Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy in charge of Petroleum, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has appealed to consumers of LPG products in the northern part of the country to support the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) policy, being implemented by petroleum downstream regulator, NPA, to address the issue of petroleum fires in the industry.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) had a stakeholder’s meeting with residents in the Tamale metropolis to interact with them about the policy and also take their questions, suggestions and feedback, as part of a long period to roll out the policy.
The Authority is expected to undertake a pilot exercise in Obuasi, Kweibibirem and Kade in the Eastern Region, before the entire programme is rolled out across the country.
So far, LPG consumers in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central regions of the West African country have been engaged on the policy.
Those in the Upper East Region also had their turn on Tuesday, August 13, 2019.
Interacting with residents in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region, Dr. Amin Adam indicated that the policy is not necessarily new, since it has been done some years ago, stating that “this is why Ghanaians must embrace it, despite the fears being expressed by a section of the public.”
“This policy will not succeed without you (consumers), the citizens of Ghana, who are primary users of LPG products,” he said.
The NPA, he said, is well positioned to carry the policy acknowledging that the contributions at such forums, means we would “succeed as a country.”
Dr. Amin assured industry players that the policy would not result in any job losses, as it is being speculated.
“There are many people who say we are going to create unemployment through this policy…I want to assure you that this government will be the last to kick people out of their jobs,” he said.
The Northern Regional Minister Salifu Sa-eed, who was also at the programme, admonished the residents to embrace the policy, since it would help address the health challenges associated with the use of wood fuels in the region.
On his part, Chief Executive of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli, reiterated his outfit’s commitment to continue soliciting the views of consumers in the country, before the policy is fully implemented.
Gabriel Kumi of the LPG Marketers Association, who indicated his outfit’s preparedness to work with the NPA, appealed to the government to have a look at the tax components on LPG products, as it would help open up the market and boost consumption.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Speaking at a regional stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region, Tuesday, Mr Tampuli urged those opposing the new model to take a second look at their stance.
“We have had a number of consultations with members of the Council of State, members of the National House of Chiefs, the Asantehene, Parliament Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Regional House of Chiefs, residents of Nima, Kotobaabi, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Western region respectively, as well as the media in Volta, Eastern, Northern and Brong-Ahafo,” he said.
Mr Tampuli said too many lives have been lost in gas explosions and the situation has to change for the better.
“Indeed we cannot forget the unfortunate incident of June 3, 2015, in which a number of lives were lost. Neither can we forget the infamous Atomic Junction gas explosion which shook the country in the last quarter of 2017.
“Another avoidable gas explosion occurred at the Trinity Gas Station in Krofrom, in the Ashanti Region, killing two people, injuring several others and properties worth millions of cedis destroyed,” he said.
He said lives cannot be lost at the expense of financial gains.
Some participants encouraged NPA not to give in to persons deliberately frustrating its efforts to address challenges regarding customers’ safety.
The participants said the Authority needs to step up its public education because not many people are aware of the issues articulated at the engagement.
“There are too many lives that have already been lost…we cannot wait for another disaster to befall others,” a participant with the Police Wives’ Association said.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
The Phase 1 development concept for the SNE field is a stand-alone FPSO facility with subsea infrastructure. It will be designed to allow subsequent SNE development phases, including options for potential gas export to shore and for future subsea tiebacks from other reservoirs and fields.
The contract for front-end engineering design (FEED) for the SNE field development
Phase 1 FPSO vessel was awarded last February to Japan’s MODEC. The FPSO will be designed to produce around 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with the first oil production targeted in 2022. The FPSO will be moored in water depth of approximately 800 meters. 
The non-operated Carapa 1 well will be drilled, later this year, on the adjacent Kanuku license to test the Cretaceous oil play.
Tullow is the operator of the Orinduik block with a 60% stake. Total holds 25% with the remaining 15% being held by Eco(Atlantic) Guyana Inc.
Commenting on the discovery, Chief Executive Office of Tullow Oil, Paul McDade said: “This substantial and high value oil discovery in Guyana is an outcome of the significant technical and commercial focus which has underpinned the reset of our exploration portfolio. It is an excellent start to our drilling campaign in the highly prolific Guyana oil province. We look forward to drilling both the Joe and Carapa prospects in our 2019 drilling campaign and the material follow-up exploration potential in both the Orinduik and Kanuku licenses.”
In a separate statement on Monday Eco Atlantic said that Jethro-1 is a significant oil discovery.
Colin Kinley, COO and Co-Founder of Eco Atlantic, said: “Jethro is a fantastic find for us. This discovery was made due to our team at Eco and Kinley Exploration stepping out beyond the conventional exploration plays and seeking new resources through old-fashioned exploration science.
“The Jethro-1 well confirms the continuance of the petroleum system onto the Orinduik Block, up dip from the prolific discoveries on the Exxon-operated Stabroek Block. The well has resulted in a mitigation of risk of the presence of quality reservoir sands, seal and trap parameters. We have multiple drilling targets on the block with similar geophysical characteristics and we are moving the Stena Forth drillship immediately to its next target, Joe-1. The Joe-1 location is just a short move to a shallower target, and is expected to spud mid-August.
“The Orinduik Block, and the corner of the block where Jethro is located, were selected and pinned for drilling long before the first Exxon discovery.”
Gil Holzman, CEO and Co-Founder of Eco Atlantic stated: “This is a transformational event for the Company, and we now need to strategically plan for an even brighter future. With multiple targets to consider, and Joe as the next prospect to be drilled, we will now pursue our evaluation of the timing for wells to develop the Jethro field and to expediently bring it on production. We are funded for at least six additional wells.