NNPC, partners target 285% boost in domestic gas

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its partners in a new scheme are targeting a 285 per cent boost in domestic gas supply from 1.3 billion standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) to 5bn scf/d by 2020.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, said this Tuesday at the 7 Critical Gas Development Projects (7CGDP) stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

The stakeholders, made up of NNPC and seven oil and gas firms, listed the seven projects earmarked for fast-track execution to meet the target to include: Assa North-Ohaji South Field Development (ANOH); Oil Mining Lease 24 and OML 18 Joint Development and Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture/ Nigeria Agip Oil Company Joint Venture Unitized Gas Fields.

Others are: NPDC’s OML 26, 30, 42 and Chevron Nigeria Limited’s OML 49 Makaraba Cluster Development; SPDC JV Gas Supply to Brass Fertilizer Company; OML 13 Cluster Development and Cluster Development of Okpokunou/Tuomo West (OML 35/62).

Dr. Baru who outlined the strategic focus of the mandate, said it included growing capacity to supply enough gas to generate 15 Gigawatts (gw) of electricity by 2020.

A statement issued by the NNPC spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu, said the GMD noted that appropriate funding for the seven critical gas projects should be a priority and a key success factor, adding that alternative funding through third party financing option would be adopted to facilitate execution of the vital projects.

The Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor, lauded the GMD for his focus to ensure optimal production and delivery of gas to power industry and for export.

Endorsing the partnership, the Director of Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr Mordecai Ladan, assured the stakeholders that the DPR would provide all the needed support to ensure the timely delivery of the projects.