Navy destroyed illegal refineries with 8,000 metric tons of crude oil in Delta communities

‎Navy destroyed illegal refineries with over 8,000 metric tons of crude oil in Delta State

*48 underground reservoirs, ‎200 metric tons of diesel destroyed too

* arrest five truck loads of refined product

*communities to forfeit lands use for illegal operations 

WARRI - THE Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta on Wednesday destroyed 48 (50 X50) underground storage reservoirs, several thousand drums, 8,000 metric tons of crude oil and 200 metric tons of refined Automotive Ga‎soline Oil (Diesel) in Warri South and Warri South West areas of Delta state, in its bid to end illegal oil bunkering in the area.

The feat was achieved in a twin operations coordinated by Commodore Raimi O. Mohammed, Commanding Officer, NNS Delta using new approach.

The operation which lasted almost a full day led to destruction of unquantifiable numbers of refining camps, crude oil, refined products, hoses, generating sets, pumping machines, very large surface and underground tanks in an area stretching over one kilometre behind Bennett Island.

Illegal refining camp touted as 'refining depot' with its refining accessories, huge underground reservoirs, surfaced tanks and drums in area stretching over a kilometre at Kantu community in Warri South West were also destroyed.

According to Mohammed, "We have been destroying illegal refineries but they keep springing up. The communities should  share in the blame because they know the perpetrators.

"When we will file our reports, our suggestion to the federal government will be that any land use for illegal refineries be forfeited to the government as it appears the communities don't need the lands hence they allowed it to be destroyed.

"We had a meeting with 38 communities representatives from Warri South and Warri South West with a view to stemming the tide, if they refused to comply they will stand a chance of losing such lands. 

"We have put in place measures that our men don't collude with the operators. In the past, we have arrested some members of task force and vigilante who colluded with them."

The Commanding Officer revealed that the new strategy is to stop the supply and demand of illegally refined products.

 

"Navy is determined that whoever is involved in the illegality will be arrested. We have shifted attention also to arresting those with refined products also.

"We have arrested five trailers loaded with refined products. We are tackling the supply and demand ends." 

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Okerenkoko deny media reoprt calling on EFCC to investigate Tompolo

By Akpokona Omafuaire

WARRI – THE Okerenkoko Federated Communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Council Area of Delta State has denied and rubbished media reports credited to it in the national and online media, as calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo over sale of community land.

In a statement signed by Chief James Tangbowei, Chairman, Mr. Monday Meyefa, Vice Chairman, Comrade Ernest Bebenimibo, Secretary, Joel Ekpebide, P.R.O the community insisted that they neither spoke nor mandated anyone to speak for them.

The statement which read, “Our attention has been drawn to various newspapers reports, the Paradigm, Vanguard etc with caption, ‘N13b Varsity land: Okerenkoko leaders back EFCC to probe Tompolo’ with a rider, ‘We got only N360 for the land’ which was credited to Michael Johnny.

“We make bold to say that the author had no backing of leadership of the community, neither was he mandated to speak for the community. He can speak for himself as an individual but not for the community.

“Again, it is very unfortunate that the author does not know the crux of Tompolo’s invitation by EFCC as it has nothing to do with the community land acquisition for the permanent site of the University. The acquisition of the permanent site was concluded amicably and even the author got his fare share from the sale.

“To educate the author and the general public, Tompolo’s invitation has nothing to do with sale of community land but the sale of his vastly developed personal property at Kurutie community which he had built for his Diving school which was legally acquired by the Federal Government as a take-off campus of the school.

“The property in question from our enquiry was valued at N15billion but was sold for N13billion after bargains and was perfected and signed by authorities of the federal government. So those who have personal vendetta and scores to settle with the High Chief should distance the community name in such frolic. 

"Because of the misinformation that is being peddled, our community account has also been frozen, we wonder why the EFCC should embark on an unnecessary war against us. this surely is the handiwork of our enemies but we shall remain peaceful.

“Tompolo is our hero and an illustrious son in whom we are proud. His battle for emancipation of the Ijaw nation against the marginalization by the federal is well known. We warn his persecutors should tread with caution and not drag the name of the community and kingdom into mud.”

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Chevron and total struggle for third place

Chevron struggles with TOTAL for the third place Relative size of operatorship does not always match equity share

ExxonMobil’s not just the largest equity crude producer in Nigeria; it has moved to tie up with Shell in operated production. This is official; the data was shared by Victor Adeniran, Group Executive Director of Commercial and Investment Division in the state hydrocarbon company, NNPC, at a conference of petroleum  geologists in Lagos recently.

ExxonMobil and Shell accounted for 27% each of the country’s operated production in 20114, Mr. Adeniran, a former General Manager at TOTAL, showed. ExxonMobil moved slightly up from 26% of operated production in 2007; whereas Shell’s share as operator plunged from 34% in the same seven year period, to 27%, due, predictably, to the various divestments. In the same period, operated production of Nigerian independents surged from 1% to 10%, NNPC data indicates.

Chevron’s contribution as an operator fell from 16% to 11%, just as TOTAL inched up by one percentage point, to11%.

Italian giant ENI brings up the rear of the majors in Nigeria, as an operator.

The data projects that Nigerian independents share of operatorship will treble by 2020, to 30%.

Still, a company’s share of operatorship does not translate to actual share of equity production, which is the real value, as it is determines the volume of crude oil it is entitled to lift. Last April, this website reported that ExxonMobil’s net crude oil output in Nigeria in 2014 averaged 298,000BOPD, the highest liquid hydrocarbon volume credited to a single company in the country. Chevron came second with 240,000BOPD, more than half of which was delivered by a single oil field: Agbami.

Shell’s Nigerian crude oil production, at 191,000BOPD net, was the third largest daily crude oil output by any major company. TOTAL is the fourth at 156, 164BOPD. The figures are all from the companies’ just released annual reports.  These figures exclude natural gas production.

Utorogun gas plant yet to produce any gas

Those hoping that Utorogun gas plant will start working should hope longer.

Despite Nigeria having a brand new gas processing plant capable of processing one hundred and fifty million standard cubic feet of gas per day (150MMscf/d). But not a single molecule of natural gas has been introduced into the facility.
When it comes on stream, the Utorogu NAG 2 Plant will be the second gas processing plant to be commissioned in the country in 2015. With Seplat’s 150MMscf/d plant hooked up in February 2015, Nigeria has added 300MMscf/d of gas processing capacity in the last eight months.

But capacity does not always translate to actual delivery, especially in the Nigerian energy sector. The new train has not been hooked up yet so it is not processing any gas. Utorogu NAG 1, the first plant in Utorogu, a gas rich field in the Western Niger Basin, was designed to process over 400MMscf/d. In August 2015, its output was 297MMscf/d, or less than 75% of capacity.

Frontier Oil/Seven Energy’s Esit Plant in Eket in the southeastern Niger Delta has the capacity for 200MMscf/d. In August 2015, its output was less than 100MMscf/d, largely because there were not enough offtakers; even though three power plants in the neighbourhood have the capacity to absorb the entire volume, not all their turbines are being fired. The reasons for power shortfall in Nigeria are as much about idle capacity as they are about inadequate infrastructure.

Sources at the NPDC, the state hydrocarbon company which operates the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 34, in which the Utorogu field is located, say the delay in hook up is  due to some operational challenges, but the entire work will be through by October 10 2015.  “That’s the current schedule”, the sources  explain, adding “We have the capacity to deliver more gas than offtake”

How to build Nigeria oil and gas

Upstream West Africa Summit holds April

Upstream West Africa Summit 2016

11-13 April

Sofitel Abidjan Hotel in Cote D'Ivoire.

Hosted by Vale Media Group, The Sub Saharan Africa focused Oil, Gas, Power & Mining B2B Events Company

Building on the success of this year's Summit Vale Media Group (VMG) are ramping up now for next year's gathering which is set to be bigger and better. Natalie Stone, Events & Marketing Manager of VMG stated ''we are anticipating a high demand for this event, despite the current oil prices, West Africa offers somewhat of an oasis in the global O&G sector with regional projects moving ahead with high scale investments from the IOC's. Countries in focus for next year's event include Mauritania, Senegal, Cte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, and will be represented by Ministry, IOC, NOC & Indigenous O&G companies."

The 2016 Upstream West Africa Summit will offer an opportunity which transcends the traditional exhibition and trade show with a unique agenda in respect to discussing some of the hot topics, trends and challenges that are facing the Upstream Oil & Gas Industry. The event programme comprises the most effective business platforms consisting of Workshops, Keynote Panel Discussions, Roundtables, Networking Sessions and 1-2-1 Business Meetings.

VMG are offering a number of speaking opportunities at the Summit for industry leaders and professionals where they can present their expertise in topics such as Well Intervention, Process Automation & Process Control: LNG & FPSO, Exploration: G&G Developments and ESP Developments and many more.

To gain access to the 2016 Upstream West Africa Summit you will need to register your interest early so please get in contact by emailing: natalie.stone@valemediagroup.com.

We are currently calling for papers for the gathering therefore to discuss a potential topic please submit your papers by the 18th of January 2016.

"Discovery, Development & Maximising Deepwater Assets in West Africa"

Who will attend:

Ministries

National Oil Companies (NOC)

International Oil Companies (IOC)

Regulatory Bodies. Ministers

Presidents

Managing Directors

Regional Vice Presidents

Country Managers

Summit Topics:

FPSO: The Perfect Solution for Deepwater Developments

Exploration: G&G Technology Developments

Near Field Exploration for Reserve Replacement

Deepwater Subsea Well Intervention

Managed Pressure Drilling - Unlocking the Cretaceous Potential of the West Africa Transformation Margin

Upstream Software Solutions for Deepwater Production

Asset Updates - Mauritania / Senegal / Cote D'ivoire / Ghana / Nigeria

Licencing Rounds

Wireless Completions

EPCM - Tackling Mega Projects & Non Technical Risks

Tanzania International Forum For Investments hold March

Tanzania International Forum For Investments, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

9-11 March 2016

Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre

The Tanzania International Forum For Investments (Supported and endorsed by the Tanzania Investment Centre and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation) is scheduled to take place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam.

With confirmed participation from global investors and funding institutions in control of more than US$200 billion, the Tanzania International Investment Forum For Investments is set out to be the largest gathering of international investors in Tanzania.

In addition, an exhibition is planned to take place on the side-lines of the Forum.

For further details on the Forum, please refer to the forum website www.tziforum.com 

Offshore West Africa conference holds January in Lagos

Offshore West Africa

We are pleased to announce that the 20th annual Offshore West Africa will return to Lagos, Nigeria on 26-28 January 2016, delivering the premier technical forum focused exclusively on West African offshore exploration and production.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Offshore West Africa conference and exhibition will yet again provide a platform for technology exchange and new business development. Offshore West Africa is the region's premier technical forum focused exclusively on West Africa's offshore Oil and Gas market, attracting over 3,500 industry professionals over the 3 days of the event.

Providing an exclusive source of information for 20 years, Offshore West Africa 2016 will showcase the most innovative technologies and ground-breaking solutions within the deepwater exploration and production industry. Combining both a high-quality conference and rich exhibition of services and equipment, Offshore West Africa offers a unique insight into this exciting and progressive marketplace.

Offshore West Africa is a unique annual forum for the industry, with both a world class conference combined with the exhibition showcasing the latest technological developments. This truly West African event attracts senior decision makers, enabling you to make crucial contacts within the industry.

About 90 percent oil revenue collected by Nigerian government from JV arrangement

Chevron commits N16billion to GMoU in Nigeria

ASABA ­– CHEVRON Nigeria Limited, CNL, has committed over N16 billion in its Global Memorandun of Understanding, GMoU for the past ten year in its operational areas in Nigeria which has led to improved relationship with host communities.

This was revealed Friday during the two day Media Capacity Building for Journalists organized by NNPC/Chevron joint venture yesterday in Asaba, Delta State.

Olatunji Idowu, Manager, Social Performance and Planning, CNL, made the revelation during his lecture on 10 years of GMoU – Chevron CE strategy in the Niger Delta.

He stated that the policy is aimed at the placing more emphasis on projects and programs that will enhance sustainable economic empowerment, employment generation and alightment with the sustainable development goals.

On her part, Mrs. Clementina Arubi, Deputy Manager, Community Development ‘B’ of the Public Affairs Department, PAD, NNPC-NAPIMS calls for joint efforts in curbing the hydra-headed monster of pipeline vandalism which has become a recurring decimal in the oil industry.

Arubi made the call in her lecture titled “Securing the operational environment and eliminating oil theft and pipeline sabotage.”

According to her there have been 2005 breakages of pipeline between January to September, this year alone.

The Deputy Manager lamented that between 2009 and 2011, 136million barrel worth of 10.9billion dollar was lost to crude oil theft and pipeline sabotage.

She listed some practical ways of eliminating oil theft and pipeline sabotage to include; continuous education, sensitization and creation of awareness of the communities on the dangers of vandalism, continuous monitoring of the pipelines and more improved skill acquisition programme.

The Manager, Offshore Assets- Chevron Nigeria Limited, James Okereke, called for increased funding of the joint venture to be able to remain competitive in the long haul, insisting that the lack of which will discourage investors in committing to further investment which is needed to drive the oil sector.

Okereke lamented that while production of crude oil is increasing globally, Nigeria production is declining steadily. He assured that despite the gloomy situation, Chevron Nigeria Limited is in the country to continue oil business backed with large oil and gas reserve base and technology to unlock the potentials.

He noted that there has been a drastic drop in the national revenue generation owing to geometric drop in the price of crude oil which was occasioned by increase in global crude oil supply amidst diminishing demand.

Okereke further said that to keep production stable, new developments and investment are needed to offset the natural decline.

The company also tasked journalists on serious investigative reporting, insisting that its the hallmark of their responsibility to the country.

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Delta State university uncovers cultists recruitment technique

By Akpokona Omafuaire

WARRI - ‎THE Delta State University authority has uncover a subtle recruitment method by cult groups in the institution with sales of pamphlets called the Anchor.

It also refuted a publication allegedly sponsored by a group, Deltans United against cultism against the institution in banning the sale of Anchor pamphlet in the school, saying it was to mislead the public.

This revelation was conta‎ined in a statement by the University Public Relations Officer, Mr. Edward Agburen yesterday.

Agburen stated that the school authority made the startling findings after a student of the institution had cried to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode of the threats to his life for failing to help them sell the pamphlets.

The University Image maker said that the authority promptly banned  the sale of the pamphlet and swoop on the group in which one the suspected cultists was arrested who has helped with relevant confessions.

He added that in a fight back, the group embarked on a media campaign of calumny to deceive the public.

According to him, ‎"The attention of the authorities of the Delta State University, Abraka, has been drawn to a misleading publication at page 38 of the Wednesday December 9 edition of the Vanguard newspaper . 

"The intention of this rejoinder is to enlighten the general public and put the lie to the claim by the shadowy group called Deltans United against Cultism that sponsored the publication.

"It should be stated categorically, that the pamphlet in contention, the Anchor, has become a smokescreen which cultists and other nefarious elements use in not only initiating unsuspecting students into cultism, but also in robbing others of money and valuable items. 

"The university management has been inundated with complaints in recent times about how cultists have taken over the promotion and sale of the Anchor and in so doing lure innocent students into their evil fold. 

"A very recent occurrence exposed the bad intention of the elements behind the sale of the Anchor on campus.

"On the 29th of October 2015, a fresh student cried to the Vice Chancellor’s office to narrate his ordeal in the hands of cultists who were intimidating and recruiting new students in the guise of selling the Anchor. 

"The modus operandi of the cultists was to sell the pamphlet and give some pro-cult pep talk to the new students as well as give them certain numbers to call at a particular time. 

"They also extorted money and other value items from the new students after which they were warned not to disclose what transpired with the threat of dire consequences should they do so.

"The Vice Chancellor, after listening to the shocking story as told by the fresh student, summoned the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and other security agents and raided the spot where the Anchor was being sold. 

"The perpetrators of the nefarious act on sighting the VC’s convoy took to their heels in different directions. However, a hot chase by the security agents led to the arrest of one of them, Wisdom Ovie a 200 Level student with matriculation number FOE/13/14/226121. 

"Mr. Ovie made very useful confessions to the security agents confirming the use of the sale of the Anchor as a strategy for recruitment of new cultists as well as extortion of money and theft of valuable items from unsuspecting students.

"It is against this background and after investigation that the university management placed a ban on the sale of the Anchor since it has become a veritable means of initiation into cultism, an act that runs against the grain and the intention of the author.

"The University management wishes to state that it has taken proactive measures to curb cultism beyond the mere purchase and possession of the Anchor. 

"The Department of Guidance and Counselling, the Faculty of the Social Sciences, the Counselling Centre and religious bodies on campus are now better primed to curb the menace of cultism.

"We urge the Vanguard newspapers and other news media to always cross check reports about the University from the relevant office so that the general public will not be misguided as the sponsors of the publication set out to do."

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