Transcorp, NNPC sign gas pact
Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have signed a production sharing contract for gas exploration and production of OPL 281.
Under agreement, signed on Friday, Transcorp committed to a work programme to prove and develop an estimated 104 million barrels of oil reserves, an additional 335 million barrels of probable reserves, and approximately 4 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves.
A statement yesterday said the chairman of Transcorp, Tony O. Elumelu said, “Integrating across the energy value chain is the foundation of Transcorp’s strategy. OPL 281’s gas reserves will be deployed directly into Nigeria’s power generation industry, as we seek to transform the economy of our country.”
Transcorp’s existing investment, the Ughelli power plant in Delta State, is undergoing extensive rehabilitation, adding 1,000MW to the existing 1,000 MW capacity, thus doubling the plant’s electricity output to 2000MW over the next three to five years, in collaboration with GE and other partners. Ughelli is Nigeria’s largest gas-fired power generation facility and will be powered directly by the natural gas delivered from OPL 281.
“OPL 281 is rich with nearly 4 tcf of natural gas, and will support the newly-expanded Ughelli power plant for up to 25 years at 2000 MW per day,” Mr. Elumelu continued, adding, “This volume of reserves also guarantees 15 years of feedstock supply for our future fertilizer and petrochemical plants, which will utilize the gas stores to bring value for Nigerians locally, instead of the wastage in flaring and environmental destruction that has historically characterised the industry.”
In addition to directly investing in the Niger Delta, Transcorp continues to contribute to the social development of the communities in which it operates. Recent community engagement includes a medical clinic in Ughelli, part of a wider programme of improving access to quality healthcare.