Baker Hughes, a global oil and gas conglomerate, has committed to investing in Nigerian refineries, as well as participating in the forthcoming bid round for marginal oil fields in Nigeria.
Baker Hughes company, headquartered in Houston, US, is one of the world’s largest oil field services companies operating in over 120 countries.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (Oil), engaged the Chairman/President of Baker Hughes, Lorenzo Simonelli, at a meeting on the sidelines of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates.
Nneamaka Okafor, special adviser to the petroleum minister on media and communications, said in a statement issued in Abuja that during the meeting, Baker Hughes “expressed keen interest in sustaining and enhancing their investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, including the readiness to invest in refineries.”
Simonelli reiterated his company’s commitment to contributing to the energy transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
Read also: Sirius Petroleum signs agreement with Baker Hughes for development of Nigerian oil bloc
“Nigeria is a blessed nation with vast potentials and great opportunities in diverse sectors. As a partner with the Federal Government over the years, we are inspired to direct investment in the refinery domain of oil and gas. Therefore, whatever we can do to support to get started, I am willing to do that even now,” he said.
In addition to highlighting the critical position that Nigeria plays in the global energy scene, Simonelli emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships in fostering significant advancement.
In response, Lokpobiri stated that Baker Hughes’ action will support Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its production of gas and oil as well as its domestic processing of crude oil.
Read also: Baker Hughes November rig count shows marginal recovery for Africa
The minister emphasized the company’s accomplishments over the years and voiced hope for strengthening the partnership with more funding for the country’s oil and gas sector.
Assuring the Baker Hughes delegation that sufficient steps would be taken to enable the smooth realization of Baker Hughes’ investment plans, he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering investments in the refinery industry.
“I am very happy that you have joined other companies in identifying the great opportunities and government’s favourable policies in our oil and gas sector and with the advent of the PIA (Petroleum Industry Act), we now have a workable framework that guarantees a conducive environment for investment,” Lokpobiri said.
The three refineries in Nigeria—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna—have been idle for many years, but restoration efforts are currently underway at the sites since Port Harcourt is scheduled to reopen by the end of this month.
