Increased use of natural gas for power generation has made the United States more dependent on fossil fuels for its electricity supply this year than China, the world’s top carbon emitter.
Since June 2024, high U.S. summer electricity demand has been mostly met by increased gas-fired power generation, while a rebound in hydropower in China has limited to some extent the share of coal in its electricity supply.
As a result, fossil fuels – including natural gas and coal – have had an average share of 62.4% of total electricity output in the United States since June.
This compares to a lower fossil fuel share in the coal-dominated power system in China, where fossil fuels accounted for 60.5% of generation between June and September, according to data from energy think tank Ember reported by Reuters columnist Gavin Maquire.
The rise in natural gas power output could undermine the current U.S. goals of making the grid zero-carbon by 2035.
U.S. power generation from natural gas surged by 20% in the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same period of 2019. The share of gas in power supply has jumped to 43% from 38% five years ago.
In recent years, power demand in the United States, the single largest portion of which is delivered by gas-fired power plants, has soared and is expected to continue to surge with rising electrification and more electricity necessary to power and cool data centers.
U.S. power-generating companies are announcing plans for the highest volume of new natural gas-fired capacity in years as the AI boom is driving demand for electricity.
During the first half of 2024, electricity-generating firms unveiled plans for the new gas-powered capacity equal to all capacity announced in 2020, according to data from Sierra Club cited by Bloomberg last month.
Natural gas-fired electricity generation in the United States has jumped year-to-date compared to the same period last year, as total power demand rose with warmer temperatures and demand from data centers.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Republic of Ghana has qualified and been shortlisted, together with Ethiopia and India, for the final stage where 120-member countries will gather in New Delhi, capital of India, on 4th November 2024 to vote and elect the new Director-General of the International Solar Alliance (2025-2028).
Ghana’s nominee for the position, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, a former Director for Renewable Energy at the Energy Ministry and Bui Power Authority (BPA), has received massive support and Ghana is anticipating that its nominee beats the other competitors.
Wizzie, as he is affectionately called, has over 30 years experience in the renewable energy sector.
He pioneered most of the renewable energy deployment in Ghana including the largest floating solar facility in Africa.
He was very instrumental in the development of renewable energy policies, plans and regulations in Ghana.
He delivered speeches on Renewable Energy at international events.
Below is the profile of Mr Wisdom Ahiataku -Togobo:
Mr Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo has a BSc degree in Physic and Mathematics from the University of Ghana, Legon and an MSc degree in Renewable Energy from the University of Oldenburg, Germany.
He also has a post graduate Diploma in Economics (Investment Appraisal and Risk
Management) from Queens University, Kingston Canada.
He is currently pursuing his PhD on Sustainable Energy Policy at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani.
He started his carrier in the renewable energy sector in 1989 as an Associate Programme Officer with the then National Energy Board and has over the years developed his skills and capacity in the implementation of various renewable energy programmes for rural energy access.
He is currently the Founder and Director of Alternative Technology Consult, Ghana (AT Consult Ghana) after his retirement as the Director Renewable Energy at the Bui Power Authority, a state owned company dedicated to the generation of electricity from renewable and clean energy resources.
He was the Director of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Ghana for eleven (11) years and was very instrumental in the development and passage of the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832).
He also played a leading role in the development and amendment of the Bui Power
Authority Amendment Act 2020 (Act 1046) and the Renewable Energy Amendment Act 2020 (Act 1045).
Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo also chaired the Committee that developed the Ghana Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) in 2019. Before then, he was the Renewable Energy Expert for the World Bank – Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP).
He has also worked as the Project Coordinator for the UNDP Household Energy Programme in Ghana.
Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo is a Board Member of the Ghana Nuclear Institute and a founding member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Oldenburg, Germany and has a number of publications, articles and reports on renewable energy and sustainable development to his credit.
He is the candidate of the Republic of Ghana for election in November 2024 for the position of the Director General of the International Solar Alliance.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria’s National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) has reported that a helicopter carrying six personnel and two crew crashed in the Gulf of Guinea, with five of them missing while three bodies had been retrieved as the time of this report.
A statement issued by NNPC Limited said it engaged the helicopter with registration number 5NBQG and it took off from Port Harcourt NAF enroute the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility-NUIMS ANTAN.
The company said, “At about 11:22 am, we lost contact with the Helicopter.”
The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
Soneye Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, who signed the statement confirming the incident, revealed that the appropriate authorities had been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who had since issued a press statement.
“Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that NNPC Limited would continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates as events unfold.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew and their families during this challenging time. We are committed to doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the NNPC spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, Eastwind Aviation, which operates Sikorsky S76, also confirmed the incident in a statement.
The statement said the bodies of three (3) persons onboard have been recovered this far, and identification procedures are currently underway.
“Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing for the remaining individuals.
“Our immediate focus and priority is on the search and rescue efforts. We are working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and we will provide updates as soon as we have more confirmed information from the ongoing search and rescue operations,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nine hundred and eighty one (981) high-voltage electricity towers have been vandalised in recent years by unknown people in four of the six municipalities of Zaire Province in the Republic of Angola.
The Deputy Governor of Zaire for the Political, Social and Economic sector, Afonso Nzolameso, disclosed this at the opening of the awareness campaign on the preservation of electricity transmission lines, promoted by the National Electricity Transmission Network (RNT).
According to him, 476 high voltage towers were damaged in the municipality of Soyo, 372 in Nzeto, 128 in Tomboco and one in Mbanza Kongo, the capital of Zaire Province.
Without giving figures, the official said that the replacement of the equipment damaged by people he called ‘anti-patriots’ cost large sums to the Angolan state coffers.
In turn, the non-executive Director of RNT, Altino Salvador, said that three months ago, the company calculated an estimated loss of over six million US dollars, as a result of the actions carried out by the vandals.
According to the source, to reverse the current situation, RNT decided to relaunch the campaign to raise awareness of the population for the preservation of the social and economic equipment that the Executive makes available to it.
Launched in 2019 in the province of Cuanza-Norte, with the designation Kilueso (danger), the awareness campaign was interrupted in 2020 due to Covid-19.
It should be noted that the province of Zaire benefits from electricity from the national grid in all municipal headquarters, including some communes and villages.
The province of Zaire has an estimated population of more than 600,000 inhabitants, spread over six municipalities, 25 communities and 711 villages.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Springfield E&P, a wholly-owned Ghanaian independent upstream petroleum player, has commenced an appraisal of its Afina -1x Well at the West Cape Three Points (WCTP) Block 2 Offshore in the Republic of Ghana.
The company contracted Deepsea Bollsta Rig from Northern Ocean Limited (NOL) to lead its appraisal of the Afina-1x Well and this portal understands that the rig arrived at the country’s offshore on October 18 and started work on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
The appraisal of the Afina -1x Well comes barely three months after a ruling by an international court of arbitration directed Springfield E&P to undertake appraisal of the Afina Discovery to determine the possible utilisation of Afina Discovery and Sankofa Field operated by Italian oil and gas giant, Eni.
The Ghanaian firm and the Italian oil and giant have been in dispute over the claim that Afina -1x Well and Sankofa Field are connected.
At a news conference in Accra today, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, attended by top officials of Springfield E&P, Northern Ocean Limited, Halliburton and GNPC, the Chief Executive Officer of Springfield E&P, Mr. Kevin Okyere, disclosed that his outfit had projected to spend about $65 million dollars on appraising the Afina -1x Well.
According to him, his outfit has already spent about $200 million dollars on the field.
Prospects of the well
Mr. Okyere told this portal that the field that is in dispute holds about 640 million barrels out of the 2 billion barrels in the area.
Kevin Okyere, Chief Executive Officer of Springfield E&P.
Touching on the work done so far, he said “we have already done a mini DSD called MDT and the oil flowed.”
“We even took a sample of the oil and sent it to the UK to get it tested. And that’s how we got the results to say that it’s the same as that of the Sankofa Field,” he added.
Asked what would be the future of Springfield E&P if the appraisal result is not positive, Mr. Okyere responded that “with the properties that we’ve seen, it should be beyond a miracle for the oil not to flow.”
Mr. Okyere, who expressed concerns about the delay in the utilisation of the two fields, said had this been done long ago Ghana’s oil production would have increased than it is currently.
“Well, this has taken five years. I mean, honestly, we didn’t know it would take this long because I mean it went to arbitration. Arbitration also took a good amount of time.
I think the impact of this is much greater than we anticipated.
“If this had been resolved years ago, I can guarantee you that Ghana’s oil production would be far ahead than where it is today,” he said.
Despite the delay, Mr. Okyere is convinced that the country could increase its oil production if the appraisal is completed and the result is positive.
“We are very optimistic that within the next six months after completion, we will start making some positive progress and also add more production to Ghana’s oil,” he added.
Commenting on the appraisal, Mr. Jerry Greenfield, a representative of GNPC, said his outfit was very excited about the Afina Discovery because it had proven that there is more oil that sits within the basin.
He explained that work of appraisal is to unravel uncertainties around a certain discovery so that certain decisions can be taken.
He said, for example, commercial decisions and production decisions can be taken.
“We are happy at the pace at which we have moved quickly after the arbitration ruling. Within the space of three months, we have been able to mobilise this rig.
“It’s a feat that is hardly achieved by any of the major companies. They they’re not able to mobilise that quickly. And we are happy that this is being done. That will pave the way for us to be able to take the major decisions once we are able to flow this well, test flow this well, we’re able to know the flow rates that, Afina can deliver, that we can easily plan how we can develop it. And we’re happy about this project, and we are fully supportive of it,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria’s minister for power, Adebayo Adelabu, has constituted a six-member Committee to advise the Federal Government on necessary solutions to make the country’s national grid robust and reliable.
This was contained in a statement issued by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the Minister of Power.
Members of the committee include Nafisat Ali, Executive Director, Independent System Operator, ISO, who leads the committee, Dr. Chidi Ike, Commissioner, NERC, Engr. Ishola General Manager. National Control Centre, NCC.
Others are Emmanuel Nosike, Director, Transmission, Ministry of Power, Ali Sharifai General Manager, Transmission Service Provider, TSP, and Adedayo Olowoniyi, Chief Technical Adviser to the Minister of Power.
He said the committee members are expected to present a report to the minister on Nov. 1.
”The committee is to also establish the root cause of both incidents, especially a review of potential sabotage on the system.
”The committee will holistically review the national grid stability and identify investments and technical capacities required to make the grid smart and resilient.
According to him, the minister expressed displeasure at the incident, which he said, was capable of rubbishing the giant strides made in the last one year.
Mr. Tunji recalled that on Oct. 14, there was a partial collapse due to the tripping of a line at the Jebba Transmission Substation, and recurring fault at the Osogbo Transmission Substation.
He said that efforts to restore the grid further resulted in a setback the following day. The System was however fully restored on Oct. 16.
”There was no grid collapse on Tuesday as was widely speculated as the setback was a continuation of Monday’s restoration efforts on the grid.
”What was described on Oct. 19, as grid collapse, was a deliberate protective shut down of the grid as a result of the explosion of the Jebba transformer. And this was restored within two hours,” he said.
”What we had were more grid disturbances than collapses.
“Preliminary assessment of the Jebba incident suggested that the explosion was as a result of ageing equipment unrelated to the initial collapse, ”he said.
Mr Tunji said that the committee was an addition to the ongoing efforts of the government like the Presidential Power Initiatives, PPI, and the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project, NETAP, to ensure reliable power supply.
He said that a technical team had also been deployed to access the critical nodes on the national grid, to identify potential vulnerabilities and proffer recommendations to prevent future disruptions.
The minister had invited the leadership of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, at the weekend to an emergency meeting over grid disturbance.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
At least eleven people were killed on Tuesday after a fuel truck exploded next to a highway in Uganda, police said.
According to a report by AP news, two children were among the dead. The truck overturned after an accident and later exploded in a town just outside Kampala, the capital, police spokesman Patrick Onyango said.
“The victims were burnt beyond recognition,” he said in a statement. A cloud of dark smoke rose from the scene.
A video shared online by an onlooker appeared to show people scooping up fuel from the truck before the blast.
The dangerous scene echoed a similar incident in Nigeria last week that killed more than 140 people, including children.
People who rushed to collect fuel from stricken trucks hoped to sell it, despite warnings to stay away.
“This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with fuel tanker accidents and the importance of exercising caution when dealing with hazardous materials,” Onyango said.
There have been similar incidents over the years across East Africa. At least 62 people who attempted to siphon fuel out of a damaged truck were killed in Tanzania in 2019.
In South Sudan, at least 183 people were killed in 2015 when hundreds of villagers gathered around a fuel truck to collect fuel.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Gridworks, the UK government-backed investor in Africa’s electricity networks, has
announced the appointment of Erik Knive as its new Chief Executive Officer.
A statement issued by the company said Erik will take up his new role in January 2025.
Erik Knive brings extensive experience from his most recent role at Aker Horizons, a listed Norwegian multinational, where he led investments in green industries, including renewable power production, carbon capture technology, and the global development of hydrogen and its derivatives.
Previously, Erik served as Group CEO of SN Power, a global renewable energy company focused on middle-income and developing markets. He also held the position of Group CEO at Green Resources, an Africa-focused forestry and forestry products company.
Additionally, Erik has held senior management roles in various telecommunications
companies worldwide. Throughout his 30-year career, Erik has lived in 12 countries and
served on over 30 boards.
A Norwegian national, Erik was educated at Harvard Business School and the University of New Orleans. He is also a certified pilot.
Welcoming the appointment, Gridworks’ Acting Chair, Dr Snowy Khoza said: “The Board is delighted to welcome Erik as our new CEO. Erik has extensive experience in leading complex organisations, particularly in the power development and investment sector. His proven track record of driving growth and innovation, coupled with his international perspective and leadership acumen, will be invaluable as we maintain our strategy and mission to be the leading developer and investor in Africa’s electricity networks. The Board would also like to thank our Interim co-CEOs, Chris Flavin and Mark Richards who have provided crucial leadership this year as Gridworks has unveiled a series of important new initiatives.”
Erik Knive said: “It’s a privilege to take on this new role and I look forward to working with our team, our shareholder and all our partners to build on the progress that Gridworks has made so far. Well-functioning electricity networks are vital to Africa, where most businesses struggle daily to deal with unreliable power and only half the continent has access to electricity. I’m joining at an exciting time for the company and for Africa’s electricity sector. With its team of dedicated sector experts and an impressive portfolio and pipeline, Gridworks has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people.”
An investor in Africa’s electricity transmission & distribution sector, Gridworks is a
subsidiary of British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor.
Holger Rothenbusch, Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure at BII, said: “I am delighted that Erik is joining Gridworks, at a critically important time, to lead it on its next stage of growth. About 600 million people in Africa still don’t have access to reliable and affordable electricity. BII created Gridworks as a developer, owner and operator specialising in power transmission and distribution in Africa as we believe investing in electricity networks is crucial. Erik, with his significant experience, will further build on the foundations of Gridworks as the continent’s first dedicated investor and developer in electricity networks.”
Gridworks is developing a series of ground-breaking projects to bring clean, affordable and reliable power to Africa’s people and its businesses.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Germany’s government has approved plans for the development of a hydrogen network that would cost 19 billion euros, equivalent to $20.5 billion.
The plan would include converting natural gas pipelines into infrastructure for the transportation of hydrogen, building new pipelines as well, and connecting them all with big industrial energy consumers to help them decarbonize, Bloomberg reports.
The natural gas pipeline conversion would cost some 2 billion euros, the report noted.
The whole network would span over 9,000 kilometers and be completed by 2032, with the first pipelines going online in 2025.
Germany has already signaled previously it has big ambitions in the hydrogen space, and more specifically in the green hydrogen space.
However, that very same space has seen several project cancellations recently as their authors conclude the market conditions are not conducive to the success of these projects.
Denmark’s Ørsted said earlier this month it would abandon a project that was supposed to produce green hydrogen from wind power installations, saying that “a sub-scale demonstration plant like this no longer has relevance in the current market.”
Spain’s Repsol just this week said it would suspend all investments in green hydrogen in its home market as it braces up for the possibility of windfall taxes for the energy industry becoming a permanent fixture of the local regulatory landscape.
The company warned that tax would discourage investments in the nascent green hydrogen market.
Green hydrogen is the cleanest form of the element and an energy source that many transition advocates are placing great value on.
However, it is an expensive process that involves considerable energy losses during the conversion of water into its constituent elements, prompting ample criticism that appears to have gone unheeded in Berlin. Germany plans to become climate-neutral by 2045.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced the commencement of the removal of fake meters that have been connected with power and all unauthorised service lines.
Unauthorised service is connecting power from adjourning structures (customers) whose owners legally applied for meter from the ECG.
The move, according to the power distribution company, is aimed at reducing commercial losses they have been experiencing.
The company said power supply to affected customers would be regularised when they apply for new service at its district offices.
“Customers are encouraged to only apply for service (power supply) at our district offices, and avoid the services of middlemen (goro boys),” the ECG said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), in collaboration with the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP), under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy and Digicraft Advertising, has launched a week-long Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) awareness and sensitisation campaign in the Volta Region, one of the sixteen regions of the West African nation.
The initiative aims to educate the public on the health and environmental benefits of using LPG for cooking, targeting key stakeholders such as community leaders, market queens, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and consumers through market engagements, town hall meetings and community durbars.
At a community durbar in Kpando, Reverend Father Selom Mireku, Chairman of the Local Council of Churches and Priest of the Saint Patrick’s Anglican Church, urged Ghanaians to advocate for cleaner cooking alternatives.
He highlighted the severe health risks posed by the continued use of firewood and charcoal in homes, stressing that switching to LPG is not just a convenience but a necessity to safeguard lives.
Quoting alarming statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Reverend Mireku noted that smoke from firewood and charcoal is responsible for over four million deaths globally each year.
Despite these dangers, many households in developing countries, including Ghana, still rely on these traditional fuels.
He explained that women and children who spend most of their time in kitchens are particularly vulnerable to the harmful pollutants released by firewood smoke.
“These pollutants are linked to deadly health conditions such as respiratory diseases, heart problems, eye damage, and even premature death,” he said, adding that indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods has become a leading cause of preventable illness in low-income households.
“The health effects are staggering,” Reverend Mireku remarked, “but for many, the shift to safer energy sources remains a challenge due to a lack of education.”
He commended the NPA and its collaborators for their efforts in promoting LPG as a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable option.
He pledged to use his platform to educate his congregation and advocate for the transition from firewood and charcoal to LPG to ensure the safety and health of Ghanaians.
The Volta Region tour aims to inspire a shift in mindset and practices across the country. Reverend Mireku’s call for all citizens to become advocates for change underscores the collective responsibility in combating indoor air pollution.
By adopting LPG and reducing the reliance on traditional fuels, families can protect their health and safeguard the environment.
Leading the campaign was Mrs Eunice Budu Nyarko, Head of Consumer Services at the NPA, who emphasised the importance of public education on LPG safety.
She urged consumers to take safety precautions, including regular inspection of gas hoses for cracks and using only approved hoses for gas usage.
Mrs Nyarko also advised on the importance of checking rubber seals (washers) on the valve and connecting hoses, stressing the need for professional help for repairs.
“Do not allow children to go near woodfuel fires and coalpots while cooking,” Mrs Nyarko cautioned, adding that consumers should avoid using mobile phones while cooking to prevent accidents.
Mr Johnson Gbagbo Junior, Supervisor of Gas at the NPA, further educated participants on LPG safety guidelines. Not only did the campaign highlight the health benefits of LPG but also emphasized its environmental advantages.
Unlike firewood which contributes to deforestation and air pollution, LPG burns cleanly, reducing both health risks and environmental damage.
Geoffrey Badassu, the MCE of Kpando, urged the NPA to continue its educational efforts in rural areas and intensify public sensitisation on LPG safety.
Meanwhile, during a town hall meeting in Aflao, Edmund Adzakwadzo, the MCE for South Ketu, emphasised the health risks that smoke poses to women and children, encouraging the public to embrace the NPA’s education and sensitisation campaign.
As the campaign moves forward, the hope is that more Ghanaians will adopt cleaner, safer cooking practices, ultimately protecting their health and the environment.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has been licensed to distribute electricity within Enugu State by the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC).
As part of events marking the completion of the transition period for transfer of regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), the Chairman/CEO, EERC, Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo presented the interim distribution license to Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited.
Presenting the license, Okonkwo charged Mainpower to continue with the operations of electricity service delivery to the citizens of Enugu State and work with the Commission to ensure growth in electricity services that is efficient, reliable, sustainable, and accountable is sustained for the long run.
With this development, EEDC operations in Enugu State has come to an end and have been transferred to Mainpower, while NERC will no longer regulate electricity business within the state of Enugu.
In his remarks after receiving the license, a member of the Board of Directors of Mainpower, Mr. Kester Enwereonu, said that the successful transition was a new chapter that reflects the forward-thinking reforms in the power sector and that Mainpower is ready to lead the way.
He further said that to accelerate the transformation, Mainpower will deploy re-engineered processes, cutting-edge technology, and smart tools designed to leapfrog past conventional barriers, stressing that technology is at the heart of the company’s strategy.
He assured that Mainpower will be leveraging data-driven insights to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery and that its focus will be on building a future-ready distribution network capable of delivering sustainable, reliable, and uninterrupted power to homes and businesses across the state.
“This is a bold step towards building a better future for Enugu State and with the regulatory oversight of the EERC, our commitment to operational excellence, and the support of our stakeholders, we are confident that Mainpower will achieve the tangible improvements that our customers deserve”, Enwereonu assured.
Also present at the event is the Managing Director of Mainpower, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya.
It will be recalled that with President Bola Tinubu signing the Electricity Act into law, States can now generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. With this development, they are expected to set up their own regulatory framework to regulate the electricity market in their states and issue operating licenses to potential investors that may want to do business in the state.
In addition, NERC (which has been the regulator over the years) would have to hand over the regulatory and oversight rights to the state-owned regulatory commission (which in the case of Enugu State is the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC).
Consequently, EEDC ceases to operate within Enugu State, as MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited is now the DisCo responsible for electricity distribution in the State.
However, EEDC as the holding company continues to carry out electricity distribution in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Venezuela detained former Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea over the weekend as part of an internal purge at the state-owned oil company, PDVSA, after President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed reelection.
Tellechea, a technocrat from the petrochemical sector, served as oil minister until Aug. 27, when he was replaced by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
As the former head of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), Tellechea closed deals on a number of jointly-run oil ventures with foreign oil producers as Venezuela sought to ramp up production.
Tellechea was detained on Sunday after a string of arrests that have swept PDVSA in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. The people spoke anonymously due to the sensitive, ongoing nature of the situation.
Venezuela confirmed the detention of Tellechea and his closest collaborators on Monday in a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
The former minister and his allies committed “serious crimes,” the prosecutor said, alleging they had handed over sensitive PDVSA information to an entity controlled by U.S. intelligence.
The detention comes amid a renewed push by Maduro against corruption.
The president is seeking to regain popular support after the opposition presented records from a majority of polling stations that showed him losing the July vote by a wide margin.
Press officials for Venezuela’s information ministry didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tellechea, who has been serving as industry minister, was unexpectedly removed from his post on Friday and replaced by top Maduro ally, Alex Saab.
His detention follows that of his predecessor at the oil ministry, Tareck El Aissami, who was arrested in April as part of an investigation into billions in missing energy revenues.
Source: World Oil
Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas company Petrobras is leading a delegation of Brazilian companies to the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – taking place in November 4-8 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The move follows a string of acquisitions made by Brazilian companies in Africa in recent months and aims to unlock new avenues for partnerships in oil and gas exploration and production.
The delegation comprises Petrobras’ Exploration and Production Director Sylvia dos Anjos; Dr. Roberto Ardenghy, President of the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas; Dr. Marcio Mello, Founder of the Namibia Energy Corporation; and Henrique Luiz de Barros Penteado, Petrobras Netherlands B.V. Exploration Manager. As the largest energy event in Africa, AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 offers a strategic platform for strengthened Africa-global partnerships.
AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy.
Petrobras – the biggest oil producer in Brazil – is rapidly expanding its footprint in Africa, with strategic acquisitions in South Africa, Namibia and São Tomé and Príncipe.
In September 2024, the company’s board gave the greenlight to acquire a 10% stake in the offshore Deep Western Orange Basin in South Africa, heralding a new era of exploration in the promising block.
Situated adjacent to where high-profile discoveries have been made in Namibia, the deepwater block offers significant potential for billion-barrel finds. The block is operated by energy major TotalEnergies alongside project partners QatarEnergy and Sezigyn.
In Namibia, Petrobras is making a bid for a 40% stake in the Mopane oil and gas exploration block, which international oil company Galp has put up for sale.
The block was the host of a major discovery in January 2024, with reserves estimated as high as 10 billion barrels recoverable.
Now, Galp is seeking farm-in partners to accelerate the development of the block. If successful, the acquisition would signal Petrobras’ entry into the market, which has been the host of some of Africa’s biggest offshore discoveries in recent years.
This aligns with the company’s goal to expand its international footprint while paving the way for Namibia to leverage the expertise of its South American neighbor.
Petrobras’ return to Africa followed the acquisition of interests in three Shell-operated exploration blocks in São Tomé and Príncipe in December 2023.
The deal covers Blocks 10, 11 and 13, aligning with the company’s strategy to expand its interests into frontier markets in Africa.
The company has dedicated $1.3 billion over the next five years for exploration outside of Brazil, underscoring its commitment to diversifying its portfolio and driving exploration in Africa.
Looking ahead, Petrobras remains committed to frontier exploration opportunities.
Recently, Petrobras has asked to consult geological data in Angola, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Benin and Ivory Coast.
The company’s newfound upstream strategy aims to significantly enhance its production capacity while tapping into the potential of emerging and promising markets – particularly those in Africa. This extends to producing countries such as Angola, which continues to offer untapped potential in onshore and ultra-deepwater acreage.
Angola and Brazil rank in the top ten globally for ultra-deepwater reserves, highlighting a strategic opportunity for collaboration. Frontier assets such as in the Namibe basin offer strategic potential for Petrobras.
At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, these collaborative opportunities will be a key topic of discussion, with the Brazilian delegation engaging with industry leaders and project developers in Cape Town.
“Brazil’s exploration and production history bears remarkable similarities to that of its African counterparts, specifically frontier markets such as Namibia. Offering similar geological characteristics and with a string of large-scale projects underway, lesson learnt from Brazil can accelerate the pace and success of oil and gas developments in Africa.
Companies such as Petrobras are already strengthening their portfolio of African assets, driving projects forward in partnership with African and global players,” NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber stated.
During AEW, the Brazilian delegation will participate in various panel discussions, tackling critical topics such as frontier exploration, sustainable oil and gas development and technology-driven drilling solutions.
The delegation’s participation creates strategic opportunities for newfound partnerships as African countries move to unlock the full potential of their offshore oil and gas resources.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber
Source: African Energy Chamber
