Energy
Asset ownership key to Nigerian Content Development -Wabote
Precious ADELOLA
ABUJA-INDIGENOUS service companies in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry have been advised to invest in asset ownership because it is a major yardstick used by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to define Nigerian companies and confer advantages on them.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote gave the advice on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while commissioning PIMO Services Ltd’s new facilities and equipment.
He explained that the acquisition of important assets defined genuine Nigerian businesses who are not middlemen or commission agents but are positioned to offer top-notch services in-country.
He added that investment in assets also proves that Nigerian businesses are taking up the challenge to grow their outfits and contribute to in-country capacities and capabilities.
Assets commissioned by the Executive Secretary included Operational Bases I & II of PIMO Services and their newly acquired equipment, which included Hydro Hammer with the capacity of 200 kilo Joules, Internal Lifting Tools with the capacity of 250 tons, up to 42-inch diameter Conductors and Casing Running Tools, and many other state of the art tools to service the oil and gas industry.
He expressed delight that the acquisition of the modern tools and equipment afforded the company’s engineers and technicians the opportunity to develop requisite skills and competence to handle various jobs thereby enhancing engineering capabilities within the country.
While commending the management of the company for investing and contributing significantly to the growth of the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector, Wabote added that the investments also supported the Board’s 10-year strategic roadmap aimed at increasing the level of Nigerian Content in the Oil and Gas sector to 70 percent by 2027.
He noted that PIMO Services was the second facility he was commissioned in Port Harcourt since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, describing it as signs that better days were gradually returning to the oil and gas industry.
He called on other oil and gas service providers to emulate PIMO Services in their focus and dedication, adding that the growth of oil and gas facilities needs to be worked on steadily till full rewards are realized.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of PIMO Services, Mr. Pius Uwhubetiyi stated that some of the equipment and tools it acquired were the only ones in Nigeria. He noted that the company’s investment in Hydro Hammer would save project promoters about 90 days that are normally spent importing and exporting the equipment for projects, while another major piece of equipment saved Total Energies about US$600,000 when it was deployed on Ikike Field Development Project.
He added that the company was working to become the first firm to produce casing accessories in Nigeria, adding that it had the capacity, competence, and character to deliver on areas of expertise.
PIMO Services Limited is a wholly owned Nigerian Company and it had developed skills in the provision of quality engineering services such as Mechanical, Civil & Structural, Electrical Installation/Maintenance, Fire and Gas Systems, and other services to the oil and gas industry.
The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has completed the turnaround maintenance on the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, leading to resumption of production at Nigeria’s premier deepwater field on March 6, 2026.
Biztellers reports that the project was delivered 11 days ahead of schedule and without any safety incident, reinforcing SNEPCo’s longstanding commitment to operational excellence and asset integrity.
“Completing the turnaround safely and ahead of schedule is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our Nigerian workforce and the helpful support of our partners,” SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams said. “The achievement not only secures the long‑term integrity of the Bonga FPSO but also positions us strongly for the successful delivery of the Bonga North project, which will leverage the improved reliability of the FPSO.”
The exercise which began on February 1, 2026, highlights SNEPCo’s leading role in advancing deep‑water expertise in Nigeria. Of the 55 companies involved in the execution, 43 were wholly Nigerian. Additionally, eight of the 12 international service providers maintain operational bases in Nigeria, contributing to knowledge transfer and increased local investments.
More than 1,000 personnel worked offshore during the turnaround, with over 95% being Nigerians involved in maintenance, engineering, operations, inspection and construction. Thousands more supported activities from onshore locations, reflecting the depth of Nigerian capability in offshore oil and gas operations.
Adams added: “We acknowledge the support of several stakeholders towards the successful execution of the exercise, including the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and our partners.”
Modupe Asudo
Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has commissioned MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, expanding its fleet capacity, while strengthening Ghana’s clean energy supply chain and LPG distribution network.
The dual‑fuel vessel improves operational efficiency, enhances supply reliability, and supports lower‑emission LPG logistics as consumption grows across Ghana and the wider sub‑region.
Ghanaian President Mahama and Sahara Executive Directors
Speaking at the commissioning in Ulsan, South Korea, President John Dramani Mahama described the vessel as “a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global LPG supply chain,” noting that expanded shipping capacity is critical to improving supply security, reliability and efficiency for countries that rely partly on LPG imports.
He commended Sahara Group, WAGL Energy and all partners involved for their “leadership, technical expertise and strategic foresight,” adding that the project reflects “the power of partnership” in advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.
President Mahama wished the MT Asharami Ghana safe sails, expressing confidence that the vessel would inspire further investment and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain.
According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, the vessel supports Ghana’s clean energy ambitions through integrated infrastructure.
“MT Asharami Ghana is more than a vessel; it is part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen LPG supply security and support Ghana’s clean energy ambitions. It secures an additional 25,000-Metric-tonne stock security for the Ghana economy, alongside the soon to be commissioned 6000-metric-tonee of 12.000-metric-tonne land storage in Tema,” he said.
With the addition of Asharami Ghana, Sahara Group’s LPG carrier fleet now comprises six delivered vessels with a combined capacity of 202,000 cubic metres. Supported by partnerships with WAGL Energy, NNPC Limited and other stakeholders, an additional 270,000 cubic metres of capacity is under construction and due for delivery by September 2028.
Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, said Asharami Ghana is part of Sahara’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy spanning shipping, storage, and downstream distribution globally, including the development of a 12,000‑metric‑tonne land‑based LPG storage terminal in Tema, with a 6,000‑metric‑tonne first phase scheduled for completion in May 2026.
He thanked Yaa Serwaa Alifo, MD of Asharami Ghana, for her resilience and insistence to dedicate a ship of “this magnitude solely to the Ghana Market and its landlocked neighbours.”
Ghana is targeting LPG adoption of 50 per cent of households by 2030, up from about 30 per cent today. Sahara’s investments will support clean energy access for more than 35 million people, while strengthening Ghana’s role in regional LPG trade to neighbouring and landlocked West African markets.
The commissioning comes in Sahara Group’s 30th anniversary year, guided by the Sahara Beyond XXX milestone, underscoring Sahara’s focus on building an enduring enterprise that delivers responsible growth, shared prosperity and long‑term impact across its markets.
Nigeria’s crude oil production dropped to 1.31 million barrels per day in February, even as local refineries continue to grapple with inadequate domestic crude supply needed to sustain operations.
The development shows that Nigeria again failed to meet its crude oil production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day approved by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), as output declined sharply in February 2026.
Data from OPEC’s latest Monthly Oil Market Report, based on direct communication from member countries, showed that Nigeria produced 1.314 million barrels per day in February, down from 1.459 mbpd recorded in January.
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The figures indicate a month-on-month decline of 146,000 barrels per day, widening the country’s shortfall from its OPEC production allocation.
Nigeria’s inability to meet its OPEC production quota is not only affecting its oil export earnings but also adversely impacting domestic refineries that are starved of feedstock for their operations.
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