NNPC Highlights Gas infrastructure Delivery Plan, Growth Opportunities

Samuel Mobolaji

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has provided update on its oil and gas production growth plan, gas infrastructure project delivery plan as well as progress on refinery rehabilitation.

The highlights were high point of critical industry related meeting the management held with past leadership of the Company in Abuja.

The meeting called at the instance of the Group chief executive officer(GCEO) of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari to discuss crude theft among other, had in attendance previous Group Managing Directors(GMDs), of the company, who, at the meeting, expressed excitement about current drive to shore up production of crude oil. The meeting further explained issues related to petroleum product supply and energy security were discussed.

In a communique presented at the end of the meeting, the former GMDs of NNPC, expressed their unwavering support for the current leadership and their commendable efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors. The forum equally provided insights on NNPC’s transition post Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, the challenges and opportunities therefrom.

The event shared insights into the company’s business activities in the context of global energy industry dynamics, strategic aspirations and operational updates.

While they commended Mele Kyari as the first Group CEO to implement the PIA,  the GMDs noted with satisfaction the progress made with hope that its limitations will be addressed over time.

They also acknowledged with satisfaction the significant progress made in increasing crude oil and gas production, funding of upstream operations and investments as well as gas supply and infrastructure development for domestic and export including CNG and LPG delivery.

They also expressed appreciation for the refineries rehabilitation progress, reduction in carbon emissions and commercialisation of Nigeria’s vast gas resources.

The attendees of the meeting expressed their satisfaction in the achievements recorded and encouraged the management team to continue advancing strategies to improve operations, grow portfolio, and manage talent.

“We note with satisfaction the continuation of the policy on recruitment which takes into consideration the principles of diversity and inclusion as well as performance based career progression via a transparent process. We also noted that limited information is in the public domain on NNPC’s operations since transition to a private commercial entity. This has led to misleading commentary which we believe is not in tandem with the strides achieved by the company.” said the communique.

They also empathised with the management team over the state of onshore operations with over seven thousand illegal refineries destroyed and over five thousand illegal connections removed and reiterated that any attack on crude oil and gas facilities as well as illegal refining are acts of criminality and economic sabotage.

Therefore, all activities hindering oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria must be sanctioned, they urged.

“We appreciate that the PIA has made provisions for the Host communities’ development and also provided for sustainable funding. We trust that Government Security Agencies will do the needful and ensure that crude oil theft, illegal refining and activities of pipeline vandals are stopped to allow for investment and growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We appreciate the support that all tiers of Government and the Nigerian citizens continue to give NNPC and trust that this will be sustained by the present administration of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” they added.