Shell will continue to power progress in the drive for energy security in Nigeria through its businesses in the Upstream, Midstream and Downstream and Renewables sectors.

This view was shared by the Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC,) Osagie Okunbor in Lagos, on Tuesday.

It was contained in remarks delivered on his behalf by Exploration Manager Gogo Eneyok at the opening of the 42^nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

Okunbor maintained that the range of the Shell businesses were integrated across the energy value chain and working hard to address the challenges as captured in the theme of the event: “Resolving the Nigeria Energy Trilemma: Energy Security, Sustainable Growth & Affordability.”

ALSO READ: How Oil Cabals Crippled Govt Refineries, Now Scheming Against Dangote Refinery – Pastor Adeboye

In addition to the SPDC, the other Shell businesses in Nigeria include, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo,) Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG,) Daystar Power and All On as well as Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG,) in which Shell has 25.6% interests.

Okunbor stated, “Shell, working with government, regulators and stakeholders, is actively participating in finding a pathway through the energy trilemma. We are focused on generating maximum value and cash to power the country.”

Referring to efforts towards low and zero-carbon products to market, he said, “Shell is deploying latest technologies in reducing emission in our operations and we are well on track to meet our forecasted Green House Gas reduction targets.

”SNG is also increasing domestic gas delivery through its distribution network of 150 kilometers in Nigeria while Daystar and All On are giving individuals and communities access to cleaner and affordable energy.

Okunbor however, pointed out that for these and other efforts and investments to achieve the desired results, government had to improve the regulatory environment with continuous improvement in the provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act. “The menace of crude theft and illegal refining must also be tackled to safeguard the nation’s resources and protect the environment,” he added.

The opening ceremony of the NAPE conference featured a tour of exhibition stand by the executive members of NAPE. He and other dignitaries were conducted round the Shell stand by Magdalene Umoh, a Senior Production Systems Engineer.

She gave an insight to the milestones of Shell businesses in Nigeria including social investments and development of Nigerian contractors and vendors. The Shell stand is complemented by a well-staffed medical team which is attending to participants and visitors for the duration of the four-day conference.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Butane Energy Limited have taken a significant step forward in their collective drive to make liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) a widely accessible, cleaner, and more cost-effective fuel option for cooking, with the commissioning of a 180-metric-tonne LPG Filling Plant in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

Commissioned on Friday, the Filling Plant, is the second after the 100MT LPG Storage and Bottling Plant in Kabukawa Layout, Katsina, Katsina State, in 2021, in keeping with a joint venture to establish five of such facilities in Northern Nigeria with a combined storage capacity of 1,000MT.

Biztellers reports that the Kano LPG Storage and Bottling Plant in Kano State is slated for commissioning in the first quarter of 2025, while construction work on another in Bauchi is at an advanced stage, with Abuja next in line.

ALSO READ: FIRS Names Dangote Group Most Tax Complaint Business

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of NCDMB, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, expressed satisfaction with the impressive strides of Butane Energy Ltd.

He pointed out that NCDMB was motivated to enter into equity partnership with the indigenous LPG storage, trading and marketing company after the latter presented “a [bankable] business plan aimed at enhancing gas penetration in northern Nigeria.”

He explained that the Board acted in line with its statutory mandate to catalyse in-country capacity development through equity funding.

NCDMD, he noted further, was also interested in job creation through such projects, as there were clear possibilities for employment into technical and managerial cadres as operations progressed.

According to him, no fewer than 200 Nigerians gained employment, and there was the added benefit of local content growth.

Equally significant to the NCDMB was the consideration that the project was in alignment with Federal Government’s expressed commitment to net-zero emissions by 2026, and the campaign for cleaner alternative to kerosene and firewood as cooking fuel.

In his own remarks, the Chairman, Butane Energy Ltd, Alhaji Isa Inuwa Muhammed, stated that NCDMB is a co-owner of the company, and expressed gratitude to the Management of the NCDMB for the confidence reposed in his company, particularly in its vision and business approach.

According to the Chairman, the relationship between the Board and Butane is based on trust, and that the success thus far would greatly reinforce the partnership.

Established in 2017 as a player in LPG storage and marketing, Butane Energy Ltd has massive distribution assets in northern Nigeria, and is deliberate in its corporate objective to make the fuel accessible to every part of the region.

The LPG Filling Plant is part of NCDMB’s strategic third-party investments aimed at supporting in-country capacity development, reducing reliance on traditional fuels, fostering sustainability and building a greener future for Nigeria.

Energy policy expert, Yemi Adeoye has suggested that a second term for former U.S. President Donald Trump could present significant opportunities for African leaders, particularly in the realm of energy development.

Speaking on TVC News on Monday, Adeoye emphasized that Trump’s focus on reducing global regulations and prioritizing the U.S. economy could allow African nations to better leverage their natural resources without the constraints of climate policies that have historically been imposed by Western powers.

READ MORE: Sustaining Achievements Of NPFL Calls For Consistency

“Looking at Africa as an economic bloc, I think it will be good, especially when you look at our energy concerns,” Adeoye said.

“I think his administration would be okay because Mr. Trump is very focused on reducing the United States’ global regulations. His focus is more on the internal economy of the United States, and that is his major focus.”

Adeoye pointed out that Trump’s economic strategy has typically been centered around protecting and boosting the U.S. economy, particularly in comparison to economic competitors like China and Western Europe.

“If you look at his comments about the U.S. economy, it has always been ‘America first’—how he is going to grow the economy internally,” he explained.

“He is not really bothered about blocs that are not economic competitors or contemporaries of the United States. Africa is not competing with the U.S. Africa is not an economic contemporary of the U.S., so he is not bothered about Africa.”

On the issue of climate change and energy policies, Adeoye noted that Trump’s historical stance of downplaying climate concerns could be advantageous for African nations looking to develop their energy sectors.

Adeoye said, “He’s not going to impose the climate change policies on Africans. Trump, during his last administration, did not really bother about Africa. He is not concerned about climate change; he even said it was a hoax that it was not real, and he is in full support of fracking.”

Adeoye explained that Trump’s support for shale fracking, a controversial method that has boosted U.S. oil production, could have a ripple effect on global energy markets.

“Shale fracking, which we know has environmental issues, is fully supported by Trump because it is going to grow the United States’ oil production significantly,” he said. “In fact, global oil production should grow by about 10% if shale fracking reaches its full potential.”

He also pointed out that Africa contributes only about 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, much lower than major emitters like China and the U.S. “Africa’s emissions footprint is very low, and that means our mineral resources are being underutilized,” Adeoye said.

“What we probably do majorly is export them across the world. We can now use these resources to develop because our greenhouse gas emissions are so low.”

In this context, Adeoye stressed the importance of Africa being allowed to fully develop its natural resources without restrictions.

He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the right to utilize its mineral deposits, a message reinforced by President Bola Tinubu at international platforms like the United Nations. “Nigeria has been campaigning in all the major global energy conferences that Africa should be allowed to develop the continent with its mineral deposits,” he said.

In addition, Adeoye urged African leaders to seize the opportunity presented by a Trump presidency, emphasizing that his policies could help unlock the continent’s energy potential.

“I think Trump is an opportunity for African leaders to be very strategic,” he said. “He is not going to impose regulations on them. For all we have seen, we can take it that he would not want to impose regulations with regard to gas emissions or climate change.”