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  • Agip, STAC Marine seal HSE deal

    Agip, STAC Marine seal HSE deal

    Eni’s subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and STAC Marine in demonstration of their commitment to Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), have signed what they tagged: “Pact for Safety and Environment”.

    The two companies seal the deal as they mark one year of successful collaboration for the operation and maintenance of the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities located in the offshore deepwater of ABO field.

    This milestone reaffirms NAE’s commitment to partnering with local companies that excel in safety and operational excellence to maximise Nigerian participation in the energy industry, according to a statement from the oil major.

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    Pact for Safety and Environment, which was developed by Eni’s Safety Competency Centre, focuses on the critical role of the human factor in ensuring a safe and reliable workplace. The Pact, signed by the top management of both NAE and STAC, is a critical step towards achieving Eni’s Zero Incident safety target by enhancing safety performance across all operations.

    In 2023, after several years of operation and maintenance by an international contractor, STAC took over responsibility for the FPSO. As of November 2024, STAC has successfully completed one year of safe, efficient, and smooth operations.

    Eni has been operating in Nigeria since 1962, actively engaging in hydrocarbon exploration and production. Currently, Eni has a substantial portfolio of assets in exploration and production through the branches Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Agip Energy Natural Resources Nigeria (AENR). The company also holds a participation interest in Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

  • Agip urges Niger Delta youths to embrace agriculture

    The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has urged youths in the Niger Delta to embrace the current revolution in agriculture.

    NAOC, during its 22nd Farmers’ Day celebration, which attracted hundreds of farmers from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo States, appealed to youths to key into its Green River Project (GRP) in the region.

    The GRP was held at NAOC-GRP Farms in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    Chairman of NAOC Limited Guido Brusco, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the company’s GRP since he assumed office in 2015, said: “It is my joy to see that the little seed we sowed 31 years ago has grown into an annual programme that brings stakeholders from all walks of life in an atmosphere of friendship and celebration.

    “This shows that the objective of establishing the scheme, which was to introduce and expose our communities to modern techniques of farming, has been realised.”

    Brusco praised the governments of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo states for supporting the initiative.

    NAOC’s General Manager Tiani Alessandro said the theme of the year’s celebration was extremely important because it epitomised the company’s drive to sensitise to empower a critical sector of the populace.

    He said: “Our focus with the GRP has always been to make farming very attractive and accessible to our women, the youths and children, particularly those in secondary schools.

    “This is done through formation of cooperative societies, exposure to techniques of modern farming, provision of the necessary support and tools as well as various scheme.

    “This has led to the training and endowment of 275 youths in 2018 and further proposed training and endowment of 350 youths from our host communities in 2019 in various agro-entrepreneurial schemes to make them self-employed.

    “Our investment in agriculture will continue to get great attention. And so I use this opportunity to encourage our youths and women to embrace agriculture, which has so much potential yet to be fully appropriated.”

    NAOC Vice-Chairman/Managing Director Lorenzo Fiorillio said the celebration afforded the farmers opportunities to showcase their products, network with other stakeholders and the company to reward outstanding farmers.

    He, however, said: “It is sad to note that this year has been particularly difficult for our farmers following devastating flood that ravaged most of the communities in the Niger Delta.

    “As a company, we believe this event will energise farmers all over our areas of operation to put every required efforts towards a bountiful harvest in 2019.”

    Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke Prof. Seth Accra Jaja, in his keynote address, noted that the Federal Government had shown concern on the need to develop agriculture.

  • Agip, community on collision over MoU

    The Odede family, Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State has given a 30-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed on the use of their family land since 2001.

    A letter dated October 22, 2018, and signed by Simon Ngbakor on behalf of the Odede family threatened to approach the court for redress if NAOC fails to accede to their demands.

    The family also demanded the payment of N510, 000,000.00 for the use of the land being the total sum of the N30,000,000.00 yearly since 2002.

    The family, in the letter, lamented the gift of one goat and a bag of rice from NAOC, Port-Harcourt branch  yearly to the family and the community crisis in Irri which NAOC has been using as excuse not to fulfil its own part of the bargain.

    It said the land, which their progenitor left for them, form part of Odede family land and have been farming on it being their major occupation in the family, stating that sometimes in 2001, the family was approached by NAOC to use the land for flow station.

    ‘’Thereafter verbal agreement was reached with our clients and your company wherein it was agreed that the sum of N10,000,000.00 will be given to our clients annually for the use of the land.

    ‘’We were informed by our clients that one of the verbal terms of the agreement in respect of employment of members of our clients’ family and that of contracts were not also met by your company. All the attempts made to see that your company reduces the verbal agreement into writing and the need to comply with the terms proved abortive as our clients were always driven back by the security attachment in your company.

    land without the consent of  Moroko Odede and Matthew Edeki, the Head of the family and Principal member of the family  respectively, is of no effect.

     

  • Agip warns contractors against flouting govt regulation 

    The Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and its Joint Venture partners yesterday began a special training for contractors on dangers of disobeying government regulation and extant laws.

    The fifth edition of the capacity building programme, attracted contractors, oil magnates and managers in public and private oil establishments across the country, especially Niger Delta.

    NAOC, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Oando, which partnered on the programme, said contractors should obey the laws to avoid legal pitfalls.

    NAOC’s Vice Chairman/Managing Director Mr. Lorenzo Fiorillo, who opened the workshop, said it was designed to develop the capacity of Nigerian-owned companies to participate in oil and gas and help the government achieve its local content laws.

    He said the workshop would address gaps in competencies for business growth, adding that Agip and its joint partners would deepen the capability of stakeholders.

    Fiorillo, represented by general manager, Distribution, Alessandro Tiani said: “Nigerian companies will be equipped with knowledge and best practices required to close the gaps in their understanding of relevant regulations in the contracting and procurement process in the Nigerian oil and gas industry”.

    Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, said the country lost  $380 billion to capital flight following lack of capacity by Nigerians in oil and gas

    He said the inability of the country to enhance its potential led to loss of jobs to foreigners and low participation of Nigerians in the industry.

    “Nigerian content was only five per cent. Today, we have achieved 28 per cent local content retention, increase in capacity, and engineering capability, fabrication among others.”

    To tackle the problem, Wabote, represented by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at NCDMB Patrick Obah said a 10-year strategic plan was in place to increase local content in oil and gas from 28 per cent to 70 per cent by 2027.

    He said the launch of the $200 million intervention fund with an interest rate of eight per cent for local contractors would assist local contractors.

    Also speaking, Oando’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Wale Tinubu, represented by Adeyemi Oreagba, head of Government and External Relations, said Oando would support community-based companies doing business in the country.

  • Bayelsa community lauds Agip over road project

    Bayelsa community lauds Agip over road project

    Egbemo Angalabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa  State has lauded the Nigerian Agip Oil Company NAOC , operator of the NNPC/NAOC/ONDO Joint Venture over a 500m road project.

    Speaking on behalf of the communuty, the Community Development Committee Chairman, Mr. Pumokumo Gabice said it was very gratifying to the community to see the completion and commissioning of the road project by NAOC and its joint Venture Partners.

    According to him,  the inauguration of the project  is a dream come true for the people of Egbemo Angalabiri community.

    He thanked the company for fulfilling the terms of the memorandum of understanding with the community and urged other oil companies operating within Egbemo Angalabiri territory to emulate NAOC and its JV partners.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the project, the Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, Mr. Massimo Insulla, said the road project will not only ease internal mobility within the community but will also improve both the economic and general well-being of the people of Egbemo Angalabiri community

    Represented by the Stakeholders Management and Community Development Division Manager of the Company, Mr. Dennis Masi, the Managing Director said the road was  in fulfilment of the terms of the MoU.

     

  • Agip to enforce London Court award

    After five years of legal battle, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted an application by the Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited to enforce an award made by the London Court of International Arbitration in a dispute with Allied Energy Plc and Camac International (Nigeria) Limited.

    Justice Hadiza R. Shagari gave the order following an application by Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited. Allied Energy Plc and Camac International (Nigeria) Limited are the respondents.

    The applicant prayed the court to grant leave for the final award made in London Court on February 14, 2017 between it and the respondents to be recognized and enforced in Nigeria.

    The application was brought pursuant to “section 31 (1) and (2), Section 51 (1) and (2) and Section 57 (1) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act CAP A18, Volume 1, laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”

    Ruling, Justice Shagari granted the application as prayed. She held: “It is hereby ordered that leave be granted to the Claimant/Applicant that the London Court of International Arbitration Final Award made in London between Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Allied Energy Plc, Camac International Limited and Camac International (Nigeria) Limited be recognised and enforced by this honourable court.”

  • Reps summon Agip chief over $30m contract braech

    Reps summon Agip chief over $30m contract braech

    The House of Representatives has given the management of Nigeria  Agip Oil Company Ltd a 13-day to appear before it over an alleged breach of contract with an indegenous remediation company.

    The House specifically summoned its Managing Director, Director Procurement as well as its Director, Legal in addition to six other employees of the oil firm to make physical appearance before the Committee on the said date.

    The Uzoma Nkem-Abonta-led Public Petition Committe was displeased that the absence of NAOC’s MD and the other officials was stalling it’s investigation into the alleged contract breach with an indegenous waste management frim that petitioned the House.

    In a letter dated November 15, 2017 and addressed to the NAOC’s MD, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction  with the non-appearance of the key officials at last Tuesday meeting, warning that without the appearance of the MD and his management team, the investigation would remain unresolved.

    Consequently, the Committee requested the physical appearance of the affected officials of the firm to give evidence in the alleged breach of 20,000 metric tons  waste management contract.

    According to an indegenous waste  company, Agip had in 2006 commissioned it to provide treatment service for 20,000 metric tons of sludge at its Brass site at a rate of $230 per ton.

     

    However, it was alleged by the indegenous company that with a change of management and after 5,250 metric tons of sludge have been treated, Agip decided to renege on the initial contract agreement.

    The petitioner is demanding the House to prevail on  Agip to pay it $30million adjudged by a court for breach of contract and unpaid balance due already incinerated waste.

    Similarly, the House is also considering the next legislative action against construction company, Julius Berger Plc.

    The House had considered and adopted a Public Petition Committee report on a petition against the construction company for a debt of N422million it owed a micro fiance bank.

    The debt was the proceeds and accrued interest for a contract executed over 20 years ago.

    The resolution of the House following the adoption of the report on  September 26, 2017 was conveyed to the construction company in a letter by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori and received on October 5, 2017.

    The House was concerned that no action has been taken by the construction company yet and is considering the next legislative action to resolve the issue, it was gathered.

     

  • Agip spends $5.4 billion on job creation

    Agip spends $5.4 billion on job creation

    The Vice Chairman/Managing Director, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NOAC), Massimo Insulla, has said the Italian oil giant has spent over $5.4 billion in-country, to create jobs and boost economy.

    He said the oil firm is supporting and celebrating the rapid growth of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry in order to motivate more local players.

    He stated this at the 2017 Nigerian Content activities organised  by NAOC at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with concentration on Indigenous Technology and ENI/Universities Collaborative Research Forum and Exhibition, which was also used to sign a pact with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to grow the nation’s content and its economy.

    Insulla pointed out that the oil firm’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MAN was aimed at encouraging manufacturing, give the sector a boost and seek mutual cooperation to grow Nigerian content.

    He said: “The forum is significant because of the mission of Eni, which recognises that diversity across all aspects of our operations and organisation is something to be cherished. We believe in the value of long-term partnerships with the countries and communities where we operate.

    “In the last six years, Eni has domiciled over $5.4 billion in-country, to create jobs and boost economy. For over 55 years, we have been working in Nigeria to build a future where everyone can access energy resources efficiently and sustainably. This is who we are.

    “We are celebrating the rapid growth of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry, since the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010, the great works of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), as well as the giant strides of our indigenous service providers, academia, MAN and Petroleum Technology Association, among others.

    “As a demonstration of Eni’s commitment to expand our operations and grow Nigerian content, we are implementing a number of projects in the Nigerian oil and gas, as well as energy sectors, including deep offshore project, Independent Power Project (IPP) phase two, ongoing feasibility for construction of a brand new 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery, support  for rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery, efficiency study of the national grid and support for alternative energy mix.

  • Agip spends $5.4b on Nigerian content

    Agip spends $5.4b on Nigerian content

    The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has spent $5.4 billion to grow and develop Nigerian content.

    Speaking during a two-day workshop for NAOC SMEs Vendors yesterday, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital,  its Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Massimo Insulla, said the oil major spent the money over the last six years adding that the multinational is in the forefront of the marine initiative.

    He said during the petriod, the company embarked on a number of activities including, but not limited to internship arrangement with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to provide mandatory practical sea time experience for cadets.

    He said the two-day succession planning workshop, was the second for the year hosted by Eni, Agip’s parent company.

    Insulla said the workshop was designed to equip proprietors and management of SMEs with skills and best practices in planning for continuity and sustainability of their businesses in case of incapacitation, retirement or old age.

    He said: ‘’This programme is significant because it aligns with the new vision of Eni which recognises that diversity across all aspects of our operations and organisation is something to be cherished. We believe in the value of long term partnerships with the countries and communities where we operate.

    ‘’As a demonstration of Eni’s commitment to expand our operations and grow Nigerian content, we are implementing a number of projects in the Nigerian oil and gas as well as energy sector including our Zabazaba deep offshore project, ongoing feasibility for the construction of a brand new 150,00 barrel of oil per day (bpd) refinery, support for refurbishment of Port Harcourt refinery, efficiency of the national grid, alternative energy mix.

    ‘’We are engaged in consolidating our relationship with recognised trainers for the training of 280 seafarers at Maritime Academy, Oron and Joemarine Nautical Company, Warri.

    ‘’We are engaged in training of 10 subsea engineers in collaboration with the NCDMB as well as various project-based training which has so far benefitted 204 trainees nominated from NCDMB as well as impacted host communities.

    ‘’Our vendor finance scheme which started in 2014 in collaboration with Stanbic IBTC and Zenith banks has provided opportunities for our contractors to access funds at favourable terms in order to continue to provide services to our companies.’’

    Also speaking on the occasion, Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, urged businessmen and women in the state to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the NCDMB to grow and sustain their businesses.

    While identifying the development of SMEs as critical to any economy, the governor said access to capital remained the major constraint in business development and sustainability.

    He urged the people of the state to get actively involved in the oil and gas industry to enable them take charge of their local economy.

  • Senate probes concession of Port Harcourt refinery to Agip, Oando plc

    Senate probes concession of Port Harcourt refinery to Agip, Oando plc

    …Asks petroleum ministry to suspend all transactions

     

    The Senate Tuesday resolved to investigate the planned concession of the Port Harcourt Refinery to Agip and Oando plc by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    The upper chamber also asked the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to stop all processes and transactions regarding the concession pending the conclusion and submission of the report of its ad-hoc committee set up to probe the deal.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion entitled “Non transparent transaction relating to the planned concession of the Port Harcourt Refinery to Agip and Oando by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources,” sponsored by Senator Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa South).

    Mohammed in his lead debate expressed worry about alleged non-transparent transactions of the planned concession of the Port Harcourt Refinery to Agip and Oando by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    The lawmaker said that he is aware that the Federal Government recently entered into an agreement with Nigerian Agip oil company, a subsidiary of ENI, an Italian oil giant to construct a $15 billion refinery in the Niger Delta region, a deal which also includes investment by Agip in a power plant with the Italian company assisting Nigeria in repairs of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachukwu, he said informed that the agreement was part of a broader Federal Government plan to increase capacity for local production and consumption of petroleum products with the aim of ending fuel importation in the country by 2019.

    He noted that while the resolve by the Federal Government to increase local refining capacity is laudable and should be applauded by all Nigerians, the observance of corporate governance principles and the country’s extant laws must be followed to the latter.

    Mohammed said that he is concerned that it is not yet clear if the new arrangement is a concession agreement or an agreement to build a new refinery.

    He noted that the confusion became obvious following the disclosure on May 11, 2017 by the Chief Executive Officer of Oando plc on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange that the group had received approval of the Federal Government to repair, operate and maintain the Port Harcourt Refinery with their partner Agip.

    He said that the development would have been wonderful because it would mean an end to importation of refined products by the year 2020, “but many questions are begging for answers, such as it it Agip/ENI or Oando plc that is taking over Port Harcourt Refinery?

    The lawmaker also wanted to know whether there was observance of the privatization law as regards due diligence, selection from preferred bidders before ceding the Port Harcourt Refinery to Agip/Oando.

    Mohammed said that the Senate should be concerned that the planned concession of the Port Harcourt Refinery to Agip/ ENI in partnership with Oando plc without recourse to due process is illegal and a clear attempt at ridiculing Nigerians and would definitely create a big hole that would be hard to fill in the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration.

    He said that he is aware that in such transaction, “the best practice is to select partners through open and competitive bids.

    He insisted that any exclusive arrangement that does not follow due process, one hatched in the dark without the knowledge and participation of relevant stakeholders tend to lead to sub-optional outcome for the seller, in this case the Federal Government.

    He lamented that major stakeholders such as BPE that was empowered by law to conduct such exercise and labour unions are not aware of the deal that is supposed to be signed officially in July this year.

    He said that the Senate should be concerned that since Agip has no technical record/history in the Port Harcourt Refinery that was built by a Japanese firm, “one would have expected the concerned authority to look at the Warri Refinery that was built by Agip where they have technical record.

    Mohammed said that he is saddened that on assumption of office as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Kachukwu declared that by the end of 2015, the Port Harcourt, Warrit and Kaduna refineries would be working a 90 per cent capacity, thus reducing  importation and the subsidy controversies.

    He said that it is sad that “up till now in 2017, the refineries are yet to be fixed and cannot even produce at 50 per cent not to mention 90 per cent.”

    Some senators who spoke warned that the Port Harcourt refinery must not be allowed to go the way of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and other privatized organizations in the country.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, raised a seven-man team to investigate the planned concession.

    Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North) is named chairman of committee. Other  members of the committee included Mathew Urhoghide, Duro Faseye, Benjamin Uwajumogu, Sabo Mohammed, Dino Melaye, Aliyu Wamakko.