Oil
Oil blocs sale: Liberia president lobbies legislature for ratification
LAGOS-Liberia has already sold off several offshore oil blocs to big international oil companies including ExxonMobil, Chevron, and others generating millions in signature bonuses and other benefits. But with oil prices now at a record low resulting to low interest in expansion by these oil companies, Liberia is looking to contract two more of its offshore oil blocs to an American company-Kosmos Energy.
The National Oil Company of Liberia, which manages the country’s oil sector, is currently facing financial crisis which is forcing the company to redundant bulk of its employees as part of a Sustainable Action Plan (SAP) intended to rescue the company. The SAP was endorsed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is facing criticisms for appointing individuals who led the oil company to a downturn.
Just two years ago, Liberia’s oil sector and its state-owned oil company, NOCAL, was flying high. Africa Petroleum, the year before, had announced a discovery; Chevron and Anadarko were actively drilling, and EXXON had joined their ranks by signing an unprecedented contract with the Government of Liberia that provided a hefty $50 Million USD in upfront fees. With the coming of EXXON, almost every oil company in the world was grappling to actively participate in Liberian waters.
But now Liberians are still wondering why the company has fallen from grace to grass, now facing a debt crisis unable to pay rent, employees and at the same time continue to maintain local and international students on its numerous scholarship programs. As part of the efforts to rescue the company, the Liberian Senate recently recommended to the plenary of the body to consider a request from NOCAL to ratify agreement for the sale of additional oil blocs to enable the company raise money to pay off its obligations.
NOCAL recently told employees who have been earmarked to be redundant that the company does not have the money to pay severance at the moment is appealing to the employees to remain calm. In the wake of the meltdown at NOCAL, several Liberians are calling for an audit of the oil company, especially when the company, which managed millions few years ago, is now in financial crisis and at the verge of collapse. But with the same management still in charge, President Sirleaf is working to raise money for the company. The President’s son, Robert Sirleaf served the oil company as Chairman of the Board of Directors and is also blamed for the mismanagement of the company, although he resigned before the company felt into a big financial crisis.
Sweetcrudereports-
Oil
FG Introduces New Incentives To Revitalize Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry
In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has unveiled two key fiscal incentives aimed at attracting investment and enhancing energy security.
The announcement was made by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Wednesday.
The first initiative, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, introduces critical exemptions for essential energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment.
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These exemptions are designed to reduce living costs for Nigerians, promote energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
The second initiative, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, offers new tax relief options for deep offshore exploration projects.
This measure aims to position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for international oil and gas investments, boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
These reforms are part of a broader set of policy initiatives, known as Policy Directives 40-42, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directives reflect the administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global oil and gas market.
Business
Tinubu set to approve ExxonMobil-Seplat oil deal, expands CNG bus initiative
By Yemie Adeoye
NIGERIA’s President Bola Tinubu has announced that the protracted ExxonMobil-Seplat upstream oil divestment will be formally approved by the Minister of petroleum within a matter of days, just as he announced his government’s intention to expand the Compress natural Gas, CNG buses initiative.
The President who stated this during his Independence day nationwide broadcast stated that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to free enterprise, free entry and free exit in investments which is the hallmark of his administration investment policy.
“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.”
The President also seized the opportunity to plead with Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reform policies. “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace”. he enthused.
Oil
ExxonMobil To Invest $10bn In Nigeria’s Deep-Water Oil Operations
As part of the administration’s push to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed support for ExxonMobil’s plan to invest $10 billion in the country’s deep-water oil sector.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during a meeting with ExxonMobil executives at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Shettima called the investment “a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investor-friendly policies.”
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This announcement follows news that international maritime company DP World intends to develop a multibillion-dollar port project in Nigeria.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, shared the development in a statement on Wednesday. He quoted Shettima as saying: “ExxonMobil’s potential investment aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for a more investment-friendly Nigeria.
We are committed to fostering an environment that supports such transformative projects.”Shettima also discussed the administration’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business, highlighting the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to simplify bureaucratic processes, enhance transparency, and offer fiscal incentives to attract global investors.
“Our administration has taken bold steps to unify the exchange rate, remove fuel subsidies, and implement tax reforms. These measures, though challenging in the short term, are intended to create a stable and predictable business environment in the long term,” he added.
On the oil and gas sector, Shettima mentioned that the government is revising the fiscal framework for deep-water operations to attract investment while ensuring fair returns for the Nigerian people.