The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Coporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru on Thursday commissioned the Egbaoma Gas Processing Plant (EGPP) located at Ebedei, Ukwuani council area of Delta State.
Speaking at the occasion, the NNPC GMD commended efforts of the stakeholders, Board of Directors, Management and entire staff of PNG Gas Limited, promoters of the gas plant, for their commitment and confidence in the area of Natural Gas Development in Nigeria.
He said the development of the gas plant fits squarely into the Federal Government’s gas aspirations of using gas as an enabler for energy independence, industrial development, commerce and environmental and social sustainability.
“I understand that this plant is the only onshore third-party has extraction and fractionation plant of its kind in Nigeria today. This plant is a hallmark of Nigerian engineering prowess and local content,” Baru said.
He reiterated NNPC’s commitment to the Federal Government’s aspirations as expressed in the gas policy, environment policy and domestic gas utilisation policy.
The NNPC GMD who was taken round the facilities of the plant said the new Flare Gas (Prevention of waste and pollution) Regulation 2018, was aimed at reducing the environmental and social impact caused by natural gas flaring, protect the environment, prevent waste of natural resources and the creation of social and economic benefits from gas flare capture.
He said, “NNPC today is pursuing aggressive growth in domestic gas supply capacity from the current 1.7bscfd to 5bscfd in the medium term. This growth is anticipated to come from the seven critical gas development projects.
“In parallel with the supply growth, the gas pipeline infrastructure network supports system is equally being expanded. This expansion includes the Obiafu-Obrikom to Oben (OB3) gas pipeline which is less than 5km to this auspicious Egbaoma Gas Plant and can serve as a major evacuation artery is the dry gas produced from this plant to the market.”
Baru revealed that the OB3 was expected to be completed by end of the second quarter of this year.
“We are aware that within 50km from this processing plant and the OB3 pipeline we have proven reserves of 1Tcf from Newcross Petroluem, Pillar Oil, Chorus Energy and Summit Oil, can support a 150mmscfd gas processing hub,” he said.
Baru, therefore urged operators whose assets are at close proximity to the gas plant and the OB3 pipeline to seize the opportunity presented by the plant to collaborate with PNG Gas Limited to supply gas to maximise the plant capacity, access and commercialise all existing flares and further develop the significant gas reserves of 1Tcf in the areas.
He said the OB3 pipeline initiative was the beginning of an end to the last mile of gas flaring in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Chairman, Owei-Linkso, promoter of the Gas Train and a Director in PNG Gas Limited, Charles Osezua, said the company invested about 60 million dollars into the gas plant about five years ago.
Osezua added the establishment of the plant was an evidence of Nigeria’s engineering success, saying that since it became operational it has produced 35, 000 Metric Tonnes of gas for Nigerian domestic market in addition to achieving an excellent health, Safety and Environment performance of about 1.44 million Lost Time Incident.
He lamented that out of the about 30 million standard cubic feet of gas processed daily by the plant, about 25 million of that amount was still been flared, stressing that what was being flared everyday has the capacity to generate over 100 mega watts of electricity.
Francis Sadhere, Warri
