The Board of Directors and Management of Nigeria LNG Limited paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

During the visit, Chairman, NLNG Board, HRM King Edmund Daukoru, CON, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support in bolstering Nigeria’s position in the global energy landscape. He acknowledged the crucial role NLNG has played in Nigeria’s economy, noting the need for government support in resolving some challenges the Company is presently facing.

Speaking at the visit, the MD/CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, stated that since inception, NLNG has contributed enormous revenue to the government through dividends and taxes, noting that the FIRS declared the Company as the largest tax-paying Company in 2022.

Mshelbila also emphasised that NLNG’s Domestic LPG (DLPG) Scheme has guaranteed LPG supply, availability, and affordability and has also stimulated the development of different parts of the DLPG value chain in Nigeria, with 100% of produced LPG volumes from NLNG dedicated to the domestic market, supplying about 40% of Nigeria’s domestic LPG demand.

He stressed that challenges around pipeline vandalisation have constrained NLNG’s production with consequent loss of revenue to the government. Besides, multiple taxation from various government agencies and the Finance Act, which is being amended yearly, distorts corporate planning and puts business on the back foot, stifling investor confidence and investment opportunities in the sector.

President Tinubu, in his response, thanked NLNG for the visit and commended NLNG for its steadfast commitment to excellence and immense contributions to the GDP, acknowledging the critical role the Company plays in Nigeria’s economy.

Tinubu affirmed the importance of Gas not just as a transition fuel but also as the fuel for the future, assuring that the Gas Sector would get priority attention in this administration. He assured the Board that all encumbrances to the progress and development of Nigeria’s industrial citizens as well as any further impediment to the business practice in the oil and gas sector would be swiftly removed.

President Tinubu emphasised that for the oil and gas industry to thrive, all stakeholders in the value chain, especially the host communities, need to be engaged and carried along to enable the government to build confidence and trust. He urged the Board and Management of NLNG to continue to collaborate with the government to ensure that issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently while reiterating his administration’s commitment to ensuring that businesses thrive to generate economic prosperity and sustainable development.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has stated that the operation at its plant on Bonny Island is ongoing, despite a Force Majeure that is still in effect.

It said that the Force Majeure, caused by the unavailability of major liquids evacuation pipelines, was due to acts of sabotage and vandalism and had not halted the overall operations of the company.

The company’s attention was drawn to a report on 17th August 2023 titled “NLNG prolonged shutdown threatens gas production,” published in one of the national newspapers.

NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Andy Odeh, disclosed this in a statement on Friday 18 August 2023.

“Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) states that the report is false and misleading.”

“NLNG reiterates that operation at its plant on Bonny Island is still active despite a Force Majeure, which still subsists due to the unavailability of upstream gas suppliers’ major liquids evacuation pipelines occasioned by sabotage and vandalism.

“The plant continues to produce LNG and LPG commensurate to the feed gas it receives from its upstream gas suppliers. Its cargo loading operation also continues without interruption. The latest cargo from the Bonny plant sailed on 17^th August 2023 to the St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, carrying 140,000 M3 of LNG.

“NLNG remains committed to collaborating with key stakeholders to minimise the impact of the consequent gas supply shortage.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Seplat Energy has provided an update to the previous announcement regarding the incident involving the Majestic rig.

Contrary to some media reports, the Majestic rig is owned by Depthwize Nigeria Limited and not Seplat.  As stated in our previous announcement, the rig was in transit to its next drill location at Ovhor. Seplat is the operator of OMLs 4, 38 & 41 on behalf of the NNPCEPL/SEPLAT Joint Venture.

Seplat Energy alongside Depthwize, is continuing the search for the 3 missing crew members. Divers and other emergency services are on-site, and as of 9:00 am, the missing crew members remain unaccounted for.

Of the other 92 crew members, 10 were admitted to the hospital and stayed overnight. The company said the 10 crew members have all now been discharged from the hospital. Seplat continues to support Depthwize with the emergency response and rescue efforts continue, with the priority being the search and rescue of the 3 missing crew members.

Depthwize has notified Seplat that the single recorded fatality was a British national. The families of the deceased and the 3 missing crew members have been informed by Depthwize.

Seplat has notified the authorities of the incident and continues to comply with all regulatory requirements.