Energy
NCDMB, Total Celebrates Load Out of Ikike AMD 2 Module, project to create 30,000 jobs
Modupe ASUDO
ABUJA-SENIOR officials of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Total Energies Nigeria and the Department of Petroleum Resources on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State celebrated the load out of the AMD 2 Module of the Ikike Development Project, describing it as another remarkable Nigerian Content accomplishment by Total Energies Nigeria Ltd.
The AMD 2 Module is a component of the Brownfield package of the Ikike project, and the contractor is Sudelettra Nigeria Ltd. The project is being developed as a satellite tie-back to the Amenam-Kpono field, also owned and operated by the Total/NNPC JV.
Delivering his address at the load out ceremony held at Sudelettra Fabrication Yard, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote lauded Total Energies for being a worthy partner in Local Content development since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010. He hinted that Total’s local content milestones on the Egina FPSO project remains a reference point for major project promoters to date.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by the General Manager, Projects Certification and Authorization Division, NCDMB, Engr. Paul Zuhumben noted that the Board and Total collaborated at the beginning of the Ikike project to earmark high local content commitments and targets which had now yielded fruits.
He listed some of the pace-setting statistics of the AMD-2 Module to include all engineering design works domiciled in Nigeria with 93 percent or 89,003 man-hours by Nigerian personnel and entire fabrication scope executed at Sudelettra Fabrication Yard, with Nigerians performing 98 percent of the 298,158 fabrication man-hours.
Other third-party services executed by Nigerian companies with requisite facilities included NDT, GRP Piping, Laboratory Testing, among others.
Wabote assured that other work scopes on the Ikike platform would be domiciled in accordance with the agreed local content targets, to sustain the job creation drive of the Federal Government.
He said: “in line with the commitment of Total Energies in the signed Nigerian Content Compliance Certificate (NCCC), hook-up engineering and tie-in services, inspections and integrity works, pre-commissioning and commissioning, marine activities would be executed with over 95 percent Nigerian personnel with locally owned equipment and assets.
“This is in keeping with the Board’s initiatives geared towards utilization of Nigerian owned marine assets and investments.”
The Executive Secretary further noted that the AMD-2 Module provided an opportunity to carry out refresher oil and gas trainings for 57 personnel as well as trainings for 30 new personnel. He requested the contractor and Total to retain the trainees in the remaining part of the Ikike project.
In his comments, the Executive Director, Total Energies, Port Harcourt District, Mr. Obi Imemba indicated that the entire Ikike project has recorded 77 percent overall progress and the construction of the modules-topsides, platforms, risers, jackets and all other packages were executed in various Nigerian yards by different vendors as approved by NCDMB. He added that “Our offshore campaigns are also being executed with vessels that are domiciled in Nigeria and the drilling is with Nigerian companies.”
He confirmed that the company had used the project to enable more than 30,000 jobs directly and indirectly, highlighting that all the aspects of the job were done with the spirit of promoting Nigerian Content and in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
The Executive Director also underscored the company’s commitment to developing a pipeline of oil and gas projects and supporting additional production potentials of Nigeria, adding that the company was keen to capitalize on all the lessons learnt from previous projects to develop the Ikike project in a simple, cost effective and efficient manner.
He recalled that the Final investment Decision (FID) for the Ikike project was taken in 2019, with support of the partners and the AMD-2 Module started in 2020 and on completion it weighed 250 tons.
He commended the contractor for delivering on the project despite the scourge of the COVID-19 and economic challenges and for recording more than 500,000 manhours without any Loss Time Injury (LTI).
Imemba assured that the offshore components of the project were already in progress, including the installation of topsides, adding that that commissioning and celebration of first oil were expected early 2022.
The Project Manager of Ikike Project, Total Energies, Mr. Modestus Nwosu confirmed that over 44 Nigerian vendors were engaged on various scopes of the Ikike project. He added that the project had also followed the instruction of the Board to undertake the renovation of a hostel and workshops in Government Technical College in Port Harcourt, River State.
Energy
Asharami Synergy Unveils Fuelling Solutions In Omagwa
In line with its commitment to driving access to quality petroleum products, Asharami Synergy Limited, a leading Sahara Group downstream company, has said the public can now access exceptional fuelling solutions at its newly commissioned retail station in Omagwa, Rivers State.
Situated strategically along the Airport Road in Omagwa, the station, which features a storage capacity of 45,000 litres each for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO, also known as diesel) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS, also known as petrol) is equipped with two pumps and four discharge nozzles for PMS and AGO.
The facility also has ample space for sundry services in a bid to ensure consumers get more “miles and smiles” as well as the energy to “go further” with Asharami’s world-class products.
“The Asharami Omagwa Retail Station is fully operational, offering a range of premium products and services. It’s a one-stop shop that also gives our esteemed customers eat-in and take-out restaurant services, shopping, as well as the Asha lubricants and Asha Service experience which will ensure premium care for all classes of automobiles and engines,” said Oladimeji Williams, Head, Government Relations and Business Development at Asharami Synergy.
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At the Commissioning, Willaims said the new station represents an important step in Asharami Synergy’s expansion plan aimed at reaching and serving more communities responsibly. “This station is strategically positioned close to the airport, serving as the gateway for powering socio-economic development in the community and those close to it, while enabling Asharami Synergy integrate all aspects of its downstream business towards ensuring efficiency and value for our customers,” he stated.
Williams commended the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Omagwa community leaders for their support and collaboration throughout the project’s duration, describing it as a “seamless and productive process that highlights Asharami’s corporate stewardship and social impact” in the community.
Similarly, Ifesinachi Ezike, Regional General Manager (South South), FAAN, emphasized the broader significance of the new station, stating, “This occasion marks a significant milestone not just for Asharami Synergy but for the airport and the entire community. It marks not just an opening of a new facility but the beginning of a renewed commitment to enhancing the travel experience of all our passengers and stakeholders”.
In a move that underscores its commitment to sustainability and community development, Asharami Synergy also commissioned a solar-powered borehole during the launch. The borehole is set to improve access to clean and reliable water for residents, marking a tangible contribution to the local community.
“At Sahara, we are always making a difference—not just through our business operations; we are unwavering in our commitment to driving sustainable development and building partnerships that enhance the well-being of our host communities,” Williams added.
Energy
Awards Galore For Shell, Staff At NAPE 2024 Conference
The Shell companies in Nigeria and staff won awards in recognition of their robust participation at the 42nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), held in Lagos.
At the closing dinner of the event, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams pledged sustained efforts by the company to address “the Nigerian energy trilemma by powering progress towards energy security in a sustainable manner”.
On the awards, the Shell was declared Best Overall Exhibitor and Best Exhibiting Energy company (International) just as Geophysicist Somime Oguntola took home the Award of Excellence for Oral Paper (second place).
The icing on the cake was a Shell staff, Johnbosco Uche, being installed as the new President of the NAPE.
It was gathered that the Shell companies in Nigeria have supported NAPE since its founding in 1975, using the skills and expertise of the large pool of energy professionals in its employment to improve its activities especially educational and mentoring programmes.
In addition to being a major sponsor of the 2024 conference, Shell mounted a high-profile exhibition, featuring among other things, career counselling, engagements on Nigerian Content and Contractor development and panel sessions on Women in Industry and Sustainability Energy Challenge.
A highlight was the Shell medical stand which attended to more than more than 500 conference participants and members of the public over the four days of the annual event. The doctors and nurses offered a wide range of services including laboratory tests, deworming, medical consultation as well as ophthalmology checks and distribution of nearly 300 eyeglasses.
Adams referred to the operations of SNEPCo as an example of Shell’s contribution to energy security in Nigeria. “As a result of sustained production from Bonga, we have provided funds to finance development, created a new generation of Nigerian Deepwater professionals, empowered indigenous contractors and service providers, and implemented social investments that have touched lives in the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.
Adams added, “SNEPCo and indeed Shell are in Nigeria for the long haul. Our commitment is reflected in both our current and growth plans, all of which are grounded in principles of safety, affordability, and competitive performance.”
Energy
Accugas Denies Culpability In Akwa Ibom’s Power Outage
Owing to the persistent power outage, which has crippled economic and social life in most parts of Akwa Ibom State and environs, Accugas Limited has washed its hands off the ugly situation.
This was contained in a statement under the signature of its Communications Manager, Okwudili Onyia, in which the company traced the anomaly to a “fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line”.
To ameliorate the situation, the company maintained that “It is imperative that the restoration of the Aba-Itu line is completed as soon as possible.”
In addition, the company pledged thus, “Accugas will continue to partner with, and support, the government of Akwa Ibom State towards achieving the government’s agenda for economic development and prosperity of the state.”
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The statement reads, “Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy, wishes to strongly deny the misinformation concerning its alleged involvement in the current power outage in Akwa Ibom State.
“The power cut in Akwa Ibom State is entirely due to the reported fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line, which, unfortunately, is preventing power being transmitted from the National Grid into the State. It is imperative that the restoration of the Aba-Itu line is completed as soon as possible.
“Ibom Power Company (“IPC”) is one of 23 thermal power generation companies which channel power to the National Grid, which in turn disseminates all accumulated power to each State of the Federation through the electricity distribution companies (“Discos”). Indeed, Accugas supplies gas to enable c. 20% of Nigeria’s thermal generation capacity and, as such, is a critical enabler of the Nigerian economy.
“Within Akwa Ibom State, Accugas has been the sole supplier of gas to IPC since 2014 and, together with other Savannah subsidiaries, has invested over US$1.5 billion in gas development within the state. Furthermore, Savannah has recently invested c. US$45 million in a gas compression project at Accugas’ Uquo central processing facility at Esit Eket. Accugas’ commitments also extend to several social investment projects in the state. All the foregoing investments and projects, including other imminent investments Accugas intends to make in the State, demonstrate the Company’s long-term commitment to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
“Accugas will continue to partner with, and support, the government of Akwa Ibom State towards achieving the government’s agenda for economic development and prosperity of the state.”