The Nigerian Government has banned the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, from staying in the West African nation for allegedly engaging in racism.
Roger’s work permit, visa and residence permit have all been revoked, energynewsafrica.com can report.
A letter written by the country’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, to the Board Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc. accused Brown of allegations of racism and discrimination against Nigerian employees and others.
“I write to inform you that the Ministry receives a petition from the solicitor to the concerned workers and stakeholders of Seplat Energy Plc., accusing Mr Rogers Thomson Brown, the CEO of the companies, of various allegations,” Aregbesola said.
“These accusations include racism, favouring foreign workers and discriminating against Nigerian employees. Testimony was received from several witnesses, which supported the allegations.”
The Minister accused Brown of having a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) not based on a valid expatriate quota that violates the country’s immigration laws and regulations.
“Investigation and records in the Ministry also revealed that Mr Roger Brown had CERPAC that was not based on validly issued Expatriate Quota approved by the Ministry of Interior, resulting in the violation of relevant immigration laws and regulations.
“As a result of these, the honourable Minister has determined that Mr Brown’s continued stay in Nigeria is contrary to the national interest.”
Aregbesola also noted that Brown declined to attend the two invitations from the ministry’s panel during the investigation, claiming “to be unavailable even though we learnt he was in Abuja for other purposes at the time.”
Brown was appointed as the CEO of Seplat in 2020 after he joined the energy firm in 2013 as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambians have called on the country’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to reject the application by ZESCO Limited to revise the electricity tariffs for the multi-year period from 2023 to 2027.
The Energy Regulation Board on Thursday, March 10, 2023, held a public hearing on the proposal by the country’s power distribution company requesting for upward review of electricity tariffs.
According to a report filed by Diamondtvzambia.com, some Zambians who attended the programme kicked against the request by ZESCO.
The report said the Universal Mining Corporation Industrial Limited Shareholder Dr. Julius Kaoma, who was at the public hearing, stated the tariffs would cripple the operations of the industry if they are revised.
Ruth Henson, a Livingstone based Livestock farmer questioned the business models used by the power utility company that threatens the operations of its client base.
Meanwhile, Zesco Limited Head of Business Development Fitzpatrick Kapepe contends that revising the electricity tariffs will spur investment in economic sectors such as mining, industrial, agricultural and tourism.
Mr. Kapepe says failure to revise the electricity tariffs will make Zesco Limited unable to attain the cost reflectivity of its operational costs owing to its current debt portfolio.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Hundreds of residents of Accra and surrounding towns joined Ghana’s leading indigenous Oil Marketing Company (OMC), GOIL PLC, to embark on a 10-kilometre walk on Monday, 6th March 2023, to celebrate Ghana’s 66th Independence Day anniversary.
Dubbed ‘Walk with GOIL’, the 10 kilometres’ walk attracted individuals, associations, petroleum industry players and some banking sector players.
Among key personalities who featured in the walk were Mr Kwame Osei Prempeh, Managing Director and Group CEO of GOIL Plc, Professor Azumah Nelson, a former World Boxing Authority Champion, Mr John Boadu, former General Secretary of the governing NPP, and Board Member of GOIL Plc.
Reginald Daniel Laryea, Board Chairman of GOIL Plc, Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary of Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Dr Suleiman, International Petroleum consultant, and some officials of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC) joined in the walk.
The participants trekked from the El-Wak Sports stadium through the Aviation Social Centre road, Airport roundabout, 37 Military Hospital road, Jubilee House, Switch back road and back to the El-wak Sports Stadium
Addressing the participants, the Managing Director and Group CEO of GOIL Plc commended the participants for taking time out of their busy schedule to join the company for the walk.
Mr Osei Prempeh said GOIL has been supportive of Ghana’s economic development by selling quality fuel to facilitate movement of goods and services.
He urged consumers to continue to patronise the services of GOIL Plc, saying, “GOIL sells the best fuel.”
Board Chairman of GOIL Plc, Reginald Daniel Laryea stressed the importance of fitness of staff and the workers, stating that “GOIL is nothing without you. You make GOIL happy when you patronise our products because you believe in quality and preserving the life span of your vehicles. We thank you for making the right choice all the time.”
GOIL’s Brand Ambassador, Professor Azumah Nelson suggested regular exercises and urged the participants especially staff and management of GOIL, to continue keeping fit because it would help keep everyone away from doctors.
Prizes were awarded to individuals who distinguished themselves during the walk, including the most enduring participants aged between 65–70 years, and others who walked briskly during the 10km distance.
The topmost prizes were the ‘Good Energy Award’, ‘the Brand Ambassador Award’ and the ‘Group CEO Award’.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
GRIDCo Ladies Association, a female staff association of Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, have marked the 2023 International Women’s Day in Tema.
Speakers at the event called on them to build their capacity in the area of technology to remain employable.
International Women’s Day is an annual event and it is celebrated across the world.
The United Nations (UN) theme for this year’s IWD is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.
In a speech read by Ing Mark Baah, Director for Southern Sector, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi, he acknowledged the contribution of the female workforce towards the growth of the company.
He noted that in 2008, the company’s female workforce was about three per cent but the figure has increased to about 19 per cent in 2023.
He said the female staff are working in both technical and non-technical departments of the company.
According to the CEO, the company is committed to increasing the number of women in the company and called on women to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses to give them the advantage of being recruited.
Ing. Mark Baah, Director for Southern Sector at GRIDCo
The President of GRIDCo Ladies Association (GRIDLASS), Mrs. Azara Amadu said although technology and innovation have historically been less accessible and less friendly towards women, they cannot ignore the reality of the world today.
“Technology and innovation are at the forefront of progress, and we must embrace it to achieve the development and equality we seek,” she advised.
“As women, we must take conscious steps to integrate innovation and technology into our lives and work. We can draw inspiration from the words of Michelle Obama, a former First Lady of America who believes that “there is no limit to what we women can accomplish” We are taking our first step towards change today, by embracing digital innovation and technology.”
The National President of EGC’s Power Queens Club Queen, Doreen Gyebi said current trends indicate that the world is speedily moving towards digitalisation in all aspects of human life.
She said women must be aware of this new global direction, embrace it, fully acquaint themselves with it and utilise it effectively and efficiently for growth and advancement.
“This way, the woman can be impactful and relevant in a gender-competitive environment and society,” she stressed.
Ing Nana Yaa Obenewa Okudzeto, who was the keynote speaker, reminded GRIDCo ladies that technology is now driving work and encouraged them to take advantage and build their capacity in order not to be left behind.
She challenged them to continue to build on their professional career to compete for equal opportunities stating that “reluctant to innovate makes you stagnate.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Fuel prices are likely to drop further significantly in the next pricing window from 16th March 2023 as two more cargoes of fuel under the government’s gold for oil programme arrive.
According to sources within BOST, two cargoes of fuel comprising 35,000 metric tons of gasoline and 40,000 metric tons of gasoil arrived at the Tema Port on 25th February and 3rd March 2023.
The products have since been discharged into the storage facilities of BOST.
Already, crude oil prices have declined marginally, with Brent selling around $82 per barrel while WTI is sold at $76 per barrel as of Thursday morning.
The local currency, the cedi, has also witnessed some stability over the last few days.
Last week, Oil Marketing Companies adjusted their pump prices downward with diesel and petrol currently sold between Gh¢12.90 and Gh¢13.80 respectively.
Petrosol, one of the best indigenous Oil Marketing Companies, is selling petrol at Gh¢13.49 per litre while diesel is being sold at Gh¢13.57 per litre.
Engen is selling diesel at Gh¢13.77 per litre while petrol is sold at Gh¢13.69 per litre.
Star Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢12.99 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢12.99 per litre.
Puma Energy is selling petrol at Gh13.19 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh13.59.
Alinco oil is selling petrol at Gh¢12.90 while diesel is sold at Gh¢12.90
Duke’s petroleum is selling petrol at Gh¢13.08 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢13.40 per litre.
Goodness is selling petrol at Gh¢ 12.90 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢12.90 per litre.
Lucky oil is selling petrol at Gh¢13.50 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢13.50 per litre.
Allied is selling petrol at Gh¢13.16 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢13.46 per litre.
Cash oil is selling petrol at Gh¢13.19 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢13.49 per litre.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya’s plan to have the government take over all imports of petroleum products from private companies has been challenged in court, with several petitioners seeking a ruling that the nationalization of the oil imports is unconstitutional.
Kenya decided to go with the plan to have all oil imports nationalized after a severe foreign exchange reserves crunch left the African country with just four months’ worth of foreign currency to cover imports.
So, the government and the energy ministry are seeking to take over all imports and pay for the supplies after at least six months, compared to payments due within a week per the current imports scheme.
However, four petitioners have filed an objection to the plan in court, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing a filing made by Ndegwa & Ndegwa Advocates on behalf of the petitioners.
The nationalization of oil imports “amounts to unfair practice as an unconscionable representation that is excessively one sided” and favors the supplier rather than the consumer, the court documents say.
The Kenyan government should have thought of better ways to stabilize the bleeding of U.S. dollars instead of kicking private oil marketing firms out of business, according to the filing carried by Bloomberg.
Earlier this week, Kenya issued the first tender for oil imports under the new plan, with 180 days between product delivery and payment settlement.
Kenya is now seeking government-to-government contracts to procure oil products following the crash of the Kenyan currency and the acute shortage of foreign exchange reserves.
The winner in this first tender will supply oil to Kenya for nine months and will be paid every six months, Daniel Kiptoo, director general of energy industry regulator EPRA told Reuters.
“By doing that we alleviate the pressure by removing a third of the demand for dollars in the market,” Kiptoo added.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Finance Manager of Ghana’s premier oil refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has died, energynewsafrica.com can confirm.
The sudden demise of Frank Oppong has shocked the staff of the refinery and they are yet to come to terms with his death.
According to sources within the refinery, the late Frank Oppong reported to work last Thursday and returned home after the closing of work only for staff to be informed late in the night that he had died.
It is not yet clear what killed him but sources within the refinery told energynewsafrica.com that he told a few people last Thursday that he was not feeling well.
The late Frank Oppong, who was a Finance Manager in charge of payroll, according to some staff, was lovely and accommodating.
A source told energynewsafrica.com that he was the next person to replace the Finance Director, Daniel Appiah, who will be retiring in the next couple of weeks.
Some of the workers took to social media platforms to express their grief.
Norwegian oil firm, AGM Petroleum, has relinquished its interest in the South Deep Water Tano (SDWT) block offshore the Republic of Ghana in a bid to depart the West African nation.
The company disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, March 6, 2023.
AGM Petroleum holds an 80 per cent interest in the SDWT block while GNPC has a 15 per cent stake with Quad Energy holding the remaining 15 per cent.
It would be recalled that two years ago, the current Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh submitted to Ghana’s Parliament a proposal on behalf of Ghana’s national oil company, GNPC, to seek approval for a loan of $1.6 billion to acquire 37 per cent stake in the Deep Water Tano Cape Three Point (DWT/CTP) block operated by Aker Energy Ghana Limited and 70 per cent stake in the South Deep Water Tano (SDWT) block operated by AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited.
The two acquisitions were to cost Ghana about $1.3 billion.
However, the cost of the acquisition was contested by Civil Society Groups in the country led by African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and IMANI Africa.
The group argued that the cost of the acquisition should not be more than $300 million.
Interestingly, after almost two years, the company, in an official statement issued, Per -Kjetil Skare, CEO of AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited, said, “AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited (AGM) and its owners have decided to relinquish the South Deep Water Tano (SDWT) block after carefully considering all options.
“AGM has carried out the substantial activity in Ghana and contributed through drilling two ultra-deepwater wells including the Nyankom discovery and matured the subsurface understanding to the benefit of the Ghanaian authorities and other industry players. Further, AGM has carried out CSR investments and fulfilled all of the obligations under the petroleum agreement.”
The SDWT block is situated in ultra-deep waters with substantial investments required to proceed.
According to the statement, a relinquishment conclusion is a normal conclusion for exploration blocks like SDWT, and the petroleum regime in Ghana presumes that the operator has to decide to drill or drop at specific times during the exploration period.
The company said it is an independent company and the decision has no implication for Aker Energy’s plans in Ghana.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
In a stunning move, Aker’s AGM has relinquished its 80% interest in the South Deepwater Tano Block. This comes after a long and hard-fought battle by Ghanaian civil society organizations (CSOs) to protect the country’s interests in the oil industry.
The battle began in August 2021, when CSOs rallied on fascinating advocacy projects to prevent a composite transaction that would transfer Aker’s interest in the Pecan field and the SDWT block to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). The SDWT Block was valued at an outrageous $700 million at 65% commercial risking ($804m unrisked), based on untested and unappraised Nyankom discovery and bizarre assumptions about contingent resources of about 421 MMbls.
When CSOs’ analytical evidence showed that Ghanaian politicians and GNPC were simply seeking to pervert standard practices in the oil industry on valuation and asset acquisition, we were faced with a super coordinated assault on our character by leading members of government, GNPC, sections of the media and members of parliament. Also, some academics and dark forces on the corridors of power, who had never commented on the oil industry but suddenly became industry experts, endorsed the transaction and vilified activists.
On the side of the government, we were always prepared for their defence, even though their defence lost decorum and respect for the work of the civil society group. In some instances, we were described as having eaten fufu (a local Ghanaian dish) and lost reasoning. They sponsored high-profile prime-time interviews to tell the nations that CSOs only sought to derail the best decision ever taken in the oil industry.
I could appreciate the government’s defence. They had a deal to defend even if it appeared shady from their body language and deliberate deviation from facts of our arguments to emotional appeal to the nation.
We had our share of the attack in parliament. One MP, Honourable K.T. Hammond, now Minister for Trade in the Republic, described CSOs as ignorant people struggling to appreciate that the oil industry is technical. However, he made no technical presentation on the floor of parliament to defend his support for the transaction and at least attempt to debunk the specific issues raised by CSOs.
I must acknowledge that parliament made a significant intervention. Despite approving a $1.1 billion cap for GNPC to renegotiate the transaction, which CSOs argued could not be worth more than $300 million, I commend some members, particularly the majority leader Honourable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the then minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, for making crucial interventions to reject the Minister of Energy’s request for a blank cheque to borrow about $1.65 billion for GNPC in his memo (Fig. 1). Instead, they insisted that the records of proceedings should reflect that the Minister would return to parliament with a negotiated price informed by a genuinely independent valuation. In addition, parliament demanded that the ensuing loan agreement be resubmitted for approval.
Fig 1: Excerpts of Energy Minster’s Memo to Cabinet and Parliament
The demands of parliament extended the advocacy window for CSOs to defend the interest of the state, mindful of the fact that the “borrowing hands” were ready for the parliamentary approval.
The most surprising part of the entire advocacy was the role some media houses and personalities played in pushing the transaction. They described CSOs as “anti-Ghana CSOs”. They infiltrated meetings of CSOs and cunningly spliced the voices of CSOs leaders to blackmail the advocacy.
Thankfully, the resilience of the CSO group and activists attracted the knowledge of Lukoil, a 38% interest holder in the pecan field, who were not informed of the transaction. Lukoil threw in the wrench seeking to be engaged in accordance with good practice and the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) covering the Pecan Field partnership. This singular act would occasion significant disagreements and back and forth, bolstering the advocacy for transparency on the transaction until it became untenable for government to proceed.
Interestingly, after 18 months, Aker Energy has written to relinquish its interest in the AGM block to Ghana for free. This reinforces CSOs position that the Nyankom discovery announced without effort to test the well was speculative and potentially non-commercial in ultra-deep waters. GNPC could not have been betting on the interest of Ghana.
After several delays and an inability to develop the pecan field, which coincided with regulatory constipation, the ministry of Energy is now demanding that Aker presents its Plan of development (PoD) for the Pecan field by April 15. This is after ten extensions have been granted to the company for various excuses.
It is now clear that CSOs were not anti-Ghana. On the contrary, we looked out for the right thing to be done in the interest of the country. If Ghana had borrowed $1.3 billion, 43% of what the country needs from the IMF for GNPC, the fiscal situation would have been far worse than it is today.
Sadly, the situation appears to provide no lessons for the political class as a new scramble to own the relinquished interest unfolds. As a result, the CSOs have a new task of ensuring that a transparent process results in the reassignment of the interest.
Long live advocates and activists who, against the odds, fight for the national interest.
Benjamin Boakye
Executive Director
Africa Centre for Energy Policy
Shell Plc’s new CEO Wael Sawan has said cutting oil and gas output would be bad for consumers, echoing a pivot by other major producers toward fossil fuels and energy security.
“I am of a firm view that the world will need oil and gas for a long time to come,” Wael Sawan said in an interview with Times Radio on Friday. “As such, cutting oil and gas production is not healthy.”
Europe’s largest energy majors are increasingly echoing the strategies of their less climate-minded American peers and leaning into the oil and gas businesses that drove record profits last year and payouts to their shareholders.
BP Plc, Shell’s closest peer, said last month that it would slow the planned decline in its oil and gas production to guarantee the reliability of energy supply following the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The company’s shareholders applauded the news by sending BP’s shares up about 17% since the announcement.
The renewed emphasis on fossil fuels follows a year of high and volatile prices after Russia’s invasion disrupted gas supplies and the recovery of economies from the Covid-19 pandemic drove demand for oil.
“We’ve seen of course through 2022 the fragility of the energy system,” Sawan said. “To see prices start to skyrocket, that’s not healthy for anyone, particularly consumers.”
But at the same time, CO2 emissions rose to a record last year, meaning the world will need to move even faster if it wants to achieve its climate targets and avoid the worst impacts of global warming. To do that would require a steep cut in demand for oil and eventually gas as well.
Under Sawan’s predecessor, Ben van Beurden, Shell had a target to reduce oil production by 1% to 2% per year, a pace that it’s more than achieved. Much of those declines are attributed to a reconfiguring of Shell’s production portfolio to shed lower-margin assets. That approach will continue under Sawan, who’s committed to boosting value for shareholders.
“We focus on value over volume,” Sawan said. “So it’s not how many barrels we’re producing, but the margin that we extract from the barrels we produce.”
Sawan said the company remains committed to a strategy to invest in both oil and gas as well as low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies.
Source: Worldoil.com
An explosion that occurred at Rumuekpe in Emeoha Local Government Area of Rivers in the Republic of Nigeria on Friday morning has reportedly left 12 people, including women and children dead.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred at about 2 a.m. at a crude oil tapping point.
It said the Public Relations Officer in Rivers, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident in Port Harcourt, said, however, that the casualty figure had not yet been ascertained.
”I have called the DPO and he said he would go around with his patrol team and get back to me. Just wait and let me get the details,” she said.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred as a bus loaded with some siphoned crude went up in flames as it was leaving the spot for an illegal refinery in the area.
Fyneface Dumnamene, executive director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, said a spark from the exhaust pipe of a bus loaded with gallons of crude oil ignited the explosion as the driver attempted to depart.
“Everybody in about five vehicles there was all burnt,” Dumnamene told The Associated Press (AP).
Illegal refineries are a lucrative business in Nigeria, one of Africa’s top oil producers. They are more rampant in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, where most of the nation’s oil facilities are located.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Female Engineers working with Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, have commemorated the 2023 edition of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science (IDWIGS).
The engineers interacted with girls in Junior High Schools in Tema and encouraged them to consider choosing studies in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The programme was organised by the Science Education Unit (National STEM Centre) of the Ghana Education Service in collaboration with UNESCO.
The event was under the theme; ‘Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance (I.D.E.A.) – Bringing communities forward for sustainable and equitable development.’
President of GRIDCo Ladies Association (GRIDLASS), Azara Amadu who led the delegation from GRIDCo, commended the organisers for giving GRIDCo the opportunity to participate in such an important mentorship programme.
She urged the young girls to take their studies seriously.
Other members of the delegation took turns to motivate the youngsters to take up STEM courses.
In a brief presentation, Senior Electrical Engineer, Sheila Bortey-Kharis elaborated on GRIDCo’s role in the electricity value chain and explained that GRIDCo’s operations support clean energy, which is in line with SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy).
She concluded by encouraging young girls to pick up challenging tasks and not limit their abilities, since they have the capacity to accomplish all complicated tasks.
A Principal Electrical Engineer, Pearl Elikem Obuo encouraged the pupils to develop an interest in pursuing engineering courses. Importantly, she urged them to work hard, and be observant and curious.
“Engineering is not difficult, as perceived by many. As a career, engineering is now flexible, allowing women to practice while maintaining a balanced social life”, Alberta Mukaronda, Supervising Technician Engineer said.
“Many efforts are being made to increase female participation in engineering and the sciences. I motivate you, young girls to be the change that society expects, by getting involved in the process”, Harriet Owusu–Banie, Senior Electrical Engineer noted.
The female Engineers pledged their availability in mentoring the girls in the field of engineering.
Doreen Ampadu, Electrical Engineer particularly volunteered to be a personal mentor to the girls.
Other members of the delegation were, Mrs. Naa Borteley, Principal Administrative Officer, Corporate Services Branch and Mrs. Ruth Abanga, Administrative Officer, Corporate Communications.
The Chairperson for the event, Mrs. Christiana Ablakwa and Mrs. Bernice Ofori, Director of Education for Tema Metro ended the programme, by urging the girls to develop an interest in Mathematics and Science and also take their studies seriously.
IDWIGS 2023 is in alignment with four Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), namely; 6 – clean water and sanitation; 7 – affordable and clean energy; 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure, and 11 – sustainable cities and communities.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Colombians protesting the poor state of roads took more than 80 police officers and oil workers hostage after raiding an oil field owned by a unit of China’s Sinochem Group, according to local media reports.
A policeman and a civilian are dead.
Social media videos show how the unarmed police were placed in a truck Thursday and taken away.
Clashes between communities and the police began after a group broke into the oil field owned by Emerald Energy, a subsidiary of Sinochem.
They set installations on fire to protest a lack of road repairs that the government and Emerald had allegedly promised more than a year ago, according to Caracol Noticias.
The oil field is in the Amazonian province of Caqueta in southern Colombia.
Colombia’s oil industry has a history of violence from rebel groups and resistance from local communities, which makes it even harder for the country to reverse declining production of oil, a key source of export revenue.
President Gustavo Petro said Friday on Twitter that Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez will lead efforts to stop the violence from San Jose del Caguan.
In separate tweets, he asked the Red Cross to help attend to those taken hostage and blamed the violence on “groups that want to destroy this government and plunge Colombia into war.”
Sinochem didn’t reply to several requests for comment.
The Colombian Oil and Gas Association, known as ACP, said in a statement it condemns the acts of violence in the Capella A field, which is part of the Ombu block, adding that it has suffered from blockages in the past 40 days.
Source: Worldoil.com
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has discovered an oilfield in the Bohai Sea that contains one hundred million tons of reserves.
Bozhong 26-6 oilfield is in the south of Bohai Sea, with an average water depth of 22 m.
The main oil-bearing play is Archean buried hill and the oil property is light crude.
The discovery well BZ26-6-2 was drilled and completed at a depth of 4,480 me, which encountered a total of 321.3 meters oil pay zones.
The well was tested to produce an average of approximately 2,040 barrels of crude oil and 11.45 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Mr. Xu Changgui, Deputy Chief Exploration Engineer of the Company, said, “Bozhong 26-6 oilfield is the third oilfield discovery with hundred million tons of reserves in southern Bohai Sea after Kenli 6-1 and Kenli 10-2. It is identified as the largest metamorphic buried hill oilfield in China. The discovery demonstrates the broad prospect of exploration for subtle buried hills in the Bohai Sea, providing important guidance for exploration in similar basins.”
Mr. Zhou Xinhuai, CEO of the Company, said, “Bohai Sea has been one of the targeted areas of exploration for the Company. We will keep looking for mid-to-large sized oil and gas fields and continue to discover new momentum for offshore oil and gas developments, helping to fortify the resource foundation for the high-quality and sustainable development of the Company.”
Source: Worldoil.com
Mr Osei Prempeh said GOIL has been supportive of Ghana’s economic development by selling quality fuel to facilitate movement of goods and services.
He urged consumers to continue to patronise the services of GOIL Plc, saying, “GOIL sells the best fuel.”
Board Chairman of GOIL Plc, Reginald Daniel Laryea stressed the importance of fitness of staff and the workers, stating that “GOIL is nothing without you. You make GOIL happy when you patronise our products because you believe in quality and preserving the life span of your vehicles. We thank you for making the right choice all the time.”
GOIL’s Brand Ambassador, Professor Azumah Nelson suggested regular exercises and urged the participants especially staff and management of GOIL, to continue keeping fit because it would help keep everyone away from doctors.
Prizes were awarded to individuals who distinguished themselves during the walk, including the most enduring participants aged between 65–70 years, and others who walked briskly during the 10km distance.
The topmost prizes were the ‘Good Energy Award’, ‘the Brand Ambassador Award’ and the ‘Group CEO Award’.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Fig 1: Excerpts of Energy Minster’s Memo to Cabinet and Parliament
The demands of parliament extended the advocacy window for CSOs to defend the interest of the state, mindful of the fact that the “borrowing hands” were ready for the parliamentary approval.
The most surprising part of the entire advocacy was the role some media houses and personalities played in pushing the transaction. They described CSOs as “anti-Ghana CSOs”. They infiltrated meetings of CSOs and cunningly spliced the voices of CSOs leaders to blackmail the advocacy.
Thankfully, the resilience of the CSO group and activists attracted the knowledge of Lukoil, a 38% interest holder in the pecan field, who were not informed of the transaction. Lukoil threw in the wrench seeking to be engaged in accordance with good practice and the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) covering the Pecan Field partnership. This singular act would occasion significant disagreements and back and forth, bolstering the advocacy for transparency on the transaction until it became untenable for government to proceed.
Interestingly, after 18 months, Aker Energy has written to relinquish its interest in the AGM block to Ghana for free. This reinforces CSOs position that the Nyankom discovery announced without effort to test the well was speculative and potentially non-commercial in ultra-deep waters. GNPC could not have been betting on the interest of Ghana.
After several delays and an inability to develop the pecan field, which coincided with regulatory constipation, the ministry of Energy is now demanding that Aker presents its Plan of development (PoD) for the Pecan field by April 15. This is after ten extensions have been granted to the company for various excuses.
It is now clear that CSOs were not anti-Ghana. On the contrary, we looked out for the right thing to be done in the interest of the country. If Ghana had borrowed $1.3 billion, 43% of what the country needs from the IMF for GNPC, the fiscal situation would have been far worse than it is today.
Sadly, the situation appears to provide no lessons for the political class as a new scramble to own the relinquished interest unfolds. As a result, the CSOs have a new task of ensuring that a transparent process results in the reassignment of the interest.
Long live advocates and activists who, against the odds, fight for the national interest.
Benjamin Boakye
Executive Director
Africa Centre for Energy Policy
A Principal Electrical Engineer, Pearl Elikem Obuo encouraged the pupils to develop an interest in pursuing engineering courses. Importantly, she urged them to work hard, and be observant and curious.
“Engineering is not difficult, as perceived by many. As a career, engineering is now flexible, allowing women to practice while maintaining a balanced social life”, Alberta Mukaronda, Supervising Technician Engineer said.
“Many efforts are being made to increase female participation in engineering and the sciences. I motivate you, young girls to be the change that society expects, by getting involved in the process”, Harriet Owusu–Banie, Senior Electrical Engineer noted.
The female Engineers pledged their availability in mentoring the girls in the field of engineering.
Doreen Ampadu, Electrical Engineer particularly volunteered to be a personal mentor to the girls.
Other members of the delegation were, Mrs. Naa Borteley, Principal Administrative Officer, Corporate Services Branch and Mrs. Ruth Abanga, Administrative Officer, Corporate Communications.
The Chairperson for the event, Mrs. Christiana Ablakwa and Mrs. Bernice Ofori, Director of Education for Tema Metro ended the programme, by urging the girls to develop an interest in Mathematics and Science and also take their studies seriously.
IDWIGS 2023 is in alignment with four Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), namely; 6 – clean water and sanitation; 7 – affordable and clean energy; 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure, and 11 – sustainable cities and communities.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 