The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have committed to a marked increase and improved quality of the local content of materials and products used in the Nigerian Oil and GasNigeria.

This commitment was expressed during a courtesy visit of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engineer Simbi Kesiye Wabote and his management to the SON Corporate Headquarters in Abuja recently.

Engr. Wabote acknowledged the existing collaboration of his agency with SON in the area of standards development but expressed the desire to enhance the cooperation into certification of all local content including materials, machinery, products and services used in the oil and gas sector to assure their quality for greater value.

The Executive Secretary enumerated his organisation’s challenge in executing its mandate of guiding, monitoring, coordinating and implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act as including confirming the certification and quality status of equipment, materials, products, goods and services utilized in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Wabote called for further collaboration between the NCDMB and SON to achieve uniform standards for all locally fabricated/manufactured equipment, materials, goods and services that will be acceptable to all players in the industry as well as necessary certification and confirmation procedure between the two organisations.

“SON should amplify the circulation of information relating to existing standards for the Nigerian oil and gas industry” as this will go a long way in improving the standards of local content, according to him.

Responding, the SON Director General, Mallam Farouk Salim expressed delight at the collaborative visit, stressing that it aligns with his organisation’s publicly expressed desire to focus greater attention to improved quality of activities, products and services in the oil and gas sector in 2022.

Mallam Salim assured the NCDMB Boss that SON will take deliberate steps to ensure greater involvement of the Board and its staff in standards development activities as well as conformity assessment procedures for the oil and gas sector.

The SON DG offered the organisation’s internationally accredited management systems standards training and certification services, particularly for Quality and Environmental Management to the NCDMB at discounted rates.

He also enjoined the Board to encourage its stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to patronise the SON accredited services as part of its mandate of increasing local content while also saving scarce foreign exchange expended in accessing similar services from abroad.

Mallam Salim disclosed that the SON promoted National Metrology Institute has capacity to support the oil and gas industry in the area of accuracy of measurements through calibration of all equipment and measuring instruments.

The DG SON stated that the organisation recently acquired more equipment including mobile calibration trucks that can visit companies and sites for the calibration of all types of industrial equipment such as for density, temperature, pressure, length and dimension, small and big volume, mass, force, flow, hardness, time and frequency etc.

These metrology services according to Mallam Salim, also provide a huge window for saving scarce foreign exchange in the oil and gas sector.

The two organisations resolved to set up a joint committee to articulate the broad areas of collaboration with a view to developing a memorandum of understanding on increased scope and quality of local content for equipment, materials, goods and services in the oil and gas sector to be signed as soon as possible.

Forte Upstream Services Limited has received the ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system.

The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to the company on Thursday, 28th April 2022 at an event held at the Lagos State Civic Centre presented the certificate for the award which was issued based on the conformity of the company’s Quality Management System to the requirements of the standard ISO 9001:2015.

According to the SON the systems of Forte Upstream was subjected to rigorous certification assessment by auditors, after which the system was adjudged to have conformed to the requirements of the International Standards.

Speaking to Journalists Managing Director of Forte Upstream, Mr. Doyin Ogun said that the certification is a confirmation of his company’s effective quality management system, which has been tested by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).

“The audit process looked at the people, policies that we have, and looked at the system that we use to drive them, and put them to test. This essentially factors in what and how in terms of our policy implementation in order to reach quality levels for our stakeholders, current customers, internal stakeholders, and ultimately our potential customers.

“What we believe is that, when clients see the ISO certification, it means our system have gone through the right kind of tests. It gives us impetus to work with people that we would ordinarily have not been able to work with. It also gives us a better selection chance, when we go out there to look for partners”, he said.

He also added that the certification is now a standard for the company as it is imperative keep to the level by ensuring adequate feedback system with its clients and other stakeholders.”

The certification is in line with the companies drive to improve its processes, procedures, and quality delivery of its services and product.
Forte Upstream Services Limited (F.U.S.L) is a wholly-owned Nigerian oilfield services company, providing solutions over the years to the Nigerian energy sector. The company traces its origin to the early 90s, operating as Star-AP Joint Venture, which at that time was a joint venture between Star Oilfield Supplies Services Limited and the African Petroleum Plc.

The company later operated under the petroleum exploration and production companies. With the acquisition of AP Plc and subsequent change of ownership in 2013, the name was changed from AP Oilfield Services Limited to Forte Upstream Services Limited to reflect the new ownership by Forte Oil Plc.

Meanwhile, Gbonka Oil & Gas Limited have been championing the growth and development of the company after acquiring Forte Upstream Services Limited in 2013.

The ISO 9001 is defined as the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Most organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Seplat Energy Plc, a leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the London Stock Exchange, announced its unaudited results for the three months ended 31 March 2022, recording a rise in profit before tax by 197.8 per cent to N34.7bn from N10.6bn year-on-year. The company also generated cash from its operations to the tune of N74.4bn from N1.7bn year-on-year, rising by 197.8 per cent.

The energy Company also grew its revenue by 58.6 per cent to N100.6bn from N57.9bn year-on-year; as its gross profit soars to N48.8bn from N20.1bn year-on-year, rising by 122.3 per cent.

In its operations, Seplat Energy demonstrated a strong safety record, which extended to 26.1 million hours without LTI from operated assets (2.0 million hours in Q1 2022

Further analysis reveal Strong safety record extended to 26.1 million hours without LTI from Seplat Energy operated assets (2.0m hours in Q1 2022)

Working interest production averaged 47,603 boepd (liquids 29,079 bopd, gas 18,524 boepd), while Full-year guidance remains unchanged at 50-60 kboepd

It also revealed that the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline is mechanically completed, all commercial terms agreed and are moving through counterparty approval processes for signature.and it is expected to be fully operational by end of Q2 2022.

Also, Sibiri exploration well was drilled successfully wih data analysis underway. Seplat is working with partner to secure regulatory approval for Extended Well Test

During the period in review, it was decided to exit Ubima to focus on more profitable assets; agreement reached to sell Seplat Energy’s share to its JV partner for $55 million. 2P reserves reduce by 2 MMboe from 457mmboe t

A cursory look at the financials for the period in review shows that revenue was 544 up 58.6% to $241.8 million, EBITDA follows on the upswing with 581.6% to $147.4 million (adjusted for non-cash items)

A Strong cash generation of $178.7 million, capex of $25.7 million, strong balance sheet with $312.2 million cash at bank, net debt of $442.6 million as well as an interim dividend of US2.5 cents per share

Seplat also revealed that the FG proposed acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited is ongoing with a Sales & Purchase Agreement signed on 25 February to acquire Exxon’s shallow water operations in Nigeria, Mobil Producing Unlimited, Nigeria (MPNU).

The acquisition which remains on track and is awaiting necessary approvals, expected to complete in H2 2022

Commenting on the results, Mr. Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, said: “Seplat Energy delivered a good quarter that benefited from higher oil pricing, which offset lower production owing to continuing problems with the Trans Forcados Pipeline. However, the alternative Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline is mechanically complete and once we have signed the commercial agreements, we expect Chevron to be lifting our oil through the Escravos Terminal in the third quarter.

“Our proposed acquisition of MPNU remains on course. We are awaiting the necessary approvals from government and regulators and expect the transaction to complete in the second half of this year. The effective date of 1 January 2021 means we will benefit from higher recent oil prices and as we have previously reported, the addition of MPNU will nearly treble our production and double our reserves on a pro forma 2020 basis. The acquisition will reinforce our leadership of Nigeria’s indigenous energy sector and enabling us to generate strong future cash flows that will underpin our investment in Nigeria’s energy transition and improve our overall stakeholder returns. It will also bring a significant undeveloped gas resource base which, alongside our ANOH gas project development, will underpin Nigeria’s energy transition and drive domestic and export revenues when developed.

“We announce the decision to divest the Group’s interest in the Ubima marginal field for a consideration of $55million, which marginally reduces the company’s 2P reserves by 2 MMboe to 455 MMboe.

“We have proven we have the financial strength and credibility to attract international finance into Nigeria’s energy sector and this will help us in our aim to deliver energy transition and provide cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy for Nigeria’s young and growing population.”

Seplat Energy Plc, leading indigenous energy company and its partners, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), have awarded certificates to a total of 220 comprising 214 teachers and 6 Chief Inspectors of Education in Edo and Delta States under the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP). This is the second edition of the progrmme, which is aimed at improving the standard of education in Nigeria especially Seplat Energy’s host states and communities.

Over the years, Seplat Energy had made significant impacts with critical initiatives focused on providing quality education for states of its operations and the country. To consolidate its achievements on Sustainability Development Goal 4 for inclusive and equitable quality education, the Company introduced STEP, a customized training programme for secondary school teachers. STEP is a three-month intensive training programme that equips teachers with tools to teach STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

The Company introduced the STEAM model of learning to secondary schools in Delta and Edo States in order to promote creative thinking, allow for higher student engagement, and offer a well-rounded education. Where STEAM are equal contributors to the process of learning.

In September 2021, the 220 certificate awardees from Delta and Edo States began their training with an initial five-day residential retreat. After that, they continued training via the E-Learning platform developed for the programme.

To commemorate the certificate presentation ceremony held on March 17, 2022, Seplat Energy hosted The Seplat JV Education Roundtable themed: Harnessing the Role of Technology In Nigeria’s Education Sector.

The STEP Certificate Awards Ceremony took place in Benin City, Edo State, alongside the Seplat Education Roundtable, which had educational experts and professionals in a highly engaging panel session. The keynote speaker for the day was Prof. Fabian Ajogwu SAN, an Independent Non-Executive Director at Seplat Energy.

The Honorable Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, one of the special guest of honour, was ably represented by Mrs. Muna Onuzo-Adetona, a Special Adviser to the minister.

The panelists comprised Mr. Yinka Akibu of the United Nations Development Programme; Mr. Kehinde Osinaike of the Federal Ministry of Education; Hon. Sijuade Idowu Tiamiyu of the State Universal Basic Education Board Lagos State; and Ini Abimbola of the Association of Sustainability Professionals of Nigeria. The session was moderated by Dr. (Hon) Mories Atoki.

Also present were His Excellency, Rt. Hon.Comrade Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor, Edo State; and Dr. Joan Oviawe. Hon. Commissioner for Education, Edo State.

In his address, Prof. Ajogwu said: “Education is a collective responsibility. What Seplat Energy is doing is noble and commendable. It is supported by both Edo and Delta state governments. These states should be model states that should be emulated. Other corporates should also be invited to do the same. Spending on education gives us future returns than subsiding consumption.

“Seplat Energy believes that empowering teachers is the first point to awakening education and education has a cost. What we have done is to take part of that cost. The Govt has a role to play as well as other organisations and stakeholders. We should acknowledge this cost and invest in it” Education has a cost, and Seplat energy has written the cheque”.

According to the Edo State Deputy Governor, “Education via technology will promote children to be global competitors, and this can only happen through adequate knowledge of technology. I congratulate Seplat Energy on this initiative and Edo State will continue to partner with the company on education.”

In her remarks, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, said: “The STEP programme is important because it plays a key role in the socio-economic growth of the country. It supports the attainment of Quality education which is #SGD4. The objective is to take STEAM education to the teachers. We encourage the teachers to transmit their experience with this programme to other colleagues in the sector and the students who are Nigeria’s future.”

“Seplat Energy takes the STEP initiative seriously. This year we have trained over 200 teachers and state CIEs. The programme is designed to ensure monitoring and evaluation of the teachers even after the training and graduation. This ensures sustainability of the programme,” the Seplat Energy Director of External Affairs and Sustainability added.

In her remarks, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe said the State is thrilled to partner with Seplat Energy on education, adding that: “We are excited by what Seplat Energy is doing for teachers and thank the company for its CSR impact in the educational sector an other sectors. Edo state is taking the lead in technology intervention in education in Nigeria with initiatives like this and the The EdoBEST programme.”

The objectives of STEP are to: To train secondary school teachers on skills, innovations, and technologies for deploying STEAM to deliver tutelage better to the students; provide and connect teachers to a collection of STEAM resources to enable them to understand, apply and innovate; and provide schools with resources to enable them to provide the right environment for STEAM implementation to enable students engage in the interdisciplinary nature of STEAM.

STEP which is an annual programme, starts with a five-day residential workshop which provided leadership and self-improvement training, training on STEAM modules and its application to teaching. The teachers were also provided with STEAM gadgets and Apps to support their delivery of quality teaching in our host states. Of the teachers empowered, 75% are from public schools while 25% are from private schools.

The Ministry of Education Delta and Edo States and the Ministry of Science and Technology Edo State are both very excited by the programme because of the multiplier effect it will have in secondary education and have indicated their unwavering support for the programme.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has promised to restore sanity in the supply and distribution of quality Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol across the country within a short period.

The Chief Executive Officer/ Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari made the pledge at the end of a meeting with some oil marketers to resolve the issues generated by the recent supply and discharge of methanol blended petrol in some Nigerian depots.

Kyari emphasized that defaulting suppliers have been put on notice for remedial actions and NNPC is working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA) to take necessary actions in line with subsisting regulations.

Providing a graphic chronicle of the unfortunate incident, the NNPC CEO said that on 20th January 2022,the company received a report from its quality inspector on the presence of emulsion particles in PMS cargoes shipped to Nigeria from Antwerp-Belgium.

He explained that NNPC investigation revealed the presence of Methanol in four PMS cargoes imported by the following Direct-Sale-Direct-Purchase (DSDP) suppliers as listed in the table below.

Importer Vessel Name Load Port
1 MRS — MT Bow Pioneers — LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium

2 Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium —- MT Tom Hilde – LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium

3 Oando MT Elka Apollon —LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium

4 Duke Oil —- MT Nord Gainer —LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium

He noted that cargoes quality certificates issued at loadport (Antwerp-Belgium) by AmSpec Belgium indicated that the gasoline complied with Nigerian Specification.

“The NNPC quality inspectors including GMO, SGS, GeoChem and G&G conducted tests before discharge also showed that the gasoline met Nigerian specification,’’ he said.

Kyari noted that as a standard practice for all PMS import to Nigeria, the said cargoes were equally certified by inspection agent appointed by the NMDRA.

“It is important to note that the usual quality inspection protocol employed in both the load port in Belgium and our discharge ports in Nigeria do not include the test for Percent methanol content and therefore the additive was not detected by our quality inspectors’’ he stated . .

However, in order to prevent the distribution of the petrol, the NNPC CEO said the company promptly ordered the quarantine of all un-evacuated volumes and the holding back of all the affected products in transit (both truck & marine).

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited posted a total of $224.29million receipt from crude oil and gas export in August 2021 as against $191.26million in July 2021.
A breakdown of the figures captured in the August 2021 NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR) indicates that export of crude oil amounted to $7.77million while gas and miscellaneous receipts stood at $65.26 million and $151.26million respectively.
Total crude oil and gas export receipt for the period of August 2020 to August 2021 stood at $1.84billion.

In the Gas Sector, a total of 233.57billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas was produced in the month of August 2021 translating to an average daily production of 7,534.67million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).

For the period of August 2020 to August 2021, a total of 2,890.67bcf of gas was produced representing an average daily production of 7,303.61mmscfd during the period.

Period-to-date production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) contributed about 57.51%, 20.88% and 21.62% respectively to the total national gas production.

The report also indicates that out of the 208.64bcf of gas supplied in August 2021, a total of 131.35bcf was commercialized, consisting of 40.22bcf and 91.13bcf for the domestic and export markets respectively.
This translates to an average total supply of 1,297.54mmscfd to the domestic market and 2,939.31mmscfd of gas to the export market for the month.
Total gas supply for the period of August 2020 to August 2021 stood at 2,792.28bcf out of which 537.51bcf and 1,245.93bcf were commercialized for the domestic and export markets respectively.

In the Downstream Sector, a total of 1.532billion litres of white products were sold and distributed by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a downstream subsidiary of the NNPC, in the month of August 2021.

A breakdown of the figure indicates that petrol accounted for 99% of total sales, while Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, accounted for the rest.

Total sale of white products for the period of August 2020 to August 2021 stood at 20.032billion with petrol accounting for 99.81%.

In terms of value, a total sum of ₦203.43billion was made on the sale of white products by PPMC in the month of August 2021.

Total revenues generated from the sales of white products for the period of August 2020 to August 2021 stood at ₦2.619trillion with petrol contributing about 99.76% of the total sales with a value of ₦2.613trillion.

In August 2021, 21 pipeline points were vandalized representing 50% decrease from the 42 points recorded in July 2021.
According to the report, Port Harcourt area accounted for 10%, while Mosimi Area accounted for 90% of the vandalized points.
The August 2021 MFOR, the 73rd in the series, highlights NNPC’s activities for the period of August 2020 to August 2021.
In line with the Company’s commitment to the principles of accountability, transparency and performance excellence, the NNPC Ltd. has continued to sustain effective communication with stakeholders through the publication of the MFOR on its website, in national dailies, and on independent online news platforms.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA) (The Authority) is alerting the general public that – limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as Petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the supply chain.

Methanol is a regular additive in Petrol and usually blended in an acceptable quantity.

To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit

A statement issued by NMDPRA, says its technical team in conjunction with NNPC Ltd and other industry stakeholders, will continue to monitor and ensure quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide.

The source supplier the statement further revealed has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the Authority and NNPC Ltd.

NNPC Ltd and all Oil Marketing Companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of Petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.

Meanwhile, NNPC has intensified efforts at increasing the supply of Petrol into the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap.

 

As the Federal Government commenced full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in earnest, the new legislation has been tipped to provide business opportunities that will enable the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) earn more revenue for the country.
 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mallam Mele Kyari disclosed this while addressing staff of the organisation in a townhall meeting held at the NNPC Towers, at the weekend, with staff outside the Corporate Headquarters (CHQ) participating virtually.
 
Highlighting the significance of the PIA to the NNPC and by extension the Nigerian economy, Mallam Kyari said the new legislation has raised shareholders’ expectations on the company, even as it has given it a wide room to make progress.
 
According to the CEO, the PIA had put “all money-making options on the table; it is up to us to take advantage of it”.
 
He said as a result of the new legislation, NNPC Ltd would not only shed some of its toxic liabilities but will be the largest and most capitalised company in the whole of Africa and, potentially, the most profitable on the entire continent.
 
The CEO charged employees of the organisation to ensure the company becomes a commercially viable entity and a multi-billion-dollar company that will continuously deliver value to its shareholders–the over two hundred million Nigerians.
 

 

Ardova Plc recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the ongoing construction of its new world-class Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility at the company’s Ijora-Lagos Campus. The LPG facility which will sit on 8.8 hectares and have a combined storage capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes, underscores Ardova’s commitment to grow revenues from cleaner fuels. Olumide Adeosun, Chief Executive Officer, Ardova Plc, said “This event marks an important step in our evolution to an integrated energy company, as it draws us closer to our projection of a future where renewables and cleaner fuels represent a considerable segment of our product offering and balance sheet.” Mr. Adeosun also noted that “This facility, when completed will be West Africa’s largest LPG storage complex, placing Ardova at the top of the industry in receiving, blending, storing, and distributing the product to both commercial and retail customers. It also indicates the direction of travel for our company, as it spotlights our confidence in LPG as the fuel of the future in Nigeria, in congruence with both the Nigerian government’s gas expansion plan which seeks to make LPG mainstream at the end of the decade and the present growing rate of in-country consumer adoption of the product. Ardova’s investment in this facility supersedes the expected commercial returns, as the company is equally focused on the positive environmental and human impact that increased access to gas will create.
Mr. Adeosun noted that “We are also particularly interested in the improved socio-economic prospects it portends for citizens of our beloved country, especially rural consumers whose reliance on biomass such as firewood makes them vulnerable to attendant health risks and reduces much needed ground cover provided by trees at alarming speed.” Mr. Adeosun added that “By December 2022, when construction is completed, we will have a facility that will be both best in class and future ready. The firms involved in the construction, fabrication, and sourcing of every single component to be used in this project have been benchmarked against the highest standards of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) management, as well as Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) specifications. I am confident that we will deliver a world class facility that will continue to yield results for the company in decades to come.”