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
Ghana’s leading indigenous Oil Marketing Company, GOIL PLC, has held a ‘Thanksgiving Service’ at the Ringway Assemblies of God Church in Accra, capital of Ghana, to praise and thank the Almighty God for His tender mercies and guidance for the company throughout the year 2024.
The Annual Thanksgiving Service, which was instituted by immediate past Group CEO Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh brought together hundreds of staff of the company from across the country.
The all-white event was attended by great Men of God including Prophet Christopher Yaw Annor, Head Pastor of ICGC Holy Ghost Temple,Frafraha, Adenta, Prophet Atsu Manasseh, Founder of Watered Garden Church, Rev. Edward Kissi, Head Pastor of ICGC Miracle Temple, Tema Community 12, Apostle Lord Mensah,founder Inner Court Chapel Tema Community 3 and Bishop Yaw Owusu Ansah, Resurrection Power and Living Bread Ministries in Dansoman.
The Men of God used the occasion to encourage the management and staff of the company seek guidance and thank Him always for what He enables them to achieve in life.
The event featured renowned Gospel musicians such as Rev. Bruce Ghartey popularly known as Uncle Ato and Daughters of Glorious Jesus.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Angola plans to start the production of natural gas not associated with oil, from 2025, through the New Gas Consortium (NCG), the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo has announced as carried by Angola News Agency.
The project, to be developed by the consortium made up of operators Sonangol, Azule Energy, TotalEnergies and Cabinda Gulf, will allow the creation of 400 new jobs, during the construction phase of the respective platforms, as well as a further 300 jobs, during the construction of the onshore gas treatment plant, in the municipality of Soyo (Zaire province).
In addition, the New Gas Consortium foresees contributions to social projects in the order of two million dollars per year, from the date of the start of production until the end of the concession’s production period in 2056, according to Diamantino Azevedo.
To begin exploration activities in the fields called “Quiluma” and “Maboqueiro”, the National Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) and the NCG signed, this Friday, in Luanda, the Risk Service Contract, valued at around four billion US dollars, to cover capital and operational costs throughout the life cycle of the first project of its kind in the country.
On the occasion, Minister Diamantino Azevedo considered the production of gas not associated with oil as an important milestone in achieving the objectives defined by the Angolan Executive, with emphasis on attracting investments, leveraging the economy and contributing significantly to the growth of the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He also highlighted the project as historic in the gas sector, as it coincides with the celebrations of 50 years of National Independence, to be celebrated on November 11, 2025.
The government official also clarified that, initially, the consortium scheduled the start of gas production for 2026, but will do its best to start six months before the scheduled date.
Diamantino Azevedo also said that, in the first phase, NCG will develop the Quiluma and Maboqueiro non- associated gas fields, to supply this product to the Angola LNG factory, as well as the future fertilizer factory in Soyo (Zaire province) and other projects for the use of natural gas.
“It is our conviction that the increase in natural gas production will play an extremely important role in the country’s economic and social growth”, he predicted.
He also added that the aforementioned project will mitigate the risk of the Angola LNG plant operating below its minimum operational efficiency limit and provide continuous supply of gas for domestic use, namely the supply of gas to the Soyo Combined Cycle Plant and guarantee self-sufficiency in the production of cooking gas.
He recalled that the creation of this consortium occurred within the scope of the implementation of the Executive’s actions, aimed at the exploration and production of natural gas not associated with oil, for its monetization and use as a primary source of energy for security and energy transition, with gains economic, social and environmental benefits for the country.
On the other hand, the minister acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, hoping that, with the approval of the Natural Gas Master Plan (PDG), other opportunities can be identified in the “up, mid and downstream”, for the implementation of a robust domestic natural gas industry.
He highlighted that the PDG also contemplates the proliferation of combined cycle and electrical energy production plants, as well as petrochemical complexes, fertilizer plants and steel mills, for the diversification of the national energy matrix and diversification of the national economy.
For his part, the CEO of the operator Azule Energy, Adriano Mongini, assured that the signing of the aforementioned agreement will accelerate the implementation of the project, a fact that will allow the start of gas production six months before the scheduled date, symbolizing the success of the cooperation between the Angolan Executive and the contractor group.
‘More than an investment, the NCG project will increase our natural gas production capacity and diversify the energy matrix, in addition to contributing to the creation of new jobs’, he highlighted.
As for the president of the Board of Directors of ANPG, Paulino Jerónimo, the contract initialed today represents a milestone in the Angolan oil sector, as it marks the culmination of a journey lasting several years of intense negotiations that involved exchange rate, technical, economic and legal aspects., to ensure the precedent conditions.
He pointed out this project as the first for inspection, research, evaluation, development, production and sale of natural gas not associated with oil in Angola.
In line with Presidential Legislative Decree No. 7/18, of May 18, the manager said that this production opens doors to other investors in the oil and gas industry, to boost the value chain with the reflection of opportunities capable of enabling implementation of other projects in the country.
So far, the country only produces natural gas associated with oil, through the Angola LNG processing factory, located in the municipality of Soyo, Zaire province, which aims to reach the peak of its production in the second quarter of 2025, passing from the current 700 million to one billion cubic feet of this product per day.
This increase in production will result, fundamentally, from some ongoing investments in the plant, as well as the increase in the volume of associated and non-associated gas to be supplied to the plant by oil platforms located offshore (high seas) and by the consortia that signed today the contract.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Springfield E&P, a wholly-owned Ghanaian upstream petroleum player, has described the result of its recent appraisal of Afina-1x block located offshore, WCTP-2, as positive and impressive.
At a brief interaction with a section of Ghanaian journalists ahead of the official announcement of the result of the appraisal, the Chief Executive Officer of Springfield E&P, Kevin Okyere, said his outfit is very happy about the result.
“We’re very happy with the result,” he said, beaming with smile.
The appraisal was carried out by Deepsea Bollsta Rig from Northern Ocean Limited (NOL).
The appraisal follows a ruling by an International Court of Arbitration that ordered the Government of Ghana to direct Springfield 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 way for unitization of the two blocks.
This portal will keep the industry posted once Springfield issues an official statement.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO), one of the power distribution companies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has seen steady improvement in its financial and business performance following the restoration of power supply in the West African nation.
Nigeria, in recent times, has suffered multiple blackouts as a result of attacks by vandals on TCN power infrastructure.
This negatively impacted September–October 2024 billing and collection cycle of most DisCos.
KEDCO, alongside three other distribution companies in the North East and North West, had significant disruption to power supply in October, with KEDCO being the worst hit.
A statement issued by Sani Bala Sani, Head of Corporate Communications at KEDCO, said the company’s operations were initially impacted on October 13, 2024, with only 40 per cent of our grid allocation being supplied after the Shiroro-Kaduna 330kV line incident, further exacerbated by a total blackout on October 20, 2024, the peak of revenue collection cycle.
He said, “Although the power supply was partially restored to a 40 per cent level on 30th October, we were only availed with up to around 85 per cent supply levels on November 14 and anxiously awaiting completion of the Shiroro-Kaduna repairs.
“Regrettably, the incident presented us with our worst market performance this year. Having zero grid supply posed significant financial and economic challenges for KEDCO and its customers, with many customers resorting to costly backup sources or shutting down operations.
“In our best-performing months, our ATC&C losses parameter was sharply down by over 20 per cent to a record of 40 per cent and we plan to return to those levels,” he said.
” With the current power supply at around 85 per cent, we have recorded significant collections from last month’s arrears and appealing to our customers to continue to cooperate with us on prompt settlement of their current bills and arrears, for business sustainability,” he added.
He commended the resilience of their customers and vowed to continue to improve the performance in supplying them with safe and reliable electricity.
Sani Bala Sani also thanked the Honourable Minister for Power for his timely intervention and visit during the crisis to understand their challenges.
He equally acknowledged TCN’s restoration efforts and appreciate the Federal Government’s commitment to helping improve the redundancy and safety of the National Grid.
“It remains our core investor and Board’s resolve to continue to drive investments and improved performance through embedded generation supply options in our network via the Safe Grid and Utility 2.0 projects in collaboration with our tri-state governments, under the guidance of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), it is vital to appeal for our customers’ continued cooperation to actualize that vision,” he concluded.
Source https//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 
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
