Nigeria's NNPC contains fire at storage facility
The Nigerian State Oil Company NNPC said that a fire in a crude oil storage barge on its Cawthorne Channel site, located along the coast of Rivers State, had been put out with no injuries. Olufemi Soneye, NNPC's spokesperson, said in a late-night statement on Thursday that the fire started around 1310 GMT Wednesday and spread quickly to other barges. Soneye stated that the incident did not affect operations at the flowstation.
Shell should be held responsible for oil spills in Nigeria, says community leader before UK trial
Shell must take responsibility for the environmental damage caused in Nigeria by oil spills. A community leader made this statement on Thursday, as a crucial hearing in suits brought against Shell began at London's High Court. Godwin Bebe OKpabi, the leader of the Ogale Community in the Niger Delta said that he appealed to Shell to rectify the damage which, he claimed, had "destroyed [our] way of life". Shell and its Nigerian…
Nigeria's NNPC and partners to build 5 mini-LNG for local gas usage
A company spokesperson announced late Thursday that the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company has started construction on five mini-liquefied gas plants (LNG). This is part of government initiatives to boost economic growth and gas consumption. Nigeria, Africa's leading energy producer, has the continent's largest reserves of gas, with more than 200 trillion cubic foot. It aims to develop this commodity in order to boost supply to industries, power stations, and exports and to stop routine flaring by the year 2030.
European gasoline glut affects global margins
As a result, gasoline stocks in Europe reached a record-high as exports fell due to increased refinery runs in Nigeria and the United States. This led to the profit margins for European and U.S. refineries to fall to a 15 month low in January. Gasoline profit margins usually fall in the winter due to lower seasonal demand. However, the magnitude of the drop is a major blow for refiners who are now facing low margins on petrochemicals. Diesel provides some relief to overall margins.
Portugal imports more US and Nigerian LNG in order to stop Russian supplies
The Portuguese government plans to buy more liquefied gas (LNG), mainly from the United States, and Nigeria to replace its already diminishing Russian supplies. This was announced by Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho on Tuesday. Data from the electricity and gas grid operator REN show that Portugal will import 49,141 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2024. Of this, 96% is LNG. About 40% of these LNG deliveries came from the United States, and about 4.4% from Russia. In 2021, Russia will account for 15% of Portugal’s LNG.
Nigerian oil reserves increase, production increases 26%, as theft declines
The industry regulator announced on Thursday that Nigeria's oil reserves will increase in 2024. Meanwhile, crude oil production will surge 26% from April 2023 to late 2024 due to a decline in theft. Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, depends on this commodity for more than 90 percent of its foreign currency earnings and around two thirds of its revenues. Oil theft on a large scale has reduced government revenues and slowed down production in recent years.
Nigeria and China strengthen ties through pledges on finance, security, and economic growth
Nigeria and China are planning to intensify their cooperation in areas like clean energy, finance and defence. China has pledged support for Nigeria to issue Panda bonds to fund its infrastructure. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry Yusuf Tuggar, and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi both outlined their efforts to address the regional security challenges. Wang visited Nigeria as part a larger four-nation Africa tour, a journey that is seen as an annual effort to advance Beijing's influence on the continent.
Nigerian regulator: Applicants for oil licenses must demonstrate low carbon emissions
Nigerian applicants for oil licenses and permits will be required to provide evidence of low-carbon emissions and a program of renewable energy starting on Wednesday, before they are approved. This was announced by the head of Nigeria's upstream regulatory agency. Gbenga Kmolafe said that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission's policy is to meet the country's target of zero net carbon emissions by 2060. The template is called the Upstream Petroleum Decarbonisation Template.
Nigeria approves Shell’s $2.4 billion asset sales to Renaissance
Shell received approval from Nigeria’s oil minister to sell $2.4 billion worth of onshore and shallow water assets to Renaissance Group. Renaissance Group said this in a Wednesday statement. Shell has been operating in Nigerian oil and gas for nearly a hundred years. The Shell approval is part of an overall retreat of western energy companies, such as Exxon Mobil and Eni of Italy, and Equinor of Norway. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission…
AVG US Gasoline Price Lowest in 3 Years
On Monday, the average U.S. gas prices dropped below $3 per gallon for the very first time in more than three years. This is a welcome relief for Americans who have been struggling with high inflation rates in recent years.Since the summer driving peak, fuel prices have steadily declined, boosting consumer spending, even though progress on inflation slowed in October and prices of other goods rose.GasBuddy.com, a market-tracker, reports that the national average price of regular gasoline dropped to $2.97 per gallons on Monday.
Equinor sells assets worth up to $2 billion in Nigeria and Azerbaijan
Equinor announced on Monday that it had completed the sale of its assets located in Nigeria and Azerbaijan, for up to a $2 billion total. This marked the end of the Norwegian oil company's presence in the two countries, which lasted more than 30 years. The group stated that the divestments announced in 2023, and completed recently, would boost cash flow for the fourth quarter. They were also in line with Equinor’s strategy of optimising its international portfolio.
LNG traders divert cargoes to Asia from Europe as demand in the east increases
Analysts and shipping data indicate that three LNG cargoes bound for Europe were diverted to Asia in order to meet the stronger Asian demand, and because gas prices have decreased in Europe. The rapid change of course shows the agility of the trading firms to send LNG supplies either to Europe or Asia. As Asian prices rise, the arbitrage window for sending U.S. and African Liquefied Natural Gas to Asia opens. The price of a million British thermal unit (mmBtu)…
Russia lifts the ban on exporting gasoline to producers
The Russian government announced on Saturday that it had lifted the temporary ban on gasoline exports from producers. However, the restrictions on other exporters such as independent traders or re-sellers will remain in place until January 31, 2025. The original ban on gasoline exports would expire by the end of the year. The ban excludes supplies of former Soviet states to the Moscow led Eurasian Economic Union, as well as other countries such as Mongolia with whom Russia has intergovernmental agreements for fuel supply.
Nigeria seeks long-term buyers of new Utapate oil and aims to double production
Nigeria seeks long-term customers for the new crude oil grade Utapate, and aims to double its output from 40,000 barrels a day by 2025. The launch is part Nigeria's effort to boost its oil output, which has been hindered for years by unrest and theft of crude, despite being a member of the ongoing OPEC+ Production Cut Pact. NNPC announced last week that Nigeria produces around 1.8 millions bpd, and aims to reach 2 million bpd before the end of the year…
UN: Companies and countries are lagging behind in tackling methane emissions
Since the U.N. began monitoring oil and gas infrastructure for leaks of methane last year, 1,200 alerts have been sent to government and company officials. Only 12 out of the 2,000 alerts for large plumes, or 1%, were followed up with "substantive" action to stop the leaks. This was according to the report released by the U.N. International Methane Emissions Observatory. Roland Kupers, the lead architect of the programme, said…
Ifx: Russian Energy Minister says lifting the gasoline export ban is possible
Interfax reported that Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev stated on Wednesday the ministry believes it is possible to lift restrictions regarding gasoline exports due to fuel prices being stable. According to RIA, the Ministry sent its proposals regarding gasoline export restrictions to the Government. The minister said, "We will lift export restrictions now because the prices are stable and the situation on market is stable. In August, Russia extended the gasoline export restriction until the end the year.
Nigeria signs $1.2 Billion deal to upgrade gas plant for aluminum smelter
The Nigerian Petroleum Ministry announced that the country has signed a contract worth $1.2 billion with CNCEC, a state-owned Chinese engineering firm. This project is crucial to the production of aluminium in Nigeria. The agreement between CNCEC, the main investor in Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ASCN), and BFI Group is the first step in reviving this dormant facility that has lain idle for years due to financial and legal issues.
Lagos, Nigeria seeks investors to build a 4,000-MW gas-fired electricity plant
Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, invited bids on Thursday for the construction of gas-fired power stations of up to 4,050 megawatts (MW) to fill a shortfall in the national grid. The city is hoping to put an end to years of blackouts which have affected businesses and homes. According to the World Bank, four out of ten Nigerians, Africa's largest nation, lack access to electricity. This is often cited by investors as a major obstacle to investing in Nigeria.
Nigeria's Belemaoil resumes oil lease 55 operations after a three-year hiatus
The Nigerian independent producer Belemaoil Producing announced on Monday that it has resumed its operations at Oil Mining Lease 55, after a three year shutdown due to theft-related damage. Belemaoil purchased OML 55 from Chevron Corporation in February 2015, which is located in an area of swampy to shallow waters, about 40km west of Bonny's oil export terminal. Belemaoil's spokesperson stated that the OML 55 operations were stopped in 2021 because of rampant thefts from the delivery line leading to Bonny.
Nigeria approves Exxon Seplat after two years
Nigeria has approved the sale to Seplat Energy of Exxon Mobil Corp.'s onshore assets, said the chief executive of the country's Upstream regulator on Monday. This comes more than two years since the original $1.28 billion agreement.Since it was announced in February 20, 2022, the sale has been scrutinized as it awaits regulatory approval.Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, said that the ministerial approval would be granted within a few days following the clearance by the regulator.Gbenga Komolafe…
