Energy
Protection Of Africa’s Natural Carbons Sinks Will Enhance Sustainability – Sahara Group
Protecting and rehabilitating Africa’s natural carbon sinks, such as forests, oceans, coastal mangroves, wetlands and grasslands can significantly aid in mitigating the effects of climate change.
This view was expressed by Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, at the maiden edition of Asharami Square, Sahara Group’s initiative aimed at promoting sustainability through media advocacy.
According to Gray this developing intentional policies and investments on protecting the continent’s carbon sinks would enhance carbon sequestration and reduce net emissions.
She maintained that these natural landscapes act as significant carbon reservoirs, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, adding that developing reforestation and afforestation programs, implementing strict conservation policies, and providing financial incentives for conservation projects are critical for combating climate change in Africa.
Gray pointed out that Natural Gas Development and Commercialization, Increase Use of Renewables, investment in low-cost/low emissions clean energy solutions, Carbon Capture Storage/Carbon Capture and Reutilization are other factors that can help accelerate Africa’s march towards sustainability.
“Natural gas presents a viable opportunity to serve as a transition fuel as Africa continues to gradually invest in renewable energy. It is a relatively clean-burning fossil fuel, producing fewer CO₂ emissions compared to coal or petroleum. In 2021, Africa’s natural gas reserves totalled over 620 trillion cubic feet. By developing and monetizing these reserves through processing and eventual usage of CNG, LNG, LPG and other gas products, Africa can leverage its natural gas resources to support sustainable energy development,” Gray said.
On the role of the media in promoting sustainability, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said that Africa needed to articulate and promote a robust sustainability narrative that leaves no one behind in issues relating to climate change, energy access and energy transition, among others.
“To achieve this, Sahara Group hopes to make Asharami Square a formidable platform through advocacy and collaboration towards shoring up capacity and participation of all segments of the media to drive accuracy, clarity, impact, positive policy formulation, agenda-setting and collective action,” he said.
Obioma noted that Asharami Square would feature mentoring, training, exchange programs, facility tours for media practitioners and competitions to recognise and celebrate exceptional reporting of sustainability in the media.
The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has been named Major Oil Company of the Year for last year by a Nigerian publication, Energy Times.
Biztellers reports that this is in recognition of the company’s contributions to deep-water oil and gas development and the industry generally.
Energy Times also awarded the title of Amazon of Nigeria’s Oil Sector for 2024 to Elohor Aiboni, a former Managing Director of SNEPCo now on international assignment in Brunei.
The awards were presented to SNEPCo’s Senior Operations Manager, Bolanle Odunayo-Ojo, who represented the Managing Director, Ronald Adams at a ceremony attended by key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
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“We are honored to receive the recognitions for the company and our former Managing Director as they underscore our dedication to excellence in the upstream sector,” Bolanle stated. “The modest achievements are result from teamwork and support by our partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and regulatory agencies. The awards encourage us to continue to work together to power progress and innovation in Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
The SNEPCo has been a pioneer in Nigeria’s deep-water oil and gas production since it began production from Bonga in 2005, Nigeria’s first deep-water well. Gas from Bonga is also piped to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited at Bonny Island. SNEPCo’s operations have led to significant discoveries, including Bonga Southwest in 2001 and Bonga Northwest, which began production on August 5, 2014.
In its award, the Board of Directors of Energy Times pointed to the continuing success of Bonga, notably production of the 1 billionth barrel of oil in February 2023 and the recent Final Investment Decision on the $5 billion Bonga North project.
The award on Aiboni’s highlights a career that has seen her serve in various business and leadership roles within and outside Nigeria. She was appointed Managing Director of SNEPCo in 2021 and led initiatives that deepened operational efficiency, local content development and social investment projects across the six geopolitical zones in the country.
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo,) one of the sponsors of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) has commended it as a platform for driving change in Nigeria’s energy sector through the discussions that centre on business performance, cost discipline and process simplification.
“This event is special to the Shell brand, not only because of the nostalgia of Oloibiri but the quality of discourse it has enabled in our sector over the years,” SNEPCO Managing Director Ronald Adams said in a goodwill speech delivered by General Manager, Wells and Geosciences Operations Joe Mordi. He said: “We are grateful to the Society of Petroleum Engineers and our host the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for another successful outing.”
Organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum began in 1991, in commemoration of the country’s first commercial oil discovery by Shell at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in 1956. Ronald said recent developments in the Upstream and Downstream sectors of the energy industry, including the $5-billion final investment decision by Shell in the Bonga North Deepwater project echoed the sentiments around the first oil discovery.
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He noted that, “These strides come with a commitment to excellence required of us – for stakeholders, colleagues, our country and indeed, future generations. The theme for this year ‘Driving energy sustainability through technology, policy and supply chain excellence’ reflects this commitment. The future is bright, and we have the opportunity to co-create it.”
In line with its continuous improvement culture, the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) will be working closely with its stakeholders to improve operational efficiency in its domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (DLPG) supply in Nigeria.
According to a statement from its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, this was highlighted at an engagement session with stakeholders in Lagos.
It was gathered that the NLNG plans to enhance engagement and improve operational efficiency of its LPG supply through digitalisation of some of its processes which include a new platform designed to streamline regulatory processes, optimise risk management, and enhance the buyer experience. The platform will feature IT-supported relationship management, automated issue resolution, centralised real-time payments, and improved case management systems, ensuring a seamless supply process despite market shifts and external pressures.
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Manager, Commercial Contract Management, NLNG, Tolulope Longe, reiterated that the planned improvements will enable and consolidate NLNG’s resolve to delivering 100% of its LPG supply to the Nigerian market.
She said a strategic roadmap was in play to ensure the achievement of NLNG’s longstanding goals of LPG being accessible and available in the country, aligning with its vision of being a globally competitive energy company, improving lives sustainably. She also harped on the significance of these improvement initiatives and the Company’s push for LPG utilisation as a clean energy source alternative to kerosene and other fossil fuels
Longe noted that the Company remained focused on growth and sustainability of the LPG market by continuously enhancing its supply processes in collaboration with offtakers. She stressed NLNG’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to maintain pricing stability and long-term market viability. While acknowledging industry concerns, she noted the importance of operational efficiency in meeting market demands.
NLNG aims to strengthen stakeholder engagement and improve market efficiency in the LPG sector through enhanced customer interactions, minimised schedule disruptions, timely confirmations and deliveries, and prioritisation of customers with demonstrable capacity. As it adapts to market realities, NLNG remains committed to driving sustainability and delivering lasting value to Nigerians.
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