Equatorial Guinea Assumes OPEC Presidency In 2023

The Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, will take over as the President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2023, reestablishing Africa as a leading powerhouse in the global oil industry. Among the largest producers of oil in Africa, Equatorial Guinea has seen exponential GDP growth as a result of its oil industry, with exports having been central towards driving the economy and socioeconomic development in the country. As such, in the wake of a new era of cooperation and partnership-building in the continent, Minister Obiang Lima’s appointment as OPEC President is expected to facilitate a platform that will advance the interest of African oil and gas explorers and producers and all OPEC members. As an intergovernmental organization OPEC holds significant influence over the global oil market. The organization and its member states account for nearly 40% of global oil supply and thus, have a critical role to play regarding market stabilization. Having assumed the presidency, Equatorial Guinea will not only hold a more prominent position in the global energy arena, but will be able to voice an African perspective within the organization itself. The country has been proactive in strengthening ties with both OPEC and non-OPEC country members, reaffirming its position as an important regional and international energy partner. Now, holding the OPEC Presidency, Equatorial Guinea will be able to actively influence decision-making in both the region’s, and wider continent’s favor, while promoting the challenges faced and opportunities present within Africa’s energy industry. “We at the African Energy Chamber (AEC) are very pleased to see the appointment of Gabriel Obiang Lima as the President of OPEC,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding, “With a global climate that is pushing Africa and OPEC countries to abandon oil and gas, demand for oil and gas is increasing especially in emerging economies that need to industrialize, eradicate energy poverty and promote clean cooking.” Added Ayuk “What Africa and the world needs more than anything right now is market stability. We are confident that Minister Obiang Lima will work with all OPEC member countries to ensure the needs of producers and consumers are met,” Ayuk concluded. Previously held by the Republic of the Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, whose tenure and skilled leadership at OPEC led to a new era of market stability for Africa, the appointment of Minister Obiang Lima is poised to demonstrate the continent’s steadfast commitment to working with a variety of stakeholders under the common goal of making energy poverty history in Africa by 2030.  For his part, Minister Obiang Lima has and continues to work towards bringing energy security to the African continent as a whole. He has served in the oil and gas sector since 1997 with past positions including Minister Delegate, Vice Minister, Secretary of State for Mines and Hydrocarbons, and Presidential Advisor of Hydrocarbons for Equatorial Guinea.      

Price Cap On Russian Oil Comes Into Effect

The price cap of $60 per barrel for Russian oil devised by the G7 and supported by the European Union comes into effect today, aiming to curb Russia’s revenues from oil exports while keeping flows into the international market flowing. The cap was agreed upon just before the deadline by the European Union after holdouts including Poland and Estonia refused to agree to the originally proposed range of between $65 and $70 per barrel that came from Washington. In addition to the price cap, the EU has imposed an embargo on maritime imports of Russian crude, effective today. Per the price cap, Russia can export crude oil, ship it, and insure it using the services of Western companies only if it sells it at $60 per barrel or less. Because all the biggest shipping and insurance companies are based in Western Europe and the U.S., the authors of the cap assumed it would be enough to bind Russia to its conditions. Russia, however, has stated it will not sell oil to countries enforcing the price cap and reiterated this statement this weekend. “We are working on mechanisms to prohibit the use of a price cap instrument, regardless of what level is set, because such interference could further destabilise the market,” Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said yesterday, as quoted by Reuters. “We will sell oil and petroleum products only to those countries that will work with us under market conditions, even if we have to reduce production a little,” he also said. Novak had previously said that Russia is prepared to reduce oil production if that becomes necessary in the context of a price cap. Analysts are unsure if the price cap will have an immediate effect on Russian oil sales, with Reuters noting the wide discount to Brent at which Russian crude trades.     Source: Oilprice.com  

Italy Expects To Raise $4.2 Billion From Windfall Tax And Power Price Cap

The Italian government expects to raise around $4.2 billion (4 billion euros) from a new windfall tax on energy companies and a price cap on the electricity produced by coal, fuel oil, or renewable power generation, officials at the central bank, Bank of Italy, said on Monday.   “With these measures the support to households and businesses will be partially funded through additional revenues stemming from those that have benefited from the extraordinary increase in energy prices,” Bank of Italy official Fabrizio Balassone said at a Parliament hearing on the budget measures for the period 2023-2025.   Next year, Italy plans to impose a one-off windfall tax of 50% on the extra income energy firms have booked as a result of the rise in oil and gas prices. The tax is 50% of the part of 2022 income which is at least 10% higher than the average income reported between 2018 and 2021, in the latest version of the windfall tax plan seen by Reuters. According to the Bank of Italy, the government will raise $2.74 billion (2.6 billion euros) from the windfall tax, and another $1.48 billion (1.4 billion euros) from a price cap on electricity production from coal, fuel oil, and renewables. The price cap, which will be in place between December 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, is at $190 (180 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh), per EU regulations. The budget, the first for Italy’s new government led by Giorgia Meloni, looks to impose higher windfall taxes on energy days after the UK also raised its taxes on oil and gas producers operating in the North Sea and expanded the windfall tax to include low-cost electricity generators.  Last month, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said in the Autumn Statement that the UK is raising the Energy Profits Levy by 10 percentage points to 35% from January 1, 2023, and is extending it to the end of March 2028, from December 31, 2025, as originally planned when the levy was 25%. The government expects the Energy Profits Levy to raise over £40 billion by 2027-28. The UK government also imposed a temporary 45% Electricity Generator Levy that will be applied to the extraordinary returns being made by electricity generators.  Last month, Austria also unveiled plans to impose a windfall tax on energy firms, including a tax of up to 40% for oil and gas companies.     Source: Oilprice.com    

Ghana: Akua Sakyi, BPA Corporate Affairs Team, Honoured

0
The Corporate Affairs Manager of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), Madam Akua Sakyi, was on Saturday, honoured with the ‘Shero in Communication’ award at the 4th Edition of the National Communications Awards 2022 held in Accra. The BPA Corporate Affairs Unit, which Akua Sakyi heads, was also recognised and honoured for its exceptional performance and impact in the public sector, especially in the energy industry. Akua joined Bui Power Authority in 2020 and has spearheaded BPA’s communication and engagements with its stakeholders and positioned the Authority as the leader in Renewable Energy Sector in Ghana and beyond.
Akua Sakyi (Right) receiving her award
She is a lawyer by a profession and has over 20 years of experience in administration, communication, event management, protocol and secretarial functions. Her experience cuts across the government sector, multinational companies, the private sector and foreign missions. The National Communications Awards is a high-impact communication and development event produced by RAD Communications Limited to celebrate and honour Champions in Communications, Telecom, Digitalisation, Corporate Communication, and Cybersecurity, amongst others.  Receiving the awards, Akua Sakyi and the Corporate Affairs team took the opportunity to thank the CEO of Bui Power Authority, Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, who has created a congenial atmosphere and under whose leadership and guidance the Corporate Affairs Team continues to work and strive for excellence. They also took the opportunity to thank the Board, Management and staff of Bui Power Authority for their continuous support.    Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: GRIDCo Targets 40% Women Workforce By 2030

0
Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, has set a target to achieve about 40 per cent of women being part of its core business by 2030. To achieve this target, GRIDCo says it has collaborated with USAID, through the Engendering Utilities Programme, and designed tailored interventions that will help to grow the number of women in their technology space. The company is also collaborating with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) College of Engineering and contributing to its endowment fund to support the training and development of fresh engineers with an emphasis on the training of female engineers. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Daniel Amartey, an advisor to the CEO, at the Women in Energy Conference last Week. The 4th Women in Energy Transition, which was held in Accra, the capital of Ghana, attracted women in energy from both public and private sector institutions. It was under the theme ‘Energy Transition: Prospects for Women in Energy’. The GRIDCo CEO said the company is fully aware of the input and impact of women being on its engineering and operations business and would, therefore, do everything possible to increase their numbers in the organisation. He noted that at the inception of GRIDCo, there were a limited number of women who were involved in the core business of the company. However, after fourteen years in operation, the number of female staff has changed significantly, and women are engaged in almost every sphere of GRIDCo’s operations. The country’s energy sector, in the past, was male dominated but the last three decades have witnessed appreciable growth in the number of women permeating the sector.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Nigeria: AEDC Cuts Power Supply To Niger Delta Over N1.3bn Debt

0
Nigeria’s power distribution company, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has disconnected electricity supply to Government agencies in Niger Delta State over their inability to settle unpaid N1.3 billion ($2,923,700) electricity bills. The company said it had no other choice but to disconnect supply as the debt had been long overdue. “We have no other option than to disconnect supply to the Government House, ministries, departments and agencies over the accumulated unpaid electricity bills totalling N1.3 billion as at September,”  Mr Aminu Ubandoma, the company’s legal officer, said as carried by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He continued that “The government released N200 million of the outstanding debt in September and promised to pay N100 million monthly until it offsets the debt. “It failed to meet the obligation, however. “The debt notwithstanding, the government has been up to date since then in offsetting its current monthly bills of about N75 million. “We took the decision to disconnect supply since government reneged on its promise to pay outstanding debt at the rate of N100 million monthly. “That promise was made after an intervention by the state’s House of Assembly four months ago,’’ Ubandoma said. He said the AEDC would restore power supply to government facilities only after the payment of at least N500 million of the outstanding debt. Reacting to the development, the Secretary to Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane said the state government has promised to settle the debt when is finances improved. “This debt was inherited by the current administration and since government is a continuum, we will settle it when government’s financial position improves. “We have invested more than N13 billion on the procurement of many facilities for the AEDC to enable it to perform optimally. “The company should have commended the state government for its useful contribution to its growth rather than embarking on mass disconnection of supply to government facilities,’’ he said. Matane cautioned the AEDC against disconnecting power supply to the state’s Water Board and to hospitals as government would not tolerate such action. “We will not tolerate disconnection of power supply to such important sectors as the state government had invested so much to ensure uninterrupted water supply and effective healthcare delivery. “Why would the company deny such critical sectors power supply if not for sabotage?” he queried.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Angola, Sierra Leone Sign Cooperation Agreement On Oil &Gas

Angola’s National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) and Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Directorate have signed a historic cooperation agreement at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2022 Conference & Exhibition in Luanda. This is with a view to establishing a shared commitment to promoting and intensifying collaboration across the oil and gas sector. The MoU was signed by Paulino Jerónimo, President of the ANPG, and Foday Mansaray, Director General of Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Directorate. The Memorandum of Understanding serves to outline opportunities for bilateral trade and investment; position oil and gas cooperation as mutually beneficial economically, technologically, socially and environmentally for both countries; and reaffirm stronger economic, cultural and social ties between Angola and Sierra Leone. As the largest oil producer on the African continent, Angola has been on a path of fostering pan-African energy diplomacy, executing diplomatic visits to and signing a series of cooperation agreements with new and existing hydrocarbon producers across the region. These agreements have targeted policy alignment, knowledge sharing and enhanced trade and investment across energy and non-energy sectors like. “The MoU signals new opportunities for bilateral cooperation across the trade, energy and economic sectors between Angola and Sierra Leone. We are proud to collaborate with the Petroleum Directorate and are excited for what lies ahead for both nations. With this agreement, we can enhance the very industries that will drive Africa into a new era of economic progress,” Paulino Jerónimo stated. Sierra Leone, for its part, is seeking to advance in its nascent oil and gas sector, having launched a licensing round last May, offering over 63,000 square kilometers of highly prospective acreage. The West African country is home to a working petroleum system that was supported by small-scale oil and gas discoveries, before exploration was put on pause around 2015/2016. “This partnership with Angola is of uttermost importance as it creates and broadens opportunities for Sierra Leone to significantly expand its burgeoning oil and gas industry on the back of cooperation and regional trade. With recent discoveries in the country laying the foundation for robust sectoral growth, Sierra Leone is optimistic that it can create a competitive energy market, and this agreement serves to only enhance this agenda,” Foday Mansaray said. One of the key components of the AOG 2022 agenda – which continues through Thursday as Angola’s premier energy event and investment platform – is exploring and advancing opportunities for regional synergies, as the country confronts a national mandate to diversify its economy, process more of its raw materials in-country and increase trade with its neighbors.         Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Uganda: Police Arrest Scores Of Suspected Power Line Vandals

0
The police in Uganda have arrested scores of people who have vandalised part of transmission towers belonging to the country’s power transmission company, UETCL. The number of those arrested is, however, not known to this portal. In a post sighted on the Twitter page of UETCL, it said police conducted operations in Kisenyi and surrounding areas where suspected vandals were arrested and transmission tower members were recovered. “Let’s work together to put an end to vandalism,” the post concluded. Some unidentified persons have been vandalising power installations of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited for some time now. The sad development is costing the company huge sums of money. It is not yet clear why Ugandan citizens are destroying power installations.         Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: NPA Directs OMCs To Increase BOST, UPPF Margins

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has directed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Republic of Ghana to adjust the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF) and BOST Margins upward effective 1st December 2022. Per the NPA’s directive, UPPF and BOST Margins are to be increased by 11 pesewas and 2 pesewas respectively. This is expected to push the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene, premix fuel, Marine Gas Oil, Gasoil Mines and Gasoil rigs. “All Oil Marketing Companies and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Companies are to take note of the above review of the UPPF and BOST Margins and apply them in their Price Build-Up effective 1st December 2022,” a letter signed by Linda Asante, a deputy CEO of NPA, said. Fuel prices shot up significantly with diesel selling at Gh23.45 while petrol sold at Gh¢18.99 in October. However, prices have been dropping due to the stability of the Ghanaian cedi and the fall of crude oil prices on the international market. As of Thursday morning, most of the oil marketing companies adjusted their pump prices with diesel selling at Gh18.86 while petrol is selling at Gh¢15.41 per litre. The UPPF is used to support the efficient transportation of petroleum products around the country to ensure that price of the product are the same in every part of the country irrespective of the location. BOST Margin is a tax imposed on petroleum products used to cover the maintenance and operating cost of petroleum product depots and undertaking expansion programmes at depots.        Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Fuel Prices Reduced Significantly

Fuel prices at the pump have dropped significantly across the various filling stations in the Republic of Ghana, energynewsafrica.com can confirm. A litre of petrol is now selling at Gh¢15.49 while diesel is selling at Gh¢18.86. Previously, diesel sold at Gh¢19.77 while petrol sold at Gh¢16.26 per litre. However, due to the fall in crude oil prices on the world market and the stability of the Ghanaian cedi Oil Marketing Companies have reviewed their pump prices downward. As result, GOIL is now selling petrol at Gh¢15.41 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢18.86 per litre. TotalEnergies is selling petrol at Gh¢15.40 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢18.85 per litre. Shell is selling diesel at Gh¢ 18.99 per litre while petrol is sold at Gh¢15.49 per litre Petrosol is selling diesel at Gh¢18.84 per litre while petrol is being sold at Gh¢15.39 per litre. Star Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢14.88 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢18.69 per litre. Zen petroleum is selling petrol at Gh14.99 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh18.99. Puma is selling petrol at Gh¢15.29 while diesel is being sold at Gh¢18.49.                                                                                          Source: https://energynewsafrica.com          Source: https://energynewsafrica.com    

US Economic Professor Mocks Ghana…Says Plan To Use Gold To Buy Oil Is Bogus

A US-based Economic Professor and Currency expert at the Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke, has mocked Ghana over its proposed plan to use gold to purchase refined petroleum products. He described the proposed policy announced by the West African nation’s Vice President as bogus. Prof Hanke could not understand why the country wants to embark on something that can’t address the depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi. Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, last Thursday, posted on his official Facebook page that the Government of Ghana was making plans to use gold to buy oil products to address the cedi depreciation, which caused increases in fuel prices and economic hardships in the country. “Government is negotiating a new policy regime where our gold (rather than our US dollar reserves) will be used to buy oil products. “The barter of sustainably mined gold for oil is one of the most important economic policy changes in Ghana since independence. If we implement it as envisioned, it will fundamentally change our balance of payments and significantly reduce the persistent depreciation of our currency with its associated increases in fuel, electricity, water, transport, and food prices. This is because the exchange rate (spot or forward) will no longer directly enter the formula for the determination of fuel or utility prices since all the domestic sellers of fuel will no longer need foreign exchange to import oil products. “The barter of gold for oil represents a major structural change,” he said. Some civil society groups in the energy sector have expressed concerns over the issue, with some wondering about the feasibility of such a policy. Some claimed they are yet to be engaged as stakeholders in the energy industry. Reacting to the issue, Prof. Hanke wrote on Twitter that Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Bawumia, is grasping for straws. “VP of Ghana Mahamudu Bawumia unveiled a plan to buy oil with gold instead of the USD. Bawumia claims that his gold-for-oil plan “will reduce the persistent depreciation of our currency.” Bawumia is grasping for straws. His plan is Bogus.”         Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: PETROSOL Adjudged Petroleum Company Of The Year 2022

PETROSOL Ghana Ltd, a leading Ghanaian Oil Marketing Company (OMC), was adjudged the Energy Company of the Year 2022 for the petroleum category at the 2022 edition of the Ghana Energy Awards held in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The event had the Vice President, H.E Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as the Special Guest of Honour, as well as the Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, and some ambassadors in attendance. The Ghana Energy Awards annually recognises players in the energy sector who are demonstrating excellence in their operations. According to Ing Henry Tenor, the Event Director of the Ghana Energy Awards, PETROSOL was selected for the award out of other major players nominated in recognition of the high quality of its petroleum products; its delivery of an accurate quantity of fuel to consumers; its commitment to environmental sustainability; its high level of professionalism as well as the jobs it has created for the youth across the country. He indicated further that PETROSOL’s commitment to operating in line with best international practices was also a major factor, considering that the company has triple International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification for Quality Management System; Environmental Management System; and Occupational Health and Safety Management System. The Chief Executive Officer of PETROSOL, Michael Bozumbil expressed his delight at the recognition, especially coming from such highly respected energy sector awards organisers.  He dedicated the award to the cherished customers across the country who have demonstrated their confidence and loyalty to the PETROSOL brand over the years, as well as the dedicated dealers and staff whose hard work and commitment to duty have earned the company the award. Mr Bozumbil was also grateful to the regulators, as well as other key stakeholders for their support over the years. Mr Bozumbil further indicated that he and his team would not rest on their oars but remain focused on ensuring that they continue to deliver value for money to their customers and operate ethically through regulatory compliance and tax payment compliance. PETROSOL, which operates several fuel stations across the country, has won several awards for its commitment to best industry practices. It was recently congratulated by the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority for its tax compliance.       Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

U.S. Warns EU Members Against Setting Oil Price Cap Too Low

The United States has urged caution in the European Union’s discussions of a price cap on Russian crude, saying that the lower prices that have been cited in recent days may be misleading. Per a Reuters report, an unnamed U.S. official said that the price of $52 per barrel of Urals crude – Russia’s flagship blend – does not reflect the overall level at which Russian oil has been trading this year. The official then went on to explain that over the past two months Urals crude had been trading at a discount of between $23 and $17 to Brent crude, meaning its price was higher than $52 per barrel. Urals slipped to $52 a barrel last week, as Brent, WTI, and the other benchmarks also slid down on renewed concerns about Chinese oil demand. The warning, however, may be interpreted as one directed towards three European Union members that insist on setting the cap much lower than the $65-$70 per barrel proposed by Washington. Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania want the price for Russian crude to be capped at about $20 to $30 per barrel. That price point will hardly find any support among the rest of the European Union as it is Russia’s production cost for crude. If the EU does not reach an agreement on the price cap, it will put into effect an embargo on all Russian maritime imports of crude from next Monday. This appears not to be what Washington wants because it would shrink the availability of Russian oil on global markets, and lead to higher prices. Even if the EU agrees on the cap, the danger of lower oil supply remains and could even increase because Russia has stated it will not sell oil to countries enforcing the price cap.       Source: Oilprice.com

China Looks To Boost Energy Partnership With Russia

China is ready to work for a closer partnership with Russia in the energy sector, Chinese President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying on Tuesday, days before the EU embargo on seaborne imports of Russian crude oil and the G7-EU price cap on Russia’s oil are set to enter into force next week. “Energy cooperation is an important cornerstone of practical cooperation between China and Russia, and also a positive force for maintaining global energy security,” Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying in a letter to a China-Russia Energy Business Forum. “Xi also said the Chinese side stands ready to join hands with Russia to push for clean and green energy development, and safeguard international energy security and the stability of industrial and supply chains, thereby making new contributions to the long-term, healthy and sustainable development of the global energy market,” Xinhua reported. China is now the biggest outlet for Russia’s crude oil after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU bans and embargoes forced Moscow to re-route most of its crude exports to the biggest Asian buyers, China and India. China’s energy imports from Russia, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have reached $60 billion since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg reported earlier this month, up from $35 billion in the same period of 2021. China has become Russia’s biggest energy client alongside India, with both countries refusing to join the Western sanction push against Moscow and instead opting to continue doing business and forging closer political ties with Russia. Reports have emerged in recent weeks that some Chinese buyers have become wary of purchasing spot Russian cargoes loading after December 5, waiting for details about the price cap and the potential consequences for buyers. Still, China has no intention of joining any price cap mechanisms, and it is said to be demanding deep discounts from Russia for its crude.       Source: Oilprice.com