Ghana: $2 Million Transmission Loses Claim: BOST Sets The Records Straight
Ghana’s Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company Limited has refuted media reports suggesting that the company loses US $ 2 million on a monthly basis through transmission of petroleum products.
“We wish to state that, fuel distribution/transmission across the country is not done at the cost of BOST and the company cannot be said to be losing anything to transmission.
“The claim is unfounded and couldn’t have come from BOST.”
This was contained in a statement issued by Marlick Adjei, Head of Communication and External Affairs, in response to the issue.
BOST explained that the distribution of petroleum products across the country is a two-stage process-primary and secondary distribution.
Both stages are funded fully by specific taxes in the petroleum price build-up which is collected by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and paid through the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the regulator of the petroleum downstream.
The company said transport service providers present their bills with supporting documents to BOST and the claims are made on the fund at the NPA.
The funds received are then paid to the transporters less the value of any shortages recorded in the values they successfully deliver at the various BOST depots.
“Primary distribution/transmission is the movement of product from the BOST receiving
depot to other BOST depots across the country. This is funded by the Primary Distribution Margin !(PDM).”
Secondary distribution/transmission is when products are loaded from BOST depots
and discharged at various Oil Marketing Companies’ (OMC) sales points across the country.
“This is funded by the Uniform Petroleum Price Fund, UPPF,” the statement concluded.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: MiDA’s Energy Efficiency Project To Save KBTH GHc 2.1 Million Electricity Consumption Annually
Ghana’s premier Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is expected to make a savings of GHc 2.1 million annually from electricity consumption.
Four departments of the hospital are to save the health facility that colossal amount due to an intervention by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).
The Accident and Emergency, Child Health, Central Laboratory and Medical departments of the hospital have been consuming 2.8m kilowatts of electricity annually, which translates to GHc3.4 million.
This is as a result of high-powered electricity consuming electrical appliances fitted at the four departments of the hospital.
The premier hospital is among six public sector institutions that is benefiting from MiDA’s Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) project being funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) with an amount of US$3 million.
Under the scope of the EEDSM project, MiDA is undertaking a number of activities including replacing and retrofitting the four departments of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital with energy commission’s certified energy efficiency fans, refrigerators, air conditioners and bulbs.
Per an Investment Grid Energy Audit (IGEA) done by DESL, a consultant contracted by MiDA, electricity consumption at the four departments of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is expected to be reduced by 40.2 percent. This will translate into GHc2.1 million savings annually.
Speaking to journalists at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Priscilla Agyei Darko, Project Engineer for Energy Efficiency and Demands Side Management (EEDSM) at MIDA, explained that the initiative formed part of the many projects under the Ghana Power Compact Agreement.
“So, what that programme seeks to do is to change the behaviour of people concerning energy efficiency and how to save energy in our various institutions and homes based on behaviour and changing how we see things-what you buy, switching off the lights when you leave your room, checking the star ratings when you are going to buy an appliance. So, that is what EEDSM is mostly about… changing the behaviour and our attitude towards the usage of energy and the things we need to buy to save energy.
“Under the EEDSM, we have a lot of projects and one of them is the way to retrofit. Here, we are replacing inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances and lighting,” she stated.
Explaining how the selection process for the project was done, Priscilla Agyei Darko said MiDA wrote to ECG for a data on high consumption institutions.
“ECG gave us a list of 20 institutions, but when MiDA wrote to them (institutions), only six of them responded,” she explained.
These six institutions are Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ministry of Education (MOE), Department of Urban Roads, University of Ghana, Legon, Adabraka Polyclinic and Ministry of Health.
Madam Esther Tetteh, the Administrator of the Child Health Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, who commended MiDA, said the initiative has brought them a big relief.
Besides the hottest environment the health personnel at the Child Health Department worked in, Madam Esther Tetteh said getting some of the non-functional fans in particular to be repaired was a headache because they were of different brands. She said getting the one’s MiDA has provided to be repaired in future would be easier because they are of the same brand.
“The fans which used to blow hot air is now blowing fresh air. So we thank MiDA,” she stated.
Communications and Head of Outreach Programme at MiDA, Pamela Djamson Tettey commended citizens of US, whose taxes the Millennium Challenge Corporation is supporting MiDA to implement its compact projects.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Speaking to journalists at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Priscilla Agyei Darko, Project Engineer for Energy Efficiency and Demands Side Management (EEDSM) at MIDA, explained that the initiative formed part of the many projects under the Ghana Power Compact Agreement.
“So, what that programme seeks to do is to change the behaviour of people concerning energy efficiency and how to save energy in our various institutions and homes based on behaviour and changing how we see things-what you buy, switching off the lights when you leave your room, checking the star ratings when you are going to buy an appliance. So, that is what EEDSM is mostly about… changing the behaviour and our attitude towards the usage of energy and the things we need to buy to save energy.
“Under the EEDSM, we have a lot of projects and one of them is the way to retrofit. Here, we are replacing inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances and lighting,” she stated.
Explaining how the selection process for the project was done, Priscilla Agyei Darko said MiDA wrote to ECG for a data on high consumption institutions.
“ECG gave us a list of 20 institutions, but when MiDA wrote to them (institutions), only six of them responded,” she explained.
These six institutions are Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ministry of Education (MOE), Department of Urban Roads, University of Ghana, Legon, Adabraka Polyclinic and Ministry of Health.
Madam Esther Tetteh, the Administrator of the Child Health Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, who commended MiDA, said the initiative has brought them a big relief.
Besides the hottest environment the health personnel at the Child Health Department worked in, Madam Esther Tetteh said getting some of the non-functional fans in particular to be repaired was a headache because they were of different brands. She said getting the one’s MiDA has provided to be repaired in future would be easier because they are of the same brand.
“The fans which used to blow hot air is now blowing fresh air. So we thank MiDA,” she stated.
Communications and Head of Outreach Programme at MiDA, Pamela Djamson Tettey commended citizens of US, whose taxes the Millennium Challenge Corporation is supporting MiDA to implement its compact projects.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com South Africa: Thousands Without Electricity As ESKOM Transformer Fails In Free State
Thousands of South Africans in Rouxville, Zasron and Smithfield are without electricity as a result of transformer failure at Rouxville Substation in Free State.
South Africa’s struggling utility company, ESKOM, on Monday said supply to consumers in Rouxville, Zastron and Smithfield, as well as surrounding rural areas, would only be restored on Tuesday as technicians work on the problem.
The utility has apologised to the thousands of people affected
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com South Africa: Jabu Mabuza Resigns As ESKOM Chairman
The Chairman of South Africa’s Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM) Jabu Mabuza has resigned, energynewsafrica.com can report.
In a letter written President of South Africa, Mr Mabuza, said his decision to resign was due to ESKOM’s failure to meet the commitment it made that there would be no loadshedding until 13 January 2020.
He apologised for to the president, his deputy and the Pubilc Enterprises Minister for failing.
“Eskom presented plans to ensure that the risk of loadshedding would be eliminated during the holiday period until 13 January 2020. Eskom also outlined the risks affecting the national grid,” Mr Mabuza said in his resignation letter.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, energynewsafrica.com understand has accepted Mr Mabuza’s resignation letter.
President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude to Mr Mabuza for serving Eskom and the nation during a challenging period and has commended Mr Mabuza for taking responsibility and accepting accountability for events under his leadership.”
It went on to state that the government will soon announce a “reconfigured Eskom board with the appropriate mix of electricity industry, engineering, and corporate governance experience”.
No loadshedding scheduled for Monday
The power utility announced this morning [Monday, 13 January] that the power system is “tight, but we are working hard to stabilise our generation fleet in order to ensure that we meet today’s demand”.
The utility anticipates some units coming back online during the course of the day and states that it has adequate reserves for emergency generators.
Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 13,867MW as at 06h00 on Monday morning.
“Should we lose some generation units during the day, we will use emergency reserves and may implement load shedding in the evening. However, if we experience drastic changes in the system, load shedding may be implemented earlier in the day,” the company warned.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
No loadshedding scheduled for Monday
The power utility announced this morning [Monday, 13 January] that the power system is “tight, but we are working hard to stabilise our generation fleet in order to ensure that we meet today’s demand”.
The utility anticipates some units coming back online during the course of the day and states that it has adequate reserves for emergency generators.
Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 13,867MW as at 06h00 on Monday morning.
“Should we lose some generation units during the day, we will use emergency reserves and may implement load shedding in the evening. However, if we experience drastic changes in the system, load shedding may be implemented earlier in the day,” the company warned.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
South Sudan: Gov’t To Assess Environmental Impact Of Oil Producing Fields
South Sudan has announced plans to conduct full environmental impact audit of all its oil-producing fields ahead of any new exploration and drilling in the country.
The country last week issued tender inviting companies to bid to conduct those environmental audits, under a petroleum act from 2012.
“The Act is designed to better manage the environmental impact of the sector after years of neglect prior to independence, and the resulting pollution,” the government said in a statement.
“The sector has in the past caused a loss of grazing land, deforestation, soil and water contamination, and health issues in and around oil-producing areas,” it further noted.
South Sudan broke from Sudan in 2011 and took with it around 350,000 bpd in oil production. However, the only export oil pipeline out of landlocked South Sudan passes through its neighbor to the north, Sudan.
But then civil war in South Sudan broke out in 2013 that further complicated oil production. Currently, South Sudan pumps around 180,000 bpd.
The government aims to hold oil licensing round for 14 oil exploration blocks by the end of the first quarter of 2020.
“Understanding the pollution damage will allow the country to put systems in place to prevent further damage as the country looks to ramp up production,” South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum Awow Daniel Chuang said.
At the same time, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir said in August last year:
“I will not tolerate irresponsible activities in the oil sector.”
“And while the government is eager to welcome new exploration and production, companies would be held to a high standard. The era of “bad business” was coming to an end,” the president said.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Rwanda: AfDB Approves €8 Million Technical Assistance Grant To Support Preparation Of Ruzizi IV Hydro Power Project
The Board of Directors of African Development Bank Group has approved an €8 million grant drawn from the European Union’s Africa Investment Platform (EU-AIP) to support the preparation of the Ruzizi IV Hydropower Project.
The plant will be situated on the Ruzizi River between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and will supply electricity to the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.
The 287 MW Ruzizi IV Hydropower project is expected to will provide electricity to millions of households, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and industries, thereby improving the living conditions of the regional population. Greater and more reliable access to electricity will also improve the quality of basic social service delivery including health, education, and improved security.
“The African Development Bank played a major role in structuring and raising financing for Ruzizi III, and the lessons learned will be used to successfully develop and implement Ruzizi IV. The use of renewable and affordable electric power will help to reduce poverty, unemployment, greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, as well as stabilise security in the Great Lakes region,” Batchi Baldeh, the Bank’s Director for Power Systems Development,” said in a press release posted on AfDB’s website.
The €8 million grant approval follows a $980,000 grant approved end-2018 by the New Partnership for Africa Development’s Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), which is a multi-donor Special Fund hosted by the Bank, to co-finance this technical assistance.
Ruzizi Hydropower Plant Project IV meets the goal shared by Burundi, DRC and Rwanda to optimise exploitation of their energy resources by integrating electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. The project falls within the overall regional energy market framework being developed by the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme (NELSAP) and the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
Ruzizi IV also aligns with the Bank’s High 5 priority to “Light up and power Africa”, as well as the Bank’s strategy on regional integration, and specifically, development of regional energy infrastructure.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
AfDB Sponsored Off-Grid Energy Access Fund Reaches Final Equity Close With Partner Contributions
The Facility for Energy Inclusion’s Off-Grid Energy Access Fund (FEI OGEF) has reached a final equity close with $59 million in committed equity capital and $36 million debt facilities, to support innovative, off-grid energy access companies.
The final close, was made possible through a $15 million equity contribution from the European Union (EU), and a further $17 million from KfW, acting on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Additionally, the EU is providing $2 million to fund a technical assistance facility, to enhance local currency financing. Other OGEF equity investors include the Nordic Development Fund and All On Calvert Impact Capital and the Prudential Insurance Company of America.
OGEF expects to raise further debt towards its $130 million target over the next 12-18 months.
The African Development Bank (AfDB.org) is the fund’s anchor sponsor with a $30 million contribution, and $8.5 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Welcoming the EU and KfW contributions, Wale Shonibare, the Bank’s acting Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth, emphasized the strategic importance of FEI in delivering the Bank’s renewable energy strategy for Africa, and the global SDG7 goal of energy access.
“We are pleased to welcome the participation of like-minded partners in our shared ambition to promote access to modern, reliable and sustainable energy in Africa, and to enhance private sector participation in order deliver electricity to underserved communities in Africa,” he said.
Modern, high-quality off-grid connections can transform lives, Babette Stein von Kamienski, KfW’s Director of Power and Energy in Southern Africa, noted.
“KfW and BMZ have invested in OGEF to support this collaborative effort to advance climate friendly off-grid energy in Africa, demonstrating that off-grid solutions can complement sustained grid electrification to accelerate electricity access to millions of Africans,” she said
Originally supported by a grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), FEI OGEF is currently managed by Lion’s Head Global Partners.
“We are proud to have reached this milestone and excited to play a meaningful role in growing the sector and serve customers who are not currently served by traditional electricity grids. The off-grid market potential is massive and on track to transform electricity access in Africa as we know it,” Harry Guinness, Fund Manager of OGEF said.
Ghana: Group Opposes Oil Exploration In Keta Basin
A civil society group, Development Institute (DI) has kicked against plans by the Republic of Ghana to explore oil within the Keta basin.
They argued that the oil exploration will affect six districts and over 31 per cent of the population of the Volta Region.
DI is the latest group to oppose the exploration of oil within the Keta Basin
Civil society groups such as Centre for Natural Resource and Environmental Management in Tema and Keta District Vegetable Farmers and Marketers Association of Anloga raised similar concerns last year and questioned the Akufo-Addo administration and the block owners as to the proprietary of such an action.
Speaking at a workshop, which formed part of the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA) programme aimed at empowering locals on the intended oil exploration in the Keta basin, Executive Director of DI, Mr. Ken Kinney, said the 31 per cent population would not have any direct benefit from the oil revenue.
According to newsghana.com, which covered the workshop, Mr Kinney explained that the Keta basin oil exploration had more unforeseen and unintended consequences on the environment and must be given another thought.
He said the Keta lagoon and the fishes would be contaminated with great concerns on climate resilience infrastructure in the region due to the exploration.
Mr Noble Wadzah, Coordinator, Oilwatch- Ghana, said oil was an essential resource that the political economy thrived on, with oil revenue allegedly being misused by people in political office as the citizens suffered from the havoc of the oil exploration activities.
“In the 2017 to 2018, PIAC report shows that oil money of GHC 403 million cannot be accounted for by the government and it shows that this money was never used by any of the communities that is experiencing the oil exploration so this should tell you that the oil economy makes money for the high political position holders only,” he said.
Mr Wadzah said, in Norway, a percentage of any oil sold is shared among the citizens, but in Ghana, 55 per cent of the oil money was given to Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for further exploration and production focused actions without direct support for individuals in communities suffering from oil activities.
The Coordinator for Oilwatch- Ghana added that oil extraction affected the environment in various ways and expensive when trying to rectify damage caused to the environment through oil extraction, thus exploration decisions must be well thought through.
Queen Mother of Adafienu, Mama Ayaba II, called for more education on oil exploration for land owners in the Keta basin and the people to make informed decisions.
Oilwatch- Ghana is an environmental Non-Governmental Organisation for the search and publication of information on Ghana’s oil and gas industry.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
According to newsghana.com, which covered the workshop, Mr Kinney explained that the Keta basin oil exploration had more unforeseen and unintended consequences on the environment and must be given another thought.
He said the Keta lagoon and the fishes would be contaminated with great concerns on climate resilience infrastructure in the region due to the exploration.
Mr Noble Wadzah, Coordinator, Oilwatch- Ghana, said oil was an essential resource that the political economy thrived on, with oil revenue allegedly being misused by people in political office as the citizens suffered from the havoc of the oil exploration activities.
“In the 2017 to 2018, PIAC report shows that oil money of GHC 403 million cannot be accounted for by the government and it shows that this money was never used by any of the communities that is experiencing the oil exploration so this should tell you that the oil economy makes money for the high political position holders only,” he said.
Mr Wadzah said, in Norway, a percentage of any oil sold is shared among the citizens, but in Ghana, 55 per cent of the oil money was given to Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for further exploration and production focused actions without direct support for individuals in communities suffering from oil activities.
The Coordinator for Oilwatch- Ghana added that oil extraction affected the environment in various ways and expensive when trying to rectify damage caused to the environment through oil extraction, thus exploration decisions must be well thought through.
Queen Mother of Adafienu, Mama Ayaba II, called for more education on oil exploration for land owners in the Keta basin and the people to make informed decisions.
Oilwatch- Ghana is an environmental Non-Governmental Organisation for the search and publication of information on Ghana’s oil and gas industry.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
One Dead, Five Injured In Incident On Brazil-Bound Vessel
One worker has reportedly died while five others have been seriously injured in an accident that occurred on the Boskalis-owned heavy-lift vessel.
The accident occurred when an FPSO unit was being transported from China to Brazil.
Boskalis informed on Thursday that, earlier this week, an incident had occurred on board of the FPSO which was being transported by the Vanguard from China to Brazil.
“During the journey, a contractor, designated by the yard, is conducting preservation works on board of the FPSO. These works are part of the pre-delivery activities by the yard before the FPSO is delivered to the operator in Brazil later this month. Six persons employed by the designated contractor, all with the Brazilian nationality, illegally consumed a cleaning liquid found on board of the FPSO, Boskalis said.
According to the company, this liquid is a substance customarily used for degreasing purposes, presumably containing a mixture of ethanol and the severely toxic methanol. The affected persons reported this to Boskalis crew approximately 36 hours after consumption at which point serious signs of illness were becoming apparent. Swift and immediate action was taken by the crew, Boskalis said.
The Vanguard changed course towards the coast of South Africa and a medical evacuation by helicopter was organized. One of the affected individuals passed away before the medical assistance was on site. The remaining five persons were successfully evacuated, hospitalized in Durban, South Africa and are successfully recovering from the intoxication.
“Boskalis expresses its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased person,” Boskalis said in the statement.
Boskalis also stressed that it has a strict zero tolerance policy with regard to alcohol on its offshore vessels. The FPSO and Vanguard have recently resumed their journey to Brazil.
Ghana: Aker Energy Backs Gov’t’s Decision To Amend Petroleum Agreement Covering DWT-CTP And SDWT Oil Blocks
Aker Energy, a Norwegian oil and gas firm which is operating the Deep Water Tano Cape Three Point (DWT/CTP) oil block in the Republic of Ghana, has backed the government’s decision to amend the Petroleum Agreement covering Aker’s oil block.
According to sources within Aker Energy, the amendment is in the right direction, adding that the amendments are in line with international best practices and would reinforce Ghana as an attractive place to invest.
“The main beneficiaries of the projects is Ghana due to tax revenues, employment and local content,” a source at Aker Energy said.
The Akufo-administration, through the Ministry of Energy, requested the country’s Parliament to amend the Cape Three Points-Deep Water Tano (CTP-DWT)(Aker) petroleum agreement and South Deep Water Tank (SDWT) (AGM) Production Agreement.
The decision did not sit well with the Minority MPs in Parliament, who accused the President of presenting a ‘Christmas gift’ to the Norwegian oil and gas firm and denying Ghanaians the benefit.
“This ‘Christmas present’ represents the most radical attack on Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector since the commencement of the fourth Republic,” the Minority described.
According to a statement by Minority, “The amendment of the petroleum agreement would impose certain critical obligations on the sector Minister, which are regulatory in nature, limit the Minister’s discretion in approving plan of development(POD) contrary to Act 919 for example, by compelling the Minister to use FPSO technology as the only option for producing the resources of the AGM Block even before the appraisal of the field in which the technology must be deployed, compelling the Minister to accept the contractor’s delineation of the area to be included within a Development and Production Area in the Aker block, allow Aker within a year of its Final Investment Decision to unilaterally vary the approved development plan without reference to the Minister contrary to Section 27(12) of Act 919, give contractor’s unfettered discretion over oilfield procurement without recourse to petroleum commission or any other governmental authority, thus, weakening the role of GNPC in joint Management Committee.
“The direct beneficiary of these giveaways would be the Norwegian Multinational, Aker Energy which owns and controls north Aker Ghana and AGM. The direct loser is Ghana. The cumulative medium to long term effect of all these giveaways would be a loss of national control over our precious petroleum resources which would lead, among other things, to billions of dollars lost to the nation and loss of job creation. These amendments would lead to demands from contractors across the board for review of their current contract terms in order to achieve parity of treatment,” Minority argued.
However, reacting to the Minority’s claims, sources at Aker Energy said Ghana rather stands to benefit immensely from the oil block, saying the development of both blocks are needed to achieve Ghana’s oil production target.
“Aker is the right partner for Ghana given the ultra-deep waters with its high risk and complexity. Aker, which developed the Norwegian oil sector, is known for its broad skillset and technology portfolio.”
ABOUT AKER ENERGY:
• Building a Ghanaian oil and gas company: Operating the DWT/CTP block, building on Norwegian
knowledge and expertise. Planning to significantly build up the organisation in Ghana.
• Proud industrial heritage: Building on 180 years of experience from the Aker group, which employs
30,000 people in 60 countries. Has taken part in 80% of developments in Norway.
• Developing the fourth producing field offshore Ghana: Ultra-deep water project with estimated
investments of USD 4.4 billion (plus cost of FPSO). Ambition to significantly improve oil recovery.
• Commitment to industry development: Established Aker Ghana Investment Company (AGIC) to
develop local industry. Pledged $4.5 million to AOGC program to enhance competence in the industry.
Ghana: Owuraku Aidoo, Others Attend 10th IRENA Assembly In Abu Dhabi
Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy in charge of Power, William Owuraku Aidoo, has left Ghana to attend the 10th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, UAE, scheduled for January 10-12, 2020.
The Deputy Minister is accompanied by the Director for Renewable and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo and Madam Patricia Asaam, the government’s spokesperson on energy at the ministry.
Owuraku Aidoo is expected to deliver an address which is likely to touch on efforts Ghana is making towards advancing renewable and nuclear energy.
The 10th IRENA Assembly will bring together head of states and government, ministers, member delegations as well as heads of international and regional organisations, public and private entities and civil society representatives to contribute to the energy transformation dialogue.
There will be one Ministerial Roundtable and two Ministerial Plenary sessions taking place, engagement with ministers and high-level participants on specific topics such as Decarbonisation Green Hydrogen, Renewables Investment and Hydropower.
A number of thematic meetings will also be held over the course of the 10th session of the IRENA Assembly.
The main objectives include raising awareness of the importance of intensifying global efforts to deploy renewable energy, discuss their impact on the energy transformation and sustainable development, connecting policy makers, experts and innovators worldwide to learn from each other, and share best practice and experiences on issues of common interest.
The Assembly will also consider the conclusions of the agency’s council meetings and will provide guidance on specific administrative and institutional matters.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Navy Rescues Three Kidnapped Foreign Oil Workers
Nigeria’s Navy has rescued three foreigners who were kidnapped in the oil-rich Niger Delta last week, energynewsafrica.com can report.
Navy spokesperson Suleman Dahun told AFP on Wednesday that a Navy team rescued two Russians and one Indian late Tuesday in an operation in the southwestern state of Ondo.
The three foreigners were abducted on Thursday last week in a pirate attack on an oil dredging ship that resulted in the killing of four operatives of the Nigerian Navy and the kidnapping of the three foreign sailors. The armed suspected pirates attacked the oil dredging ship MV Ambika in the waterways of the Niger Delta.
Attacks and kidnappings are nothing new in the oil-rich Niger Delta which, despite its oil wealth, hasn’t been good to its local people who have not seen oil revenues transform their lives.
The coasts off Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea in general are prime targets for piracy in West Africa.
Over the past year, piracy off the coasts in West Africa has seen a shift from oil piracy to kidnapping people. India, the most prolific source of maritime sailors in the region, has banned all Indian seafarers from working on vessels in Nigerian waters and in the Gulf of Guinea.
In one recent incident before the kidnapping from last week, a gang of pirates kidnapped in the early December 19 sailors after waylaying and boarding a supertanker loaded with oil.
Hong Kong-flagged crude supertanker the Nave Constellation, owned by Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, was boarded on December 3 while the ship was traveling through Nigerian waters. The attack occurred roughly 60-70 nautical miles south of Nigeria’s Bonny Island Offshore Terminal, where the ship was stocked with cargo.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Ahmad Salihijo Appointed New CEO Of Rural Electrification Agency
The President of Nigeria Mahammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Ahmad Salihijo as the new CEO of Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria.
Salihijo steps in following the suspension of former Managing Director of REA, Damilola Ogunbiyi, in December 2019.
However, on further investigation, Premium Times has discovered that the new CEO is a level 12 public official and the son of Salihijo Mohammed Ahmed, a former managing director of Afri-Project Consortium.
This has sparked debate in the public domain with claims against the President for displaying nepotism toward this appointment.
Ogunbiyi was instructed by the Nigerian Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, to hand over to the next most senior officer in the agency following some apparent infractions in the agency.
A statement by Aaron Artimas, the special adviser to the Minister on media and communication, said: “Consequently, the minister has directed an immediate investigation into the activities of the agency towards re-positioning it for better service delivery.”
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Fujairah Oil Products Stocks Jump As IMO 2020 Takes Effect
Oil product stockpiles at the UAE’s trading hub in Fujairah rose in the past week as IMO 2020-mandated marine fuel requirements took effect.
Stockpiles of heavy distillates and residues, including marine fuel, advanced 11 percent to 11.205 million barrels as of 6th January, the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, FOIZ, reported Wednesday.
Total inventories, including light, middle and heavy distillates, jumped about 12 percent to 20.735 million barrels — a two-week high.
Fujairah is expanding shipping and storage facilities for refined products and crude as the International Maritime Organisation’s 2020 rule took effect 1st January, requiring ships to use fuel that has no more than 0.5 percent sulphur, compared with 3.5 percent previously.
Fujairah plans to conduct spot checks this year on ships taking bunker fuel to make sure they comply with the new rule, Captain Mousa Murad, the Port’s general manager, told S&P Global Platts in December 2019.
Middle distillates fell 2.1 percent to 3.644 million barrels in the past week and light distillates rose almost 24 percent to 5.886 million barrels.
Heavy distillates include fuels used for power generation, while middle distillates cover jet fuel, kerosene, gasoil, diesel and marine bunker gasoil.
The light distillates category include gasoline, gasoline blending components like reformate and alkylate, naphtha, and other light petrochemical feedstocks and condensates that are stored in white product tanks and are of an API of 45 degrees and above.
Light distillates was the only category to show an inventory decline for 2019, tumbling 51 percent after more than doubling in 2018 and declining almost 15 percent in 2017. Middle distillates jumped 155 percent last year and heavy distillates climbed 62 percent. Total stocks rose seven percent for the year after a 2.3 percent gain in 2018 and a 12 percent drop in 2017.
The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone data started being reported in 2017.
Platts is the official publisher of the data.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com /emirates news agency