The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC) in the Republic of Ghana has rebranded to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), after two decades of existence and championing policy reforms and operational practices through collaboration with key stakeholders.
Since its formation, AOMC has gone through leadership transition and it is currently being led by Dr. Riverson Oppong, a petroleum engineer and economist.
He assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in April 2024 after the retirement of the late Kwaku Agyemang-Duah who held the position for 10 years.
Dr. Riverson believes that the Association should be rebranded to meet the changes in the energy industry in order to amplify visibility, strengthen advocacy and position the organisation as a formidable leader in Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry.
He told this portal at the Alisa Hotel in Accra last week that the rebranding of AOMC to COMAC is not a change in identity but rather a change towards maximising “our efforts that we have showcased for the past years.”
He said the rebranded entity would channel its efforts towards stakeholder engagement, advocacy and championing the industry performance of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and making sure that standards and regulations are adhered to.
He added that COMAC would enter into strategic partnerships and introduce downstream dialogue to engage CEOs and managing directors of OMCs to find solutions to problems in the industry.
“As we step into a new era as COMAC, I want to assure you that we remain steadfast in our commitment to the vision and mission you so diligently crafted. Our roots will never be forgotten; instead, they will serve as the compass that guides us forward into a future of continued growth and excellence,” he said.
The CEO reiterated that the word ‘Chamber’ evokes professionalism, unity and credibility, which are qualities that align seamlessly with the mission to fuel Ghana’s future while empowering the people.
The Minister of State for Energy, Herbert Krapa, in a speech delivered on his behalf, commended the chamber’s commitment to sustainable growth and its pivotal role in shaping the downstream petroleum industry.
Besides, he urged the chamber to be resolute, innovative and continue to demonstrate the resilience that was shown over the past two decades, especially during the COVID-19 era, a moment of distraction in global supply chains.
The Board Chairman of the chamber, William Tewiah, reiterated that the rebranding of AOMC to COMAC represented a bold step forward, uniting stakeholders under a shared vision of excellence and sustainability.
“It is not merely a transformation of identity but a call to action for industry players to embrace innovation, collaboration and environmental responsibility. As COMAC embarks on this exciting journey, it invites all stakeholders to join hands in shaping a brighter and more sustainable future for Ghana’s energy industry,” he said.
Goodwill messages from stakeholders, including representatives from the National Petroleum Authority and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, highlighted the importance of the rebranding in fostering collaboration and addressing industry challenges.
COMAC’s new logo, featuring a dynamic oil droplet infused with vibrant red, green and yellow colours, captures the essence of its mission and vision.
The oil droplet reflects the organisation’s core business and ties the logo to the energy and petroleum industries. The red symbolises energy, power and urgency, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sector and the chamber’s innovative approach.
The green represents sustainability and environmental responsibility, underscoring the chamber’s commitment to greener energy alternatives and regulatory compliance. The yellow signifies optimism, growth, and prosperity, symbolising the economic importance of the industry and the chamber’s hope for a thriving future.
The highlight of the evening was the grand unveiling of the new COMAC brand identity, featuring an impressive reveal of the logo on an LED screen. The unveiling was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony led by the CEO and Board Members, symbolising unity and the beginning of a promising new era.
During the awards ceremony, key contributors to the industry were recognised for their outstanding service and dedication, while a preview of the Downstream Dialogue, an innovative programme aimed at fostering meaningful discussions among stakeholders, added an exciting glimpse into the chamber’s future initiatives.
Source: htts://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom, has published a disconnection notice for Tokologo municipality in the Free State over R328 million in unpaid electricity bill.
Should Eskom proceed with the disconnection, bulk electricity supply to Boshof, Seretse, Dealesville, and Hertzogville will be interrupted daily from 31 January 2025 for a set number of hours per day.
The municipality currently owes Eskom R328 million for the bulk supply of electricity. This excludes the current account of a further R3.68 million, which became due and payable on 20 November 2024. The last payment Eskom received from the municipality was R150 000 on 5 October 2021.
The municipality could not be immediately be reached for comment.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also recently signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the municipality and to recover any resultant financial losses suffered by the state.
“The municipality charges, collects and receives money from its customers for the supply of electricity but fails to hand over the portion due to Eskom,” the utility said in a statement.
“This is at Eskom’s detriment, and it is not sustainable.”
The utility said its decision to proceed with the process to disconnect electricity supply is a measure of last resort to prevent the debt from spiralling out of control.
The notice is in accordance with the provision of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
Eskom said the municipality’s breach of its payment obligation undermines and places in jeopardy the utility’s ability to continue the national supply of electricity on a financially sustainable basis.
Municipal debt across the country has reached R90 billion and remains a major challenge for the utility.
The utility has invited all affected parties to make submissions indicating why it should not proceed to reduce, disconnect or terminate the bulk electricity supply points to Tokologo.
The closing date for submissions is 6 January 2025, and Eskom will communicate the final decision on or before 16 January.
“Eskom appreciates the hardships the community and the economy will suffer should it exercise its statutory powers to disconnect the municipality,” it said.
“There are no other meaningful options available for Eskom to stop the debt from growing and to collect for current consumption on bulk supply.”
The utility listed a raft of interventions since October 2021, noting that the municipality pulled out of a dispute resolution process and also failed to apply for a debt relief programme extended to local government by the National Treasury.
Despite all the avenues that Eskom explored and efforts to accommodate the municipality, the matter has reached a point where Eskom can simply no longer afford to accommodate the municipality without further financial strain and harming its own business.
Source: News24.com
Nigeria’s ex-Minister for Power, Saleh Mamman, allegedly used N20 million from the funds earmarked for Mambilla Hydro Power project on payment for lodging in a resort over a period of one year.
This was revealed by Colonel Adebisi Adesanya (retired), the Chief Security Officer and owner of Sami Court Resort Limited, a witness in the case against the former Minister during a cross- examination at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, on Wednesday.
The cross-examination followed the testimony of the witness on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, a report by Rayyan Alhassan said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).
The witness, the Chief Security Officer and owner of Sami Court Resort Limited, by the prosecution counsel, A.O. Mohammed, told the court that “Sami Court Resort Limited is a service apartment where people come to lodge and stay for a long time, one month, two months, a year,” adding that “you only book in with your clothes, then any other thing is serviced by the apartment.”
He also revealed that he was invited for questioning by the EFCC on September 6, 2023, regarding inflows from accommodation and lodging into the UBA account of the resort over the period spanning from 2019 to 2021 and identified Exhibit PWC as the invoice issued to Mamman by the resort after his payment of N20 million for lodging, covering the period between August 30, 2021, and August 30, 2022.
“This is our company’s invoice. We issued it after the payment of N20 million with respect to lodging and accommodation for Engineer Saleh Mamman,” he said.
Giving a breakdown of the lodging inflows from Mamman as contained in ‘Exhibit PWC’, he revealed that “on September 6, 2021, the inflow was N5 million, deposited by Golden Bond Nigeria Limited for the period covering 30th August 2021 to 30th August 2022 and the name of the lodger is Engineer Saleh Mamman.
The second column is on January 23, 2022, being N5 million payment deposited by Mintedge Nigeria Limited to cover from 30th August 2021 to 30th August 2022.
“The third column is March 9, 2022, and the amount is N2,500, 000 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), payment by Abdullahi Suleiman and it is to cover the period of 30th August 2021 to 30th August 2022 for Engineer Saleh Mamman.
And the last one is on May 10, 2022, and the amount is N7,500,000 (Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira), deposited by A.I.J Global Tools Limited over the period covering 30th August 2021 to 30th August 2022 and the name of the lodger is Engineer Saleh Mamman,” he said.
The witness further disclosed that the payments by Mamman were just for one bedroom rental, all made through the resort’’s UBA account.
“The documents are our invoice in respect to payment for one bedroom rental from 30th August 2019 and 30th August 2020 and the amount is N20 million.”
Responding to enquiries from the defence counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, at today’s cross-examination, the witness admitted that as the resort’s chief security officer, he was….
Justice Omotosho, afterwards, adjourned the case till January 13, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The installation of the core catcher of El-Dabaa nuclear power plant (NPP) Unit 4 has started recently making it one step closer to the launch.
Works for installation of the core catcher of El-Dabaa NPP Unit 4 in Egypt has recently started.
The General Designer and General Contractor of the NPP is Rosatom Engineering Division.
The core catcher is a part of the passive safety system, designed to prevent the release of radioactive substances into the environment in the event of a severe accident accompanied by destruction of the reactor vessel. It consists of several elements with the total weight over 700 tons (the weight of the core catcher body is 155 tons).
“The core catcher is one of the key safety components of power units of Generation III+. It is symbolic that we are beginning the installation of the core catcher at Unit 4 on Nuclear Energy Day celebrated in Egypt on November 19.
Works for construction of all the four units of the first nuclear power plant in Egypt are in full swing with observance of all the international requirements. In each of its projects, Rosatom puts safety above all, and the Egyptian construction site is no exception for us,” said Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
El-Dabaa will consist of four power units, 1200 MW each, with pressurised water reactors of Russian class VVER-1200.
This is an evolutionary Gen III+ design which fully complies with all international safety requirements. Earlier this August the core catcher was delivered to the construction site of the Paks-II NPP (Hungary) new power units.
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mahmoud Esmat confirmed that the El-Dabaa NPP project is under constant supervision and that the work is ongoing on schedule to complete all stages and connect it to the grid.
He explained the energy sector’s strategy, which focuses on energy balance, diversifying power generation sources, and utilising new, renewable, and clean energy sources to decrease fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions.
Mahmoud Esmat asserted the importance of the peaceful use of nuclear energy as an essential component of a sustainable development strategy and achieving our goals across various sectors, especially in electricity generation.
El-Dabaa NPP is the first NPP in Egypt. It is being built in the city of El-Dabaa, in the Matrouh province on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 km north-west from Cairo.
In accordance with the contractual obligations, the Russian party will not only construct the NPP but will also supply nuclear fuel for the whole life cycle of the NPP and will provide assistance to the Egyptian partners in training of the personnel at the operation and maintenance stages during the first ten years of NPP operation.
Besides, under a separate agreement, the Russian party will build special storages and will supply special containers for storing spent nuclear fuel.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s technical regulator for electricity and natural gas, Energy Commission on Tuesday made history by launching Energy Academy to be hosted at the recently inaugurated nearly-zero energy building headquarters in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The Energy Academy is expected to provide cutting-edge training, foster innovation and the build capacity of energy sector players in Africa in the area of energy policy formulation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, electricity and natural gas regulation, Local Content management among others.
Effective 26th January 2025, the Energy Academy will offer courses in Energy Data Analytics and Energy Research, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Renewable Energy, Energy Planning, Energy Policy and Climate Change and Energy Policy and Regulation.
Speaking at the launching of the Energy Academy, the Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, Ing Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, noted that the creation of the Energy Academy is a direct response to lessons from the past.
He said the Commission recognises that the cornerstone of a thriving energy sector is its people, stating that skilled professionals, empowered by knowledge and innovation are essential to tackling the challenges of energy security, access and sustainability.
Whilst reflecting on 30 years of energy reforms in Ghana, Ing Oscar Amonoo-Neizer noted that the same collaboration that had brought progress in the energy sector would ensure success of the Energy Academy.
He emphasised that “we are not only celebrating the birth of an institution that will shape the future of Ghana’s energy sector but also reflecting on a legacy of progress through the Energy Forum as we evaluate 30 years of reforms in our energy sector.
“Over the past three decades, Ghana has significantly transformed its energy landscape. The journey has been challenging and rewarding from ambitious reforms aimed at restructuring the sector to innovative solutions addressing energy access and sustainability,” he said.
He commended GIZ and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for graciously accepting to collaborate with Energy Commission in this historic endeavour.
The Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon.John Kobina Aboah Sanie, described the Energy Academy as a beacon for progress.
Rev. Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, Executive Secretary of Energy Commission
“This Academy stands as a symbol of what is possible when we align innovation, collaboration and commitment. It serves as a powerful testament to the role of women and young professionals in shaping a sustainable future for Ghana’s energy sector,” he stressed.
He lauded the partnership with KNUST and other collaborators, adding that the Academy represents “a remarkable milestone in our infrastructure development and a critical step toward sustainable economic growth.
“Through forums, academic training and discussions, we are cultivating a virtuous cycle of learning and motivation that will guide energy reforms in Ghana and beyond,” the Deputy Minister emphasised.
Touching on the topic of advancing Electricity and Tackling Challenges in Ghana’s energy sector, an Energy Consultant at the World Bank Office in Ghana, Maame Tabuah Ankoh, noted that the national electrification rate has risen from 28 per cent in 1990 to an impressive 88.9 per cent in 2024.
“This positions Ghana among the top three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa for electrification. It’s a loud achievement in a region where many nations still struggle with rates below 50%,” she remarked.
However, she pointed out the persistent challenges the sector faces, including high system losses, electricity reliability issues and a slow transition to renewable energy.
“It’s projected that 1.5% to 2.5% of GDP is required to support these challenges. Yet, there’s a significant opportunity to leverage renewable energy and drive down costs,” Tabuah added.
Commenting on the vision for the future of Ghana’s energy sector, the Provost of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, underscored the critical role of research, innovation and capacity building in achieving energy sector reforms.
“Technical courses in solar PV, hydropower, and economic regulation are essential for balancing utility needs with affordability,” he said.
He emphasised the need for investment in research and development, highlighting that KNUST’s College of Engineering had recently graduated over 2,600 engineers, many of whom are poised to make an impact in the energy sector.
He also called for greater national support for research and innovation.
“We have the responsibility to create technologies that address local challenges, and that requires investment in good graduate education and innovation accelerators,” Professor Nyarko urged.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa’s Minister for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has cautioned South Africans who are consuming electricity illegally by engaging in bypassing their pre-paid meters to desist from such acts.
According to him, those found to be engaging in illegal electricity consumption would be fined.
This follows Eskom’s completion of a meter recording process at the weekend to ensure that pre-paid electricity meters remain operable.
Ramokgopa disclosed this during an interaction with the media in Pretoria.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Italian oil and gas major, Eni and Ivorian Ministry of Mines, Oil and Energy have signed contracts for the acquisition of four(4) new exploration blocks in the country’s offshore.
The contracts, which were signed in Abidjan further consolidates Eni’s presence in the West African nation.
It took place on the occasion of the first edition of SIREXE, the International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources.
The blocks CI-504, CI-526, CI-706 and CI-708 cover a total area of about 5,720 square kilometres with a water depth ranging between 1,000 and 3,500 meters; their proximity to the Calao discovery, made in Block CI-205, represents a strategic opportunity to create further synergies in the area.
A statement issued by Eni on Thursday, November 28,2024, said it will be able to explore the area for up to 9 years.
Eni has been present in Côte d’Ivoire since 2015 and currently has an equity production of around 22,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The company already operates 6 blocks in the Ivorian deepwater: CI-101, CI-205, CI-401, CI-501, CI-801 and CI- 802, all with the same partner Petroci Holding.
Eni has made the two largest discoveries to date in the country, Baleine and Calao, and is in the process of significantly increasing its production. Just one year after the start-up of Baleine Phase 1, the company is preparing for the launch of Phase 2, scheduled for December 2024, bringing total production from the Baleine field to 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 70 million cubic feet of associated gas (equivalent to 2 million cubic meters of associated gas), which will increase to 150,000 barrels of oil per day and 200 million cubic feet of associated gas during Phase 3, currently under study.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The military regime in Mali has arrested four senior employees of a Canadian mining company as it continues to detain workers to pressure companies in the West African mining sector to pay millions in additional taxes.
Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) has revealed that four employees of its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali have been detained pending trial, as a dispute over its local mining operations escalates.
The giant gold miner says it will continue to engage with Mali’s government to find an amicable settlement and ensure sustainable operations in the West African country.
Previously, the Malian government claimed that Barrick had failed to honor its commitments made under an agreement for equitable distribution of mineral resources.
CEO Mark Bristow has revealed that attempts to find a mutually acceptable resolution so far have been unsuccessful.
Political instability remains a major challenge for foreign energy and mining companies operating in Africa. The oil and gas multinational divestment from the Niger Delta that kicked off over a decade has now hit fever pitch, with hordes of oil and gas majors exiting the Nigerian market.
Last year, Norwegian oil and gas giant Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) finalized the sale of Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC) to local firm, Chappal Energy.
The sale brings to a close the company’s three-decade-long partnership with Africa’s largest oil producer, during which Equinor pumped more than a billion barrels of crude from the Agbami Field. Prior to that, Chinese company Addax sold its four oil blocks to Nigerian state oil company, NNPC.
n the same year, U.S. oil and gas supermajor Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) announced plans to sell its equity interest in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, which holds more than 90 shallow-water and onshore platforms as well as 300 producing wells, to Seplat Energy Plc. for approximately USD1.3 billion.
Former President and Oil Minister Muhammadu Buhari initially approved the deal before reversing his decision.
Two decades ago, Angola championed the so-called “Angola model” wherein it received oil-backed loans from China to finance the building of roads, hydroelectric dams, railways, and the like. It didn’t last very long, though. The model worked just fine in the early years, with Angola borrowing a whopping $45 billion from China, and repaying some of it in oil.
However, the Central African country struggled to attract investors to further develop its oilfields and boost infrastructure. And while initially there was a significant amount of excitement on the part of the oil majors for the country’s massive deposits, (think: BP, Exxon, Chevron), the deterrents remain, including unfriendly tax regimes, corruption and, in some cases, lack of security for assets.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghanaian upstream petroleum exploration firm, Springfield Exploration and Production (SEP) Limited and its partners, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and GNPC-explorco, have announced the successful completion of the appraisal well test activity of the Afina discovery by a re-entry of the well.
The appraisal was carried out by Deepsea Bollsta Rig from Northern Ocean Limited (NOL).
The Deepsea Bollsta was released on 22nd November 2024 at midday, and it set sail from Ghanaian waters the next day at 2.30 p.m., a statement issued by Springfield E&P on Wednesday and copied to energynewsafrica.com revealed.
The appraisal follows a ruling by an International Court of Arbitration that ordered the Government of Ghana to direct Springfield E&P to do further work to ascertain whether the properties of oil in the Afina Discovery located in the West Cape Three Points block 2 is the same as that of Sankofa field in the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block operated by Eni, in order to pave the way for unitisation of the two blocks.
It would be recalled that the Afina-1x drilled in 2019 is located at a water depth of 1030 metres and was drilled to a total depth of 4085 metres.
It encountered light oil with a gross thickness of 65 metres, with 50 metres light net oil
pay in good quality Cenomanian sandstones.
The secondary target drilled at the edge of the structure and contained in Turonian age sands encountered 10 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing sands consisting of gas/condensate.
Touching on the result of the appraisal, Springfield E&P noted that the Afina-1x Drill Stem Test (DST) carried out on the Cenomanian sandstone flowed at a maximum rate of 4500 barrels of oil per day, confirming good reservoir productivity on the upper end of pretest expectations.
It said pressure transient analysis also indicated reservoir pressure depletion at the reservoir level compared to 2019 pressures indicating depletion through production.
It further said a mini-DST conducted on the Turonian sandstone confirmed the presence of gas/condensate and indicated an estimated flow rate potential of up to 12,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).
“Pressure transient analysis from this reservoir showed the pressures consistent with the pressures collected in 2019,” the statement said.
Commenting on the result, the Chief Executive Officer of Springfield, Kevin Okyere, said:
“We are extremely happy with the results of the appraisal programme which has further confirmed our understanding of geological, geophysical and reservoir models and demonstrated our operational capacity.
“Afina-1x is a vertical well, we are confident that a horizontal well or other well completion
options that maximise reservoir exposure in the fields would deliver much higher production rates.
“This provides an incredible platform for reaffirming commercial development options for the Cenomanian and Turonian reservoirs.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Springfield team and Northern Ocean’s Deepsea Bollsta crew and all service partners for conducting this activity safely and on schedule,” he said.
He added that with the successful completion of this appraisal well-test activity, Springfield continues to make history as the first independent Ghanaian and African Energy Company to operate a deep-water asset and find hydrocarbons.
Springfield Exploration and Production Limited was incorporated in March 2008 to pursue exploration and production opportunities in Ghana and the West African sub-region.
The process of acquiring a block began in 2012, but the Government of Ghana finally awarded it in March 2016.
The company is currently the Operator and Majority Interest Holder of West Cape Three Points Block 2 with the Ghana National Petroleum Company and its exploration wing, GNPC-explorco holding the remaining interest.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Republic of Morocco was the only African and Arab country to have a booth, at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation, held in Vienna on November 26-29, 2024.
alongside the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, Ecuador, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea.
Set under the theme “Sharing Morocco’s experience in nuclear science to strengthen national capacities in Africa,” the booth features various actions undertaken by Moroccan scientific institutions to share know-how with African countries, in line with the High Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to promote knowledge sharing as the best pillar of South-South cooperation.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi seized the opportunity to welcome the partnership with Morocco, which covers a number of key development sectors, including agriculture and health, stressing that Morocco’s expertise in nuclear sciences is a strong asset for local and regional development.
For his part, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane pointed out that the booth testifies to Morocco’s long-standing commitment to active South-South cooperation, under the High Guidelines of His Majesty the King, for sharing experience and strengthening African national capacities in all fields, in favor of the African continent’s development.
In turn, Director General of the National Center for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN) Hamid Marah stressed that Moroccan scientific institutions are at the service of Africa, and seized the opportunity to present a scientific work entitled “Nuclear Sciences and Techniques at the Service of Sustainable Water Resource Management in Morocco”.
This book compiles over twenty-five years of work by the CNESTEN, the General Directorate of Hydraulics and the Hydraulic Basin Agencies, in the field of water resource management, with the aim of ensuring responsible exploitation, thanks to the integration of nuclear and isotopic applications.
Set up as a cooperation between Morocco’s Permanent Mission in Vienna and the IAEA, the booth is run by the CNESTEN, with the participation of the main national institutions involved, namely the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR), the Ibn Sina Hospital, the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), and the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA).
In addition to Messrs Grossi, Farhane and Marah, the booth’s inauguration was attended by Ivorian Minister of Agriculture, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of Health Pierre Dimba, as well as Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the International Organizations in Vienna, Ambassador Yacouba Cisse.
The ceremony was also attended by senior IAEA officials, the President of the African Group in Vienna, the Ambassadors accredited to the Austrian capital, and Directors General of AMSSNuR and CNRST, Said Mouline and Jamila Alamie, respectively.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Ltd. has commended Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day old Port Harcourt Refinery.
In a statement, the NNPC Limited said this achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.
However, the NNPC Limited said it is aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products.
“For clarity, the old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90%,” the company explained.
The company provided daily outputs:
Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol)
Kerosene: 900,000 liters
Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters
Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes
“It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.
“Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.
“Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements,” Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd., said.
He urged Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realised under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation.
He said malicious attacks on clear progress only undermine the significant strides made by the NNPC Ltd. and the country.
“Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector,” he concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Group Chief Executive of GOIL PLC, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, has exited the company with an impressive achievement during his tenure after his contract ended last week.
During his tenure, the company’s retail outlets grew from a little over 300 to 460 stations across the West African nation.
The company also increased its business portfolio by establishing GOIL Bitumen Plant and GOIL Upstream to undertake oil and gas exploration.
Besides, the company constructed five auto gas stations and two LPG Refilling Plant in Kumasi and Tema under the cylinder recirculation model policy introduced by the government to minimise gas explosion and increase LPG access.
Mr Osei-Prempeh was appointed to the board of GOIL PLC in 2017.
Following the retirement of his predecessor, Mr Patrick K.A. Akorli, Mr Osei-Prempeh was appointed in June 2019 as acting Managing Director and Group CEO of GOIL PLC.
He was subsequently confirmed as substantive Group CEO by President Akufo-Addo in November the same year.
Speaking at the company’s annual thanksgiving service which coincided with his farewell service, Mr Osei-Prempeh, a former Member of Parliament and Deputy Attorney General, said working with GOIL had been a wonderful experience.
He said almost five and a half years of being CEO of GOIL had been very remarkable. He commended President Akufo-Addo for giving him the opportunity to serve Ghana through GOIL.
Mr Osei-Prempeh said the company was able to raise funds internally and fully paid the load they contracted for the bitumen plant in Tema.
He praised his predecessor and the board for their support which led to the execution of a number of projects under his tenure.
Additionally, Mr Osei-Prempeh expressed his gratitude to the hard-working staff of GOIL and all the industry players who supported him in diverse ways.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s public transport operator, Metro Mass Transit, on Wednesday, unveiled ten fleet of electric buses as part of Ghana’s effort to reduce carbon emissions and also provide the cheapest means of public transport to commuters.
The ten vehicles would be used as a pilot before a nationwide rollout.
The buses arrived in the West African nation last month.
Ghana’s Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia officially unveiled the buses in Adenta, a suburb of Accra.
It would be recalled that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the upcoming General Elections, announced few months ago that the government was considering introducing electric buses for public transport.
According to him, the government planned to import about 100 electric buses.
The new buses are part of the government’s broader plan to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy solutions in the transport sector.
Speaking to unveil the buses, Vice President Bawumia said the introduction of the EVs would lower the cost of public transport by 40 to 50 per cent.
The intervention, he said, would also reduce the operational and maintenance cost of the MMT by 50 per cent.
“I’m so elated to stand before you to commission the first batch of electric buses for Metro Mass Transit Limited to augment its fleet, promote its operations and usher in a new era of innovation in the delivery of public transport services,” he said.
“As the Minister said, the move towards electric vehicles is not only aimed at the MMT, but the whole public transport sector.”
Dr Bawumia said when he first suggested the idea of moving public transport in Ghana to electric vehicles, many thought it was not possible.
“They said it was an election promise that will not be fulfilled. And unfortunately, this is the mindset of impossibility. And it was at play in this situation, as it has been at play for the last eight years that we have been in government.”
The NPP Flagbearer said the Government’s broader vision was to transform the entire public transport sector, which would facilitate a credit facility for members of the Ghana Public Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other organised transport associations to acquire electric buses.
He, therefore, encouraged all individuals operating transport businesses to join an organised transport union to benefit from government’s intervention.
Despite “naysayers” professing the “mindset of impossibility” towards government’s innovative initiatives, he was unfazed and determined to follow through to the implementation of the EVs for public transport in Ghana.
“I had no doubt in my mind that this was possible. If other countries can deploy electric buses for public transportation, why not Ghana?…The transport sector, as you all know, is a major contributing factor to the growth of our economy, and most importantly a necessary pre-condition for the guaranteed success of education, jobs, markets, and health care among others,” he said.
The EVs would revolutionise the transport sector and contribute towards the global net zero carbon emission.
The Government would collaborate with the Technical, Vocational Educational Training (TVET) institutions to train technical staff to serve as manpower workforce for the EVs, Vice President Bawumia said.
Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiama, the Minister of Transport, said the EV programme was part of government’s broader vision to transform the entire public transport system.
The 100 buses were just the pilot phase to identify the challenges in their operations and rectify them before being expanded nationwide.
Mr Albert Adu Boahen, the Managing Director, Metro Mass Transit Ltd, expressed gratitude to the Government for supporting the company with the buses to revamp its operations.
He lauded government for launching the Electric Policy Framework in 2023 to guide the implementation of the in Ghana.
Mr Adu Boahen said the MMT would reduce its fuel cost by 55 per cent, ensure affordable transport fares and improve passenger experience.
The company had also put up charging facilities along the EV routes from Adentan-Accra and Ashiaman-Accra for the pilot phase.
It has also trained technical staff for proper maintenance of the vehicles and their sustainability.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd on Tuesday announced that it has began operation of the Port Harcourt Refinery and delivering petroleum products onto the market.
In a statement, the NNPC Limited said trucks began loading petroleum products which included Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene, while other product slates would be dispatched as well.
The Group CEO of NNPC Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, described the commencement of the loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria, signifying a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
He particularly thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence to ensure energy security for the country.
Kyari also expressed deep appreciation to the NNPC Ltd., Board of Directors and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallised into the streaming of the refinery.
He also commended the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery was delivered despite all challenges.
However, a report by SaharaReporters.com, after the ceremony, suggested it is the old refinery built in 1965 which could produce only diesel and is of 60,000 barrels’ capacity and not the new refinery built in 1989 which can refine 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
According to SaharaReporters sources, the Federal Government was engaging in a propaganda and the new refinery of 150,000 barrels capacity was yet to commence operations.
“The plant is running but it is the old one of 60 thousand capacity but you can’t get PMS (otherwise known as petrol) from it except diesel. The part that produces PMS is yet to start.
“The refinery is in two parts—the old refinery built 1965 of 60, 000 barrel’s capacity which, when commissioned, will only give you one million litres of PMS. You have the new refinery built in 1989 which is of 150,000 barrels per stream day.
“If commissioned, it will give you 10 million litres of PMS. As of today, when they say the Port Harcourt Refinery is coming on stream, they are referring to the old one which we were battling with for months,” another top source revealed.
“The new one is far from ready. We are looking at 2026 for the new one to be ready. If we finally inaugurate the old one, it will be insignificant because Nigeria will not feel the impact,” SaharaReporters.com reported, citing sources within the NNPC Limited.
Tuesday’s move by the NNPC had come after a series of failed deadlines for the commencement of production at the refinery in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Besides, he urged the chamber to be resolute, innovative and continue to demonstrate the resilience that was shown over the past two decades, especially during the COVID-19 era, a moment of distraction in global supply chains.
The Board Chairman of the chamber, William Tewiah, reiterated that the rebranding of AOMC to COMAC represented a bold step forward, uniting stakeholders under a shared vision of excellence and sustainability.
“It is not merely a transformation of identity but a call to action for industry players to embrace innovation, collaboration and environmental responsibility. As COMAC embarks on this exciting journey, it invites all stakeholders to join hands in shaping a brighter and more sustainable future for Ghana’s energy industry,” he said.
Goodwill messages from stakeholders, including representatives from the National Petroleum Authority and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, highlighted the importance of the rebranding in fostering collaboration and addressing industry challenges.
COMAC’s new logo, featuring a dynamic oil droplet infused with vibrant red, green and yellow colours, captures the essence of its mission and vision.
The oil droplet reflects the organisation’s core business and ties the logo to the energy and petroleum industries. The red symbolises energy, power and urgency, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sector and the chamber’s innovative approach.
The green represents sustainability and environmental responsibility, underscoring the chamber’s commitment to greener energy alternatives and regulatory compliance. The yellow signifies optimism, growth, and prosperity, symbolising the economic importance of the industry and the chamber’s hope for a thriving future.
The highlight of the evening was the grand unveiling of the new COMAC brand identity, featuring an impressive reveal of the logo on an LED screen. The unveiling was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony led by the CEO and Board Members, symbolising unity and the beginning of a promising new era.
During the awards ceremony, key contributors to the industry were recognised for their outstanding service and dedication, while a preview of the Downstream Dialogue, an innovative programme aimed at fostering meaningful discussions among stakeholders, added an exciting glimpse into the chamber’s future initiatives.
Source: htts://energynewsafrica.com 
Speaking at the launching of the Energy Academy, the Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, Ing Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, noted that the creation of the Energy Academy is a direct response to lessons from the past.
He said the Commission recognises that the cornerstone of a thriving energy sector is its people, stating that skilled professionals, empowered by knowledge and innovation are essential to tackling the challenges of energy security, access and sustainability.
Whilst reflecting on 30 years of energy reforms in Ghana, Ing Oscar Amonoo-Neizer noted that the same collaboration that had brought progress in the energy sector would ensure success of the Energy Academy.
He emphasised that “we are not only celebrating the birth of an institution that will shape the future of Ghana’s energy sector but also reflecting on a legacy of progress through the Energy Forum as we evaluate 30 years of reforms in our energy sector.
“Over the past three decades, Ghana has significantly transformed its energy landscape. The journey has been challenging and rewarding from ambitious reforms aimed at restructuring the sector to innovative solutions addressing energy access and sustainability,” he said.
He commended GIZ and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for graciously accepting to collaborate with Energy Commission in this historic endeavour.
The Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon.John Kobina Aboah Sanie, described the Energy Academy as a beacon for progress.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
