict between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery escalated into a nationwide strike. This dispute raised serious concerns about potential fuel shortages and highlighted the deep-seated issues within the country’s energy infrastructure. A temporary truce was eventually brokered by the government, halting the industrial action that threatened to disrupt the nation’s fuel supply. However, this ceasefire is fragile, with unresolved grievances and ongoing tensions threatening to reignite the conflict. Suspension of Strike and Conditional Peace PENGASSAN announced the suspension of its strike against Dangote Petroleum Refinery “in the interest of Nigerians and the economy.” However, the union retained the right to resume ac...

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,"...

Strengthening Collaboration for Innovation in Nigeria’s Energy Sector The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has taken a significant step towards fostering technological advancement in the country’s oil and gas industry. Through its subsidiary, Research, Technology, and Innovation (RTI), NNPC Ltd has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). This partnership aims to accelerate the integration of technology-driven solutions within the energy sector. The agreement was formalized at PTDF’s headquarters in Abuja, marking a milestone in collaborative efforts between two key players in Nigeria’s energy landscape. The MoU is designed to enhance cooperation in areas such as research, innovation, skills development, and the commercialization of solutions that address pressing industry challenges. At the signing ceremony, Sophia Mbakwe, Executive Vice President of Business Services at NNPC Ltd, emphasized the im...

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...