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2 contractors killed, 2 others wounded at Saudi oil refinery

2 contractors killed, 2 others wounded at Saudi oil refinery

Death
Riyadh, Oct.15, 2019 (dpa/NAN) SASREF, a Saudi oil refinery owned by the state energy giant Aramco, on Tuesday said that two contractors were killed and two others wounded in an operational incident.
The company disclosed this in a statement in Riyadh.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on a vessel in the eastern city of al-Jubail while the contractors were working on the unit.
However, the statement did not disclose any details about the nature of the incident or the nationality of the victims.
It, however, promised that all safety measures would be revised to prevent such incidents in the future. (dpa/NAN)
YI/MST
Edited by Yahaya Isah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

South Sudan, China explore closer cooperation in oil sector

South Sudan, China explore closer cooperation in oil sector

Cooperation
Juba, Oct. 3, 2019 (Xinhua/NAN) South Sudan and China on Thursday vowed to strengthen cooperation in the oil sector in a bid to increase production in the East African country’s oil industry, a senior petroleum ministry official has said.
The Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, Hua Ning, held talks earlier with South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister, Awow Chuang, over investment opportunities in the country’s oil sector.
The undersecretary of the ministry, Mayen Wol, said the two sides discussed ways of how Chinese oil companies operating in South Sudan could boost their existing exploration and investments.
“We are going to be friendly to the Chinese companies so that they can extract the oil because this oil is beneficial to all of us,’’ Wol said.
South Sudan has the third-largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, estimated at 3.5 billion barrels, and much of the reserves being unexplored.
However, the civil war that erupted in late 2013 affected the country’s oil industry, with production declining from 350,000 barrels per day in 2011 to less than 130,000 in 2014 amid soaring inflation.
Following the signing of a new peace deal in September 2018, conflict reduced and previously closed oilfields now reopened, the landlocked country was hoping to raise daily output to nearly 200,000 barrels by the end of 2019.
Ning said China was ready to help the world’s youngest nation to develop its vast oil resources.
“We will work together with the South Sudanese Government and its citizens together to build the oil industry and develop the production capabilities in a sustainable way.
“We are pleased to see that oil production has kept growing and it is a great support for the national economy and the peace process of South Sudan,’’ Ning said. (Xinhua/NAN)
YI/MST
Edited by Yahaya Isah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Uncategorized

Wike warns communities over shut-down of oil production facilities

Wike warns communities over shut-down of oil production facilities

Oil

By Dianabasi Effiong

Port Harcourt, June 13, 2019 (NAN) Gov.  Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Thursday in Port Harcourt warned that the government would no longer tolerate the shutting down of oil production facilities by communities in the state.

He gave the warning at a meeting with Chairmen of Cluster Development Boards in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas, as well as Oil Companies and security agencies at the Government House.

Wike also said that under no circumstances should communities take laws into their hands by preventing oil production companies from working.

He directed the immediate revival of the State Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards responsible for intervening between the companies and communities.

He said: “I will not support any company not to carry out their corporate social responsibilities to their host communities.

“However, communities must not take laws into their hands. They must not stop production by the operating companies.

“Such actions will negatively affect the finances of the Federal Government, the state and  the local government areas.’’

He said in cases where companies  failed to act within the expectations of the communities,  the State Government will mediate through  the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards.

“It is important that we do not allow crisis to occur in the communities.  The Aeroton rig in one community was seized.

“That rig should be allowed to work. I called this meeting because of the concerns raised by the operating companies in the area,’’ he said.

Wike said that the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards would have the Permanent Secretary, Community Development, Security Agencies, Community Development Clusters and oil companies as members.

According to the governor, the committee will meet at regular intervals to address challenges in order to forestall escalation of conflicts.

He regretted that most problems in the Niger Delta are caused by oil companies who patronise and engage with criminal elements to the disadvantage of the host communities.

In a remark, former Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Samuel Horsfall, alleged that thought the oil companies knew the right things to do, but they never take the right steps.

He also alleged that the oil companies even refused to recognise Council Chairmen who were the direct links to the respective communities.

An official of one of the Cluster Development Boards, Mr Charles Sekibo, denied seizing the rig of one of the oil companies.

He said that his community had been providing needed support for the company to engage in production.

The Managing Director of Aeroton, Mr Ebiaho Emafo, said that nobody had the right to stop the production of oil companies.

He said that the company spent about N3 billion on community developments even when it was struggling to make ends meet. (NAN)

DOE/MZA

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Judiciary

Oil Transaction: 2 persons docked for N12m forgery, conspiracy

Oil Transaction: 2 persons docked for N12m forgery, conspiracy
By Edith Nwapi
Forgery
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2018 (NAN) Two persons, Mariam Eyitayo and Bethrand Johnson, were arraigned in an FCT High Court on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged forgery and conspiracy.
The EFCC dragged them to court on an 11-count charge bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12 million.
They were arraigned along with three companies: Hamchid Nigeria Limited, Royal Reality and Investment Limited, and Rapid Technoslim and Investment Limited.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Benjamin Manji, told the court that the EFCC received a petition, dated July 14, 2016, from Darison Samuel Jatau.
He alleged that about March 25, 2015, Jatau paid the defendants a sum of N12 million for the sale of two million barrels of crude oil in Accra, Ghana.
Also, 120 million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil at Bonny terminal, Rivers State, only for him to find out he had been duped.
Manji said that the offence is contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.
Manji prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in prison custody.
The defence counsel, Aleichenu Ogwuche, informed the court of an application for bail.
The Judge, Justice Peter Affen, upheld the administrative bail granted the 2nd defendant (Johnson) by the EFCC.
Affen admitted the 1st defendant (Eyitayo) to bail in the sum of N12 million, two sureties in like sum who must be public servants not below level 13.
“The 1st defendant did not readily make herself available even when granted administrative bail, the court will impose such conditions that will ensure that the 1st defendant attends court,’’ he held.
He added that one of the sureties must deposit evidence of land ownership in Abuja and the defendants should deposit their international passports with the Registrar of the court.
Affen also ordered the first defendant to be remanded at Suleja prison, pending the perfection of her bail.
He adjourned until Dec. 18 for commencement of trial. (NAN)
NEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Rising Crude Oil Prices: Experts call for total deregulation of petrol prices

Rising Crude Oil Prices: Experts call for total deregulation of petrol prices
By Yunus Yusuf
Deregulation
Lagos, Oct. 5, 2018 (NAN) Some oil and gas experts have called for full deregulation of price of petroleum products in the country because of the rising prices of crude oil at the international market.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday, the experts said total deregulation would liberalise the sector and enable them to sell at deregulated prices.
Mr Emmanuel Iheanacho, the Chairman, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd., said that full deregulation would curb the huge amount the government spent on subsidy which could be invested to develop other sectors.
Iheanacho urged government to embrace deregulation to allow marketers import petrol and sell at competitive prices.
“No marketer can buy petrol at N174 per litre at the international market and sell at government approved price of N145 without paying the differentials at the downstream sector.
“If deregulated, it would create free market and allow government to concentrate in developing other sectors like education, agriculture and ICT,’’ he said.
Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman of Western Zone of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said full deregulation would also curb incessant pipeline vandalism.
Ahmed said that if the downstream was fully deregulated, no marketer would allow products to be stolen by vandals.
The marketer said a deregulated petroleum sector would be driven by prices that would be determined by forces of demand and supply.
Mr Obafemi Olawore, a former executive secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), also said full deregulation of the downstream sector remained the best option for economic growth.
Olawore said only deregulation would encourage the establishment of private refineries in the country.
“We have to be ready to accept the reality of total deregulation of the downstream sector. I am sure most of the people truly understand the concept of deregulation.
“If we embark on deregulation today, petrol prices will be different across the states; the price may be significantly high at the early stages, but it will reduce gradually as we move on,’’ he said.
NAN recalls that in April, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said that the Federal Government’s annual expenditure on fuel subsidy had risen to over N1.4 trillion. (NAN)
YO/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

N650bn debt: Oil marketers urge FG to hasten payment

N650bn debt: Oil marketers urge FG to hasten payment
By Yunus Yusuf
Debt
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) Oil marketers on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to hasten payment of over N650 billion subsidy arrears to save their assets from being taken over by banks.
The marketers, under the aegis of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Members of the association include Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN); Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIs).
The Executive Secretary of DAPPMA, Mr Olufemi Adewole, urged the government to lessen the bureaucratic process involved in the payment process.
According to him, the inability of federal government to pay the debt had resulted in massive job losses in the oil and gas industry, which has affected the marketers’ operation.
Adewole said that 60 per cent of marketers had been forced out of business, as banks had taken over their depots, assets and properties due to their inability to pay back monies borrowed.
He added that many marketers were forced out of business, while others are presently struggling to survive due to the unpaid subsidy arrears.
Adewole also said that the development has been threatening investment in the downstream sector.
“It has had very adverse effects on our operations. I am aware of two depots that have been forcibly taken over by banks because they got injunctions from the courts.
“They did so the moment they heard that National Assembly has approved payment to marketers. Unfortunately, as at today, Sept. 27, the money is yet to get into our accounts.
“Another challenge we have is that many of the marketers had to lay off more than 90 per cent of their staff because of financial challenges.
“Although, few of them are still operating, but not in good number with just about three to four staffs,” he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of South-West Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Tayo Aboyeji, told NAN that loading activities had been bad at most private depot.
Aboyeji attributed the situation to the inability of the marketers to import petroleum products.
He said that most drivers had been lamenting low patronage from private depots due to non-payment of marketers’ subsidy arrears, among other factors.
Aboyeji said the situation had made some depots to convert workers into contract staff.
“Government should find a way to pay the marketers and deregulate the sector to allow more players into the industry.
“When the downstream is fully deregulated, more marketers will engage in importation and it will help tanker drivers in their businesses because of the financial challenges,’’ he said.
However, he regretted that the government, as against paying part of the money in promissory note and cash, may pay only in promissory note.
Adewole frowned at the prospect of having to go back and discount the promissory note in the bank.
“This means we are losing, because the money had been delayed and this adds up the interest to be charged on our accounts.
“Although, what was approved to be paid is not the actual amount the government owes us.
“The interest came about as a result of devaluation of naira from N197 to N285 to a dollar,” he said.
Meanwhile, a source, who is an independent marketer, urged government to deregulate the downstream sector.
He said that the deregulation would curb the huge amount of money spent on subsidy.
According to him, marketers have run out of cash and their businesses are gradually going moribund as a result of capital been stocked.
“No marketer can import petrol with the present price differential
“We cannot buy fuel at N174 per litre at the international market and government is forcing us to sell at N145 without paying the differentials.
“That was the reason we are urging the government to urgently embark on full deregulation of the sector to create free flow market and allow government to use the money to develop other sector,’’ he said.
According to him, only the NNPC imports fuel and then use its discretion to allocate products to marketers, adding that if deregulated it will also help government to invest the subsidy money into other sectors. (NAN)
YO/KTO/MST
By Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Transparency: auditor-general commends NNPC for updated, audited accounts

NAN-HE-13

Transparency

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Aug. 4, 2017 (NAN) The Auditor-General for the Federation (AGF), Mr Anthony Ayine on Friday commended “the practical efforts’’ of the present NNPC management in ensuring probity, accountability and transparency in its operations.

The AGF gave the commendation in a statement issued by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division in Abuja.

Ughamadu said the AGF spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the NNPC.

“I note with delight that he assumed office in July 2016, but he has done quite a number of things worthy of commendation.

“Let me also note with delight that information available to me is that the audited accounts of NNPC that were in arrears are now audited up to Dec. 31, 2014.’’

Ayine said the Office of AGF was not only delighted on the significant changes in the corporation but was encouraged by the renewed assurance from the GMD of improved access to enable auditors perform their duty effectively.

He called for improved synergy between the Office of AGF and the oil and gas industry by providing technical exposure and support to auditors.

The statement quoted the Group Managing Director of  NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru as saying “transparency and accountability had become a way of life for  the management and staff of the corporation’’.

Baru said that the era of unpublished or accumulated NNPC audit accounts was over.

“This explains why we publish our operations and financial reports every month so that not only your office but the general public could follow the trail.

“ I don’t think there is any government institution that has demonstrated this level of transparency,’’ Baru said.

According to him, the corporation hopes to conclude the 2015 audited accounts by the end August.

He said that the preparation of the 2016 audited account which began a month ago would be concluded by the end of 2017.

The GMD said NNPC had a mandate to ensure that Nigerians reaped bountifully from the proceeds of its vast hydrocarbon resources.

He said that the management was also willing to always adopt measures that would propel the realisation of the noble objectives of the corporation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NNPC publication, which is available on the corporation’s official website, provides an overview of NNPC’s operations across the oil and gas value chain (Upstream, Midstream & Downstream).

The report specifically provides detailed and unprecedented statistical insight into crucial aspects of the corporation’s activities ranging from National Crude Oil & Natural Gas Production, Lifting and Utilisation. (NAN)

KC/DO/EEE

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Edited by David Onilede/Ese E. Ekama

 

 

 

Economy

Oil, gas communities assure returning oil companies of adequate security

NAN-HE-17

Security

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja,Aug 3,2017 (NAN)  Oil and Gas Producing host communities in Nigeria (HOSTCOM) say they will ensure the provision of enabling environment for the resumed operation of  international and national oil companies in the Niger-Delta region.

The National Chairman of HOSTCOM, Dr Mike Emuh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had directed the international Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger-Delta region to relocate their headquarters to their states of operations, based on  provision of the Local Content Act.

Emuh said that the marching order by the acting president could only be possible given the provision of enabling environment to the companies by the host communities.

“This  order will not work until the host communities and the Niger-Delta create enabling environment for the IOCs to relocate back.

“Nobody wants to settle down where there is no peace, but I can assure you that presently  in the Niger –Delta there is peace.

“ For the past one year, there is no gun shot, no vandalism, no pipe line destruction,  this has been made possible by the host communities.

“We are now asking the oil companies to relocate back to Niger Delta; we assure them of security, host community is creating an enabling environment, that is why we are bringing in foreign investors.

“ We are bringing in foreign investors for the transformation of  the Niger-Delta region.“

According to him, HOSTCOM is working toward recruiting 10 to 20 boys from each community from  the over 1,000 communities in the region for pipeline surveillance.

This, he said, was necessitated by the consideration of  the  Ministry of Petroleum Resources to give pipeline surveillance to the host community to employ its youths.

He said that the problem of insecurity in the region was heightened by politicians who provided guns for the unemployed youths in the region for electioneering purpose.

“Most of these boys were graduates without jobs and  they were hired  as thugs; they were empowered by the politicians and  after  the elections, the boys resorted to  using  the guns for  kidnap of  expatriates, and then robbery and eventually the IOCs  and the NOCs  all left the Niger-Delta because of kidnapping of their expatriates.“

On the cleaning up of Ogoni land, he said that plans were on to commence the full implementation of the exercise, adding that some monies had been released by the IOCs and some international bodies.

“All the stakeholders are putting our heads together, to make sure that things work out; the ground breaking ceremony took place, and many companies have been screened.

“ I want to believe, now that the IOCs and the international body have released some money to the board, I think we are going to commence execution.

“ I think it  is  in the heart  of the President  and this present  regime to make sure that the Ogoni   and other parts of the Niger-Delta are cleaned, so any moment from now we will commence operation in the Ogoni clean up.“

He said the exercise would bring many benefits to the people in the region.

According to him, the former Minister of Environment,  Mrs Amina Mohammed, has promised the people of Ogoni, during the ground breaking ceremony, that 1,200 women will be empowered.

“Basically the youth of the Ogoni land will be employed by all the companies and the government.

“As I am talking to you, two members of the board of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) are from Ogoni.

“Over two members of Ogoni citizens are members of the governing council and our project coordinator  is from Ogoni, so people of Rivers and the Niger-Delta will all benefit from Ogoni clean up.“(NAN)

KC/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

 

 

 

 

 

Economy

Oil producing communities want passage of PIB bill on 10% equity

Oil producing communities want passage of PIB bill on 10% equity

NAN-HE-14

Communities

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Aug. 3, 2017 (NAN) Oil and Gas Producing host communities in Nigeria (HOSTCOM) has urged the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)  on 10 per cent equity and other versions to improve the lives of people  in the Niger Delta region.

The National Chairman of HOSTCOM, Dr Mike Emuh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that it was crucial to pass the bill on 10 per cent equity for HOSTCOM and also implement relevant laws on gas flaring, due to the plight of the communities over the years.

Emuh, also a board member of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project on Ogoni clean-up,  said  the approval would further pacify the host communities and address decades of injustice and marginalisation of the people.

“The PIB is nine years old,  now why is it not being implemented. The 10 per cent equity for the oil producing host communities  was proposed  as an executive bill by the late President Umaru Yaradua, why is it that it is not being passed into law?

“The  International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the National Oil Company (NOC) members  of  the National Assembly should come to the  rescue of the host communities.

“ We implore members of the National Assembly to pass at least one bill in favour of the host communities; we have patiently waited and we will not take it for granted.

He said that the earlier 13 per cent derivation was diverted to the state governments against the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“There is no law that says that 13 per cent should be given to state governments and local governments; now the local governments are going to be autonomous, so what happens to the money,“ he said.

He advocated the setting up of committee by the Federal Government to manage the 13 per cent for the benefit of the oil producing host communities.

Emuh also advocated the allocation of oil blocks and licences for the establishment of modular refineries to HOSTCOM.

“It is quite unfortunate that the Niger-Delta as a whole does not have oil block and they are the owners of the oil.”

We are not impressed with the fact that the  south-south  monarchs,  none of them owns an oil block.

“ That we members of the board of trustees and national executive of the host community, nobody owns  an oil block, neither the title to lift oil, nor any entitlement for refined  product purchase.

“In the past governments, we were totally denied, but I think that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is now looking in to that issue.

“I think the minster of petroleum  and the acting president  are  looking at these issues of the denial of divinely endowed prerogatives  of the Niger Deltans.”

He said  that the HOSTCOM  had entered into a memorandum  for the establishment of modular refineries and mechanised agriculture in the region with some foreign technical partners from  the UK, Italy and other countries.

This, he said, would also create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the region. (NAN)

KC/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

 

 

 

Economy

Chad Basin Ambush: We won’t abandon oil search – UniMaid

NAN-HE-12
Oil
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, July 31, 2017 (NAN) The Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, on Monday assured the NNPC that it would not abandon the search for commercial hydrocarbon deposits in the Chad basin in spite of  the recent insurgent attack on lecturers of the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some members of staff of the NNPC, five lecturers of the university, soldiers and civilian members of the JTF were attacked by Boko Haram insurgents on July 25.

The group was on explorative mission to the Chad basin in Borno to search for hydrocarbon deposits.

A number of soldiers and others were killed while the lecturers were abducted by Boko Haram.

A statement on Monday said  Njodi gave the assurance in Maiduguri when receiving a delegation from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the NNPC.

The statement was signed by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division.

According to it, Njodi said that the entire university community was distraught by the cruel incident of July 25.

“The university will not “chicken out’’ from doing what it is supposed to do when  the NNPC re-organises and returns to exploration work in the area,’’ the statement quotes the VC as saying.

He described the attack on the Frontier Exploration Services/Surface Geochemistry Sampling team –made up of consultants from the university, NNPC staff, soldiers and civilian escort team — as an act of God.

According to him, the situation, painful as it might appear, must be seen as a necessary sacrifice for the development of the country.

Njodi called on the NNPC to stand firm with the university and the families of the bereaved by providing the needed support to overcome the massive setback caused by the insurgent attack.

Earlier, Mr Saidu Mohammed, NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer in charge of gas and power unit, said NNPC would do everything possible to support the university and the families of the victims of the attack.

“We have been great partners with the University of Maiduguri for many years and certainly when losses like this happen and under this circumstance, we cannot abandon our partners to their fate,’’ Mohammed said.

He promised to return to the university after conferring with the minister of state for petroleum resources and the group managing director of the NNPC.

The NNPC delegation also paid a visit to the state government, where the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, also urged the corporation not to allow the attack to discourage the search for new oil fields in the region.

Also, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, who represented the theatre commander of Operation Lafia Dole, received the formal condolence letter from the minister.

Olabanji restated the readiness of the military to perform its statutory role of providing security cover for exploration activities in the Chad Basin and beyond.

Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, upon return of the delegation, announced some short term palliatives for victims of the attacks. (NAN)

KC/AOS/IA
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Idris Abdulrahman)