Oil
Nigeria set to increase oil production to 2.5mbpd by 2019
By Yemie ADEOYE
ABUJA-IN a move which will restructure the financing template for oil earnings, while increasing investments and government revenues, the Federal Government has reached agreement on a new cash call exit policy with the international oil companies (IOCs), just as it has commenced moves to increase oil production by 2019.
The historic agreement which will bring clarity and stability to the management of the country’s main revenue source was announced by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources while giving an account of key achievements of the Ministry in 2016 yesterday has already received the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
Crude Oil
In a statement signed by Idang Alibi of the Ministry of Petroleum It is part of new measures and strategies aimed at eliminating the burden of Joint Venture Cash Call arrears and securing future funding for the Upstream Petroleum Sector. These strategies which are fully supported by the National Economic Council (NEC) will lead to an increase in national production from the current 2.2mbpd to 2.5mbpd by 2019, as well as reduction in Unit Technical Costs from $27.96/Barrel Oil Equivalent (boe) to $18/boe.
The net payments to the Federation Account is expected to double from about $7Billion to over $14Billion by 2020 and the immediate effect of the new cash call policy will increase net FGN Revenue per annum by about $2billion.
Dr. Kachikwu outlined other innovations and initiatives championed by the ministry over the past year which have revamped the sector, restored investors’ confidence which was at an all-time low and positioned Nigeria’s Oil and Gas value chain for profitability.
It would be recalled that based on historical records, the current Cash Call system has been structurally defective and has failed to address the perennial Joint Venture funding challenges being experienced in the industry where the Federal Government underfunding of the industry through JV Cash Calls stood at $9.125 billion by September 2016. This arrangement will guarantee payments of statutory Oil and Gas Royalties and taxes by NNPC and its JV partners as well as profit from its investments in the Joint Ventures.
At US$42.5 per barrel Oil price which the 2017 budget is predicated on and US$24 per barrel fiscal cost recovery proposed for 2017 in FGN Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) recently submitted to NASS, over US$13 per barrel will accrue to Government as Royalties & Taxes from Joint Venture Oil and Gas Production apart from US$2.8 per barrel estimated as Government share of profit, at 57% equity.
This will restore investors’ confidence and achieve accelerated production growth in the Joint Ventures. New Governance processes will also be introduced.
The negotiation on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria which was led by Dr. Kachikwu resulted in a remarkable agreement by the IOCs who have agreed to be paid their accumulated arrears up to December 2015, payable over the period of about five years. It is important to note that this will not be a cash burden on the Federal Government as payments will be made via incremental production from each JVC.
Aside this key agreement on Joint Venture Cash Call Arrears Payment and Future Funding Mechanism signed today, it would be noted that under the stewardship of Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry has also made considerable accomplishments in the international frontiers through maintaining robust relationships and strengthening linkages within and outside the petroleum producing community
Achievements recorded in 2016 include the following: Successful tenureship and handover of the Presidency of four key international energy organisations namely:The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA); and West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA).
Successful election of Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo of Nigeria as the Secretary – General of the OPEC, Successful mobilization of OPEC members and Non-OPEC Oil Producers to dialogue on the stabilization of the global market in Doha; Algiers which culminated into the achievement of freeze on production at the 171st conference in Vienna, Rise in oil prices to US$55/per barrel for the first time in 16 months after negotiations with non-OPEC producers, Nigeria’s successful negotiation of an exemption from the production freeze; Successful hosting of the 52nd Conference of Ministers of African Petroleum Producers Association in March 2016 (APPA); Provided leadership and support to other APPA members in the development of legislation, institution and systems for local content in Africa.
Finally, The Minister of State pledged that the Ministry will continue to drive innovation and change in its approach to delivering an oil and gas industry that is internationally competitive and is governed by open and transparent processes to ensure security of investment for both domestic and international investors.
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.
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.
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.
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