… trains media to drive gas sector growth

… assures OB3 pipeline completion to boost Nigeria’s domestic gas production by 20%

Oredola Adeola

The Decade of Gas Secretariat has identified over 20 ongoing gas projects capable of unlocking 4.6 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day, thereby closing the 3 bcf per day gas supply deficit.

It emphasised that the significant development is driven by President Bola Tinubu’s fiscal incentives stimulating upstream investment and unlocking the country’s gas reserves.

The Secretariat made this known recently during a pivotal training session for influential energy journalists at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The one-day event, attended by Advisors Reports, titled “Gas Basics and Awareness,” was aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of the gas sector to enhance their ability to report on its technical and commercial intricacies.

The session highlighted the significance of advancing Nigeria’s gas production and consumption, emphasizing the importance of informed public discourse as training energy journalists is crucial for fostering a well-informed public and enriching reportage on gas-related matters.

The training addressed key objectives for 2024, including closing the gas supply gap, achieving appropriate domestic gas pricing, and advocating for investor incentives to build critical gas infrastructure, emphasizing the need for capacity building across the entire gas value chain to support these goals.

The Secretariat during the training expressed optimism that sustained efforts and government commitment would realize the vision of a gas-based economy.

It also stressed the critical role of infrastructure in unlocking the gas sector’s potential, affirming the government’s commitment to increasing gas production and addressing transportation challenges to ensure that gas becomes a domestic commodity in Nigeria. 

The Secretariat said, “Infrastructure is crucial to the success of Nigeria’s gas transition,” adding that drilling non-associated gas wells less susceptible to vandalism, would secure an uninterrupted gas supply to power plants and industrial users.

During the case study session, the Secretariat stated that President Tinubu’s recent inauguration of the ANOH and AHL gas processing plants and the ANOH-OB3 CTMS gas pipeline project are critical gas projects, noting that “once the Obiafu, Obrikom, and Oben (OB3) pipeline is completed as promised, Nigeria’s domestic gas production will increase by 20 percent.”

The Secretariat noted that the 127-kilometer pipeline, with a 48-inch diameter, is set to supply 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily from the fields of OB3 to the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, marking a significant boost in short-term gas production.

It further emphasised that Shell Production and Distribution Company (SPDC) has drilled three gas wells within the ANOH field, adding that SEPLAT has also completed midstream processing infrastructure which was recently inaugurated by President Tinubu.

The Secretariat therefore assured that the full potential of all the gas investment will be realized once the ongoing OB3 pipeline construction is completed and activated to the existing gas pipeline network.

Advisors Reports confirmed that the Decade of Gas Secretariat chaired Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), provides a collaborative platform to transform Nigeria’s gas sector, meet domestic needs, and enhance export capabilities, thus building a robust gas-based economy.

Ed Ubong, the pioneer Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, in his address during the training, noted that the exclusive one-day session for media professionals was dedicated to shifting their focus from the allure of crude oil to the potential of gas.

He stressed that the Decade of Gas Secretariat is making a concerted effort to shape the mindset and content of the media to attract more investors for the gas sector.

According to him, by influencing the media’s perspective and coverage, the country’s commitment to transitioning to a gas-based economy will be significantly advanced.

Taj Ogbe, the Executive Secretary, of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) charged with coordination of the Decade of Gas, on his part, affirmed the commitment of the Secretariat to advancing the Decade of Gas initiative towards reshaping the future of Nigeria’s gas sector.

He stated that the training of energy journalists is crucial to fostering a well-informed public discourse on gas-related matters, shaping their expertise and perspectives to enrich the reportage, discussions, and conversation on the subject matter.