NNPC/NPDC Now Major Gas Supplier With Oredo Gas Handling Facility

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The Federal Government has restated its commitment to developing the oil and gas sector of the economy with the commissioning of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NNPC/NPDC) Oredo Gas Handling Facility (GHF).

The commissioning of the early first gas phase makes NPDC the major gas supplier to the nation's domestic market, with a current supply of approximately 400MMscfd and an expected growth to 600MMscfd by year end, Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke said, while inaugurating the facility in Benin City Thursday.

'Today's commissioning of the Oredo Early first gas phase, which is currently delivering 65MMscfd to the domestic market clearly demonstrates this growing capability of NPDC to take a leading role in the Federal Government's quest to rapidly increase gas supply, and it is my hope that by the end of this year, the complete Integrated Gas Handling Facility (IGHF) which will deliver 100MMscfd of lean gas, and about 330 tons of LPG per annum to domestic consumers will have been completed,' Alison-Madueke said.

Assuring that it's plan, to ensure that the abundant gas resources in the country are exploited to the benefits of all Nigerians, was on course, the Federal Government further reassured that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently before the National Assembly would give special consideration to indigenous players.

According to her, “Successive Government's have over the years made efforts to utilise this abundant gas resource for the benefit of the citizens.

“This informed the launch of the gas development initiative of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's administration. This is one of the core reform tenets and initiatives that underpins Mr. President's transformation agenda within the Oil and Gas Sector.”

Allison Madueke explained that “Under this initiative, the industry is pursuing vigorously the monetisation of natural gas endowment through gas to power, and other gas related industrialisation.”

She maintained that “The commissioning of the Early First Gas phase of the Oredo gas handling facility, which was constructed by NNPC/NPDC is another milestone in the realisation of the commitment of Mr. President towards improving power supply to the country.”

According to the Minister, 'The Goodluck Jonathan Administration understands the core importance of NNPC's role in the economy, but also the critical need for increased indigenous participation in the business of exploring and producing oil and gas.

“It is this commitment to support indigenous oil and gas production growth that led to the assignment of a number of assets to NPDC.”

She maintained that government's commitment is further reflected in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) 2012 currently before the National Assembly, where special consideration has been given to indigenous players in the industry.”

She added that as part of this strategic focus, the Federal Government has also established the Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria, which, according to her, acts essentially as a market place, bringing buyers and sellers of the gas together, thereby ensuring profitable gas development.

She also noted that NPDC is now the major gas supplier to the nation's domestic market, with a current supply of approximately 400MMscfd and an expected growth to 600MMscfd by year end.

Allison-Madueke said the commissioning of the Oredo early first gas phase, which is currently delivering 65MMscfd to the domestic market, clearly demonstrates this growing capability of NPDC to take a leading role in the Federal Government's quest to rapidly increase gas supply to all in the country.

She expressed the hope that by the end of this year, the complete Integrated Gas Handling Facility (IGHF), which will deliver 100MMscfd of lean gas, and about 330 tons of LPG per annum to domestic consumers, would have been completed.