Nigeria: Dangote Oil Refinery Key Equipment Arrives From China

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company last announced the arrival of the key equipment that would process crude oil in its refinery being built in Lagos. The firm, in a statement, described the crude distillation column equipment as the largest in the world with a distilling capacity of 650,000 barrels per stream day. “The significant equipment has a weight of 2,250 metric tonnes; length, 112.5 metres; width, 14.036 metres; and height, 13.752 metres. The above-mentioned weight does not include the weight of the internal trays which is about 536 MT,” it said. The company’s Head, Maritime and Ports Infrastructure, Capt. Rajen Sachar, was quoted as saying the equipment was the biggest single-train facility used for refining crude. The refinery equipment, according to the statement, was manufactured by Sinopec in China and is the primary unit processor of crude oil into fuels. Sachar said that the refinery, when completed, would produce Euro-V quality petrol and diesel, as well as jet fuel and polypropylene. He said the strategic location of Nigeria in West Africa would help in reducing the transportation costs of these fuels to other countries in the African subcontinent, thereby providing cost-effective, high-grade petroleum products to them. Sachar said, “This refinery with a capacity of 650,000 bpsd is higher than the total demand of Nigeria, thus catapulting Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter of petroleum products.” He said it took 14 months for the crude oil processor to be constructed by Sinopec in China and eight weeks to bring it to Nigeria.     Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Gov’t Spends GHS 373.9 Million As Subsidies On Premix Fuel In Three Years

Ghana’s Minister for Energy, John- Peter Amewu has revealed that an amount of GHc 373.9 million was spent by the government as subsidies to cushion fishermen in the West African country in 2017 and May 2019. A total of GHC 137.5 million was spent in 2017 while GHC160.8million was spent in 2018. According to him, an amount of GHC134,604,110 has so far been accumulated between January and September this year, adding that the amount is projected to rise to GHC206 million. The Energy Minister made the disclosure during the handing over ceremony of six prototype premix retail outlets constructed by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) at Winneba, in the Central Region, on Tuesday. He disclosed that stringent measures instituted by the government resulted in the drastic reduction in the diversion of premix fuel by smugglers, an incident he described as detrimental to their efforts at building a just and fair society for fisher folks. “We are told it has consequently impacted the efficient and equitable distribution of premix fuel to fisher folks, which has gone great lengths to reverse the perennial challenge of shortages,” Mr Amewu emphasised. He commended the NPA for its effective and sustained efforts to uplift the petroleum downstream industry with the construction of the edifice as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Minister admitted there are challenges with premix fuel distribution because of subsidies on the product. He explained that whenever there are subsidies, distribution of the product tends to create rents which also leads to middlemen smuggling of it. He promised that his Ministry would continue to provide policy guidelines to the NPA to ensure protection is given to genuine business players in the sector. “We shall work closely with the Fisheries and Acquaculture Ministry and the National Premix Secretariat to expose fraudulent ones desperately trying to undermine the decency of premix fuel distribution and consumption in the country,” he said. On his part, Mr Alhassan Tampuli, the NPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), described the construction of the premix fuel outlets as demonstration by the NPA to improve standards and safety in the petroleum downstream sector. He mentioned that the construction has, among other things, the objective to forestall recurrence of an explosion that resulted in the death of nineteen people in 2012, at Bawire, near Axim in the Western Region. The explosion, according to Mr Tampuli, brought to fore the unsafe practices of premix retail outlets at landing beaches across the country. He expressed the hope that the newly handed over edifice would serve the purpose for which they were constructed to ensure safe distribution and handling of premix fuel at respective landing beaches. The project, which was fully funded by the National Petroleum Authority, was in collaboration with the state owned oil company, GOIL Ghana Limited.

Ghana: Gov’t Amends Petroleum Exploration & Production Law, Seeks Parliamentary Approval

The Akufo-Addo administration in the Republic of Ghana has reviewed the West African nation’s regulatory and legal framework governing its upstream petroleum industry. The move, according to the government, is as a result of strategic plan to aggressively and effectively exploit the country’s petroleum resources. The Ministry of Energy has, therefore, written to the Chairman of Subsidiary Legislation requesting a meeting to deliberate on the issue and relay the amendment in Parliament for approval for further discussion and approval. In a letter signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy, Lawrence Apaalse, it said: “Consequently, existing petroleum legislation including Petroleum (Exploration & Production)(General), Regulations 2018 has been reviewed and a number of amendments proposed in line with the new upstream strategy. We attach hereto a copy of the Petroleum (Exploration & Production)(General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 for your contribution.” The letter continued that “further to our engagement with the office of the Attorney General, we have been asked to liaise with your committee on the proposed amendment and respectfully request to engage Honourable Members of the committee on subsidiary legislation in a pre-laying meeting, prior to laying the amendment in Parliament for passage into law.”   Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

TGS Acquires Gambia A2/A5 3D Survey

TGS announced that it has added an additional 1,500 sq km of 3D seismic data offshore The Gambia. This dataset will further expand TGS’ existing 3D multi-client library in the MSGBC Basin, which now totals over 40,000 sq kms, as well as strengthening its strong footprint in the region. The survey falls over Blocks A2/A5 where sub-surface structures have been identified as being on-trend with the SNE discovery immediately north in Senegal. The dataset will be reprocessed and pre-stack merged into the Jaan program, a 29,000 sq km 3D covering the prospective paleo-shelf edge. Graham Mayhew, VP – Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East at TGS, stated: “This important data addition aligns with our strategy of investing in frontier and emerging basins. We expect to see further discoveries made in this basin and believe our 3D data will be critical in providing exploration companies the ability to invest further.”        

TGS Announces Major Update To Their Online Data Portal R360

TGS, leading seismic data company has announced  the first major update to their unique online data portal, R360™, following extensive client feedback. Users are now able to experience a more intuitive interface that includes a fresh look and feel, streamlined navigation and additional, simplified search functionalities to view TGS’ extensive Well Data library. This service is now free to register and allows users to identify, view, purchase, download, and manage the industry’s most trusted well data products. Carl Neuhaus, Vice President, Well Data Products at TGS commented, “As the industry’s leading source of enhanced well data products our priority is to ensure customers are provided with easy access to this data in order to build and develop cost-effective acreage positions. We anticipate that this update will improve workflow efficiency by helping users to quickly find the data relating to their specific areas of interest. This update is a big step towards the company’s vision of providing a single platform to access the largest volume of high quality digital subsurface and well performance data along with easy-to-use geoscience interpretation products.” The key objective behind this update was to create an improved user experience within R360 based on customer responses. Over the past year, TGS has worked to gather comments and opinions from a variety of different users of the software to establish how R360 could improve their workflows and boost efficiency. This information was the key driver behind the updated design. The result is a newly enhanced interface with a layout designed to streamline workflows so users spend less time navigating the system and more time getting to the data they need. Users will find they will have a more intuitive feel for the wide variety of tools available within R360 and how to best employ them. Company summary      TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) provides multi-client geoscience data to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies worldwide.  In addition to extensive global geophysical and geological data libraries that include multi-client seismic data, magnetic and gravity data, digital well logs, production data and directional surveys, TGS also offers advanced processing and imaging services, interpretation products, and data integration solutions.

Oil Leaks From Equinor’s Offshore Platform Only Days After Marking 40 Years Of Production

Norwegian offshore safety watchdog, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA), has launched an investigation into an oil leak from Equinor’s Statfjord A platform located offshore Norway on November 26, 2019. This discharge was detected by the observation of oil on the sea surface alongside the North Sea platform, the PSA said in a report on Tuesday, December 3. Preliminary information indicates that the leak came from one of the cells in Statfjord A’s concrete gravity base structure. The discharge was quickly halted. According to Statfjord operator Equinor, the volume released is estimated at 40-80 cubic meters of oil. An investigation team comprising PSA specialists is now starting its work. The safety authority said that this would include reviewing in detail and clarifying the course of events, identifying and describing the actual and potential consequences of the incident, establishing the direct and underlying causes, and clarifying responsibilities. It will also involve applying necessary enforcement powers to correct possible breaches of the regulations, making the results of its investigation public, contributing to experience transfer and learning lessons for other players in the petroleum industry. Statfjord is a field in the Tampen area in the northern part of the North Sea, on the border between the Norwegian and UK sectors. The Norwegian share of the field is 85.47 percent. The water depth in the area is 150 meters. Statfjord was discovered in 1974, and the plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in 1976. The field has been developed with three fully integrated concrete facilities: Statfjord A, Statfjord B, and Statfjord C. Statfjord A, centrally located on the field, came on stream in 1979. Statfjord B, in the southern part of the field, in 1982, and Statfjord C, in the northern part, in 1985. It is worth noting that Equinor recently marked the 40th anniversary of production from the Statfjord field. Namely, production from the Statfjord A platform began on November 24, 1979. Since production began at Statfjord A, the field has produced 5.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Statfjord’s gross revenues are well over NOK 1675 billion during those 40 years of production.

Ghana: IPPs Worried Over GHS11billion Power Sector Debts

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Ghana’s power sector may collapse if the mounting debt is not addressed anytime soon. Information available to energynewsafrica.com indicates that the debts owed to independent power producers, who contribute 2500MW, have ballooned to GHS11billion within the last few weeks. The development, sources say is making it difficult for the IPPs to operate efficiently. According to a source within the Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Bulk Consumers and Distributors (CiPDIB), the ECG, which recently resumed power retail business after the government terminated the concession agreement between ECG and PDS, has already defaulted in four weeks’ payment, despite their promised weekly payment. “This serious liquidity concern has nothing to do with take or pay, procured PPAs or excess capacity. Let’s focus on the real issues,” the source said. “There is the need for a strategic consultation with the IPPs for a sound direction about the sector, devoid of political interference in commercial processes, if we really want to restore a working ECG and address the needless insolvencies in the sector,” Elikplim K. Apetorgbor, CEO of CIPDiB also suggested.  

Ghana: Constructive Planning Needed To Prevent Costly Excess Power Supply — Energy Minister

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Ghana’s Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu, has called for constructive energy planning practices in the medium to long term, to ensure that Ghanaians are not burdened with the cost of excess energy supply. According to him, the current high cost of energy for Ghanaian households and businesses is as a result of the excess energy capacity in the system which Ghanaians have to pay for whether the power is used or not. His comments come at a time the government is engaging with Independent Power Producers (IPP) and Gas Suppliers (GS) to reassess all take or pay contracts and as well as resolve other energy-related issues. Ghana currently has an installed power generation capacity of 5,083 MW, a dependable capacity of 4, 593 MW, and a peak demand of around 2,700 MW. In effect, Ghana’s installed capacity is almost double its peak demand. Moreover, with current tariffs not at full cost recovery for power and gas, the 2019 sector shortfall is expected to grow to approximately USD$1.3 billion, and without urgent Government action, the sector shortfall will continue to increase and accumulate to more than USD$12.5 billion (more than 25% of 2017 GDP) by 2023. Delivering the keynote address at the 2019 edition of the Ghana Energy Awards, John Peter Amewu said all steps must be taken to protect Ghanaians from any unnecessary costs in the energy sector. “As a country, we should begin to decide whether we want to wait for demand to meet supply or to create supply in excess for demand to grow and meet. Any country that refuses to undertake constructive energy planning practices, will always create excess supply where the cost of socialization will be borne by Ghanaians.” He went on to mention that his Ministry was committed to putting in place systems to ensure that going forward excess energy capacity is only added at a sustainable rate. “While there are steps being taken to make sure that going forward as a country we would be mindful of our generation, transmission, distribution, supply, and metering analysis, we at the Ministry have begun to put in measures and policies that will make sure that we bring in generation at the time that demand begins to grow.”    

South Africa: Financial Close Reached For Investment In A C&I Solar Power House

Gridworks, the company set up in 2019 to develop and invest in Africa’s electricity networks, has announced the financial close of its investment in Mettle Solar Investments (Mettle). Mettle is a South African-based commercial and industrial (C&I) solar power company that provides energy solutions to business customers across Africa. Mettle will receive R106.7 million ($7.2 million) of equity funding from Gridworks.    The investment by Gridworks will also see Mettle appoint Mbuvi Ngunze as its new Chairman. Ngunze is an experienced African business leader, who is currently a senior advisor to Catalyst Principal Partners and was previously the Group MD and CEO of Kenya Airways. Mettle currently has 34 projects (28.1MW) in operation in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Indian Ocean islands with a further 2.3MW currently under construction. It works with business clients to fund, develop and operate solar power technologies, including battery storage, that provide consistent, affordable clean energy.  Gridworks’ investment, its first since launching in June 2019, will help drive Mettle into new markets across Africa. The investment aims to reduce carbon emissions and demonstrate the commercial viability of C&I systems for businesses in a continent where 70% of total energy demand currently comes from commercial and industrial customers. Welcoming the financial close of the investment, Gridworks CEO, Simon Hodson said: “This is a landmark for Gridworks as our first investment reaches financial close. By providing patient, long-term capital to Mettle we’ll support them as they reach new markets across Africa. Mettle offers consistent and clean energy to their customers, acting as a pioneer in the use of battery storage for business users and helping them cut their dependence on diesel.  “Our aim is to increase the quantity and quality of power in Africa and we know that Mettle can contribute to this goal – providing green, reliable power to businesses that will go on to create jobs and economic opportunity. Mettle’s excellent leadership team will be strengthened by the appointment of the hugely experienced Mbuvi Ngunze as its new Chairman.” Ngunze also commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of Mettle at this important time in the company’s development. There’s a clear need for a reliable power supply to business across Africa, with the continent’s commercial and industrial customers crying out for stable, affordable green energy. “With the new investment announced today by Gridworks, I believe that Mettle can expand into new African markets, meeting the growing needs of businesses, while helping to combat climate change. I look forward to playing my part in that growth.” Capitalised by development financial institution CDC, Gridworks will aim to invest over $300 million improving the transmission and distribution infrastructure to deliver reliable and sustainable power.

Nigeria: AfDB Approves $210m For Nigerian Transmission Grid Project

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About seven states of in Nigeria the West African nation, Nigeria, will soon see an improvement in their electricity supply. The seven states are Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Imo, and Abia. This is because the board of directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $210 million financing package to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP1), which seeks to rehabilitate and upgrade the nation’s power lines and improve distribution and supply.    Executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, NTEP1 is part of a $1.6 billion Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP). “Nigerians and their businesses spend $14 billion annually on inefficient and expensive petrol or diesel-powered generators. This project will contribute significantly to the reduction of Nigeria’s power deficit, decrease air and noise pollution and reduce the cost of doing business,” Ebrima Faal, the Bank’s Senior Director for Nigeria in a story published by Esi-Africa.com. The Bank’s financing, comprising a $160 million loan, and an additional $50 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund, will support construction of 330kV double circuit quad transmission lines and substations across the country. The project will upgrade existing 263 km of 330kV lines, while adding an additional 204 km of new lines to increase TCN’s wheeling capacity, stabilise the grid and reduce transmission losses. Upon completion, the project will significantly improve Nigerian transmission grid, and directly impact the economy, industries, businesses and the quality of life of Nigerians. The project will also reduce the use of small-scale diesel generators and therefore contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions by saving approximately 11,460kt CO2 per year. The project will create about 2,000 direct jobs – 1,500 during construction and 500 during operations –especially for youth: 30% of these jobs are expected to be taken by women.  By increasing electricity supplies to Small and Medium Enterprises, the project will foster the creation of additional indirect jobs. Wale Shonibare, the Bank’s Acting Vice-President for Power & Energy said implementation of the project would increase evacuation capacity from the south of the country towards the north, where power supply is limited.    “NTEP1 will increase the grid transmission stability and capacity, and reduce the amount of stranded power, whilst improving power export and regional power system integration to the West African Power pool, especially through Niger and Benin interconnections,” he said. Highlighting the project’s contribution to regional integration efforts, Batchi Baldeh, the Bank’s Director for Power Systems Development said it would benefit from the Bank’s expertise and proven track record in leading the development of power grids across the continent, notably in West Africa, with many successful operations supporting the implementation of interconnectors. “In line with our work to improve utility performance, NTEP1 will substantially strengthen the capacity of TCN with regards to the development of energy infrastructure projects, especially the adoption of modern and more efficient transmission technologies, which are most required in Nigeria for network improvements,” Baldeh said.  

Ghana: Workers Of GRIDCo Hit Streets Of Accra Over ECG, NEDCo & VALCo’s Huge Indebtedness

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Hundreds of workers of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), a power transmission company in the Republic of Ghana, West Africa have hit the streets of Accra to protest against ECG, VALCO and NEDCo for failing to settle their huge indebtedness which they say has crippled the power transmission company. The agitated staff of GRIDCo massed up at the Black Star Square on Tuesday morning to begin their protest march to the Finance Ministry and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). GRIDCO leadership has been pushing for millions of debts owed it by Electricity Company of Ghana, the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCo) to be settled. Clad in red and black attires, protestors brandished placards to drum home their concerns. Angry GRIDCo staff say as of March 1, 2019, ECG’s outstanding debt to GRIDCo stood at GH¢607 million and another GH¢94,204,903.17 while VALCO owed it GH¢32,567,974.05 and NEDCo’s debt stood at GH¢177 million as at September 30, 2019.National Chairman of Staff Group of GRIDCo, Raphael Kornor, said at a press conference recently that the unavailability of funds to the company had forced it into rationing fuels for their staff’s travel for maintenance works while hoteliers have refused to make their facilities available to staff who travel for work due to their indebtedness. He added that government had also not paid some GH¢250 million requested by the management of GRIDCo while it took steps to raise bonds to settle the legacy debt in the energy sector although the president had directed the Ministry of Finance to release the money. “The first Energy Sector Levy Act bond which was raised by this present government in 2017/2018, our sister company, the VRA had over $550 million to settle their indebtedness with the banks but not a dime was given to GRIDCo to offset the ECG and VALCO indebtedness to us,” Mr Kornor lamented. He, therefore, called on the government to as a matter of urgency settle the ECG and VALCO indebtedness to GRIDCo which he says has stalled some new projects being undertaken by the company. Mr Kornor said if the government failed to settle the debts, then they would be left with no choice but to embark on industrial action, beginning with treating all emergency works as normal work within the normal working hours. The association said if by close of work on December 4, the debts were not cleared, they would embark on a sit down strike and impress upon their management to cut power supply to all customers which are indebted to it.     Source:www.energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: GRIDCo Gets New Head Of Public Affairs

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The Corporate Relations Manager for Vodafone in the Republic of Ghana, Ebenezer Amankwah, is set to join Ghana’s power transmitter GRIDCo as its new Head of Public Affairs. This follows the retirement of Mr Albert Kwasi Quainoo, former Head of Public Relations at GRIDCo The move comes at an interesting time for the power provider, following staff agitations over unpaid debts owed it by government institutions including Valco, ECG and NEDCo. Recent power outages have also put the company under the spotlight; especially as the year draws to a close. Ebenezer is expected to assume office this week in a move that is sure to bring some enthusiasm and vigor into GRIDCo’s engagement with the external public. Ebenezer has more than 13-years experience in the private sector, having worked as a Broadcast Journalist at Citi FM and as Corporate Affairs Manager at Standard Chartered Bank. At Vodafone, where he spent five years, he worked under three CEOs and was a key hand in driving the External Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability units under Gayheart Mensah. He was instrumental in several innovative and creative moves by the company, including a repositioning of the company as the digital telecom thought-leader in the industry.   Source:www.energynewsafrica.com  

Ghana: Exclusive Photos From The Ghana Energy Awards

Energynewsafrica.com brings you exclusive photos captured by our photographer who covered the 3rd edition of this year’s Ghana Energy Awards held last Friday at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, capital of Ghana.

The awards, which was under the theme: ‘Energy, a key to sustainable industrialisation’, hosted Ghana’s Everything Minister, John-Peter Amewu, as the Guest of Honour. Key personalities who also attended the programme were the Deputy Minister for Energy in-charge of petroleum, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, CEO of Volta River Authority, Ing. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, CEO of Ghana Grid Company, Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah, Wisdom Ahiataku Togobo, Director for Renewable Energy and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of Energy, CEO of West Africa Gas Pipeline Company, Greg Germani, Paa Kwasi Anamua Sakyi, Executive Director for IES, Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director for ACEP, CEO for Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi, Rev. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, and Mr. Jabez Amissah Arthur, former CEO of Bui Power Authority.
      Source:www.energynewsafrica.com                                                                                                                              

Ghana: Antwi-Darkwa, VRA Win Awards AT Ghana Energy Awards

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The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s hydro power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, was adjudged the Power Sector CEO of the Year for 2019 in the West African nation at an awards ceremony organised by the Energy Media Group. Ing Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa competed for the award with Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah, CEO of GRIDCo, Mr Fred Oware, CEO of Bui Power Authority (BPA), Oheneba Ofori Boateng, CEO of Strategic Security Systems and  Ernest Amissah, CEO of Sun Power Innovations. Meanwhile, Volta River Authority, which he heads, also won the Innovation Project of the year award and Clean Energy Initiative Company of the year. Other award winners are below:
  1. Energy news reporter-Michael Creg Afful
  2. Emerging Energy Comp-Webber Energy
  3. Brand of the Year- Vivo Energy
  4. CSR of year- Kosmos Energy
  5. Innovation Project-VRA
  6. Energy Consultancy-ACEP
  7. Off grid Energy Solution-TOTAL GH
  8. Energy Efficient Organisation Private – Ashesi University
  9. Energy Efficient Public-Energy Commission
  10. Energy Institution – Petroleum commission
  11. Excellence in power generation- Karpowership
  12. Strategic Deal-Springfield
  13. Clean Energy Initiative-VRA
  14. Rising Star, Individual- Ernest Amissah (CEO – Sun Power Innovations)
  15. Renewable Energy Company-  Strategic Security Systems
  16. Energy Company Power-Bui Power Authority
  17. Energy Company, Petroleum-Ghana Gas
  18. Energy Company Renewable – Strategic Security System
  19. Industry Leadership Power- GRIDCo
  20. Industry Leadership Petroleum-GOIL
  21. Energy Business Leadership, Male- Senyo Hosi
  22. Energy Business Leadership Female – Efuwa Quansah
  23. CEO Petroleum – Alhassan Tampuli
  24. Osagyefo young leadership – Benjamin Boakye
  25. Exemplary leadership-Peter Amewu
    Source:www.energynewsafrica.com