Connect with us

Oil

Liberian oil bid round courts ECOWAS companies

Published

on

JOHANNESBURG-A new Liberian bid round for four offshore oil blocs is courting investment from ECOWAS companies, using an incentive that targets regional upstream operators which is the first of its kind in a bid round.

 
The ‘Local Content Participation’ provisions included in the design of the bid round will give preference to bidding groups with ECOWAS companies that partner with a Liberian company.
 
The bid round, run by NOCAL (National Oil Company of Liberia), opened in August and closes on November 14th. It re-opens four undrilled blocs for competitive bidding: LB-7, LB-7, LB-16 and LB-17 and is being organized with Ernst & Young (EY).
 
Bidders are being asked to bid on an upfront payment (“signature bonus”) to be paid to Liberia within a set number of days after their contract becomes effective.
 
But under the Local Content Participation provision, bids from groups that include either: a) a significant West African/ECOWAS upstream petroleum company that has committed to partner with a Liberian company, or b) a direct partnership with a Liberian company for a total of a 5 percent interest in the PSC by the Liberian company, will be considered to have 20 percent boost to their signature bonus amount.
 
NOCAL hopes that the ‘Local Content Participation’ provision will lead to meaningful Liberian participation in the upstream and downstream petroleum upstream businesses, as well as providing opportunities to regional players and helping develop the ECOWAS upstream sector.
 
Councilor Althea Sherman, NOCAL Chief Operating Officer, who is coordinating the round, said:
 
“We want a vibrant Liberian industry and jobs, but also a vibrant West African upstream sector. This provision will help do both. It will enable Liberian companies to develop capacity and take full advantage of the petroleum value chain, and give opportunities for regional companies to participate.
 
Liberia’s domestic industry is undeveloped and requires mentoring. We think that ECOWAS partners who understand the region and have successfully developed capability from a low starting point themselves are best placed to do that.”
 
NOCAL will hold a roadshow on 23rd September in Lagos, Africa’s oil capital, to present seismic data and details of the contracts on offer to ECOWAS companies.
 
 
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Oil

FG Introduces New Incentives To Revitalize Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry

Published

on

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.

Read Also: Atiku Calls For Rotational Presidency Across Nigeria’s Geopolitical Zones

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.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Tinubu set to approve ExxonMobil-Seplat oil deal, expands CNG bus initiative

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Oil

ExxonMobil To Invest $10bn In Nigeria’s Deep-Water Oil Operations

Published

on

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.”

Read Also: Offset Accuses Cardi B Of Cheating During Pregnancy

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.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.