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Tag: FIRST E&P

  • FIRST E&P expands footprint to Africa

    FIRST E&P expands footprint to Africa

    In a new venture that underscores its commitment to expanding its footprint and contributing to Africa’s energy future, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).

    The deal is for the technical assessment and potential development of the Mnazi Bay North Block in southern Tanzania, and is seen as a significant step toward advancing regional energy development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    The MoU signing ceremony took place at the TPDC Head Office in Dodoma, Tanzania, during the week, with senior executives from both organisations, representatives of the Government of Tanzania, and members of the media in attendance.

    FIRST E&P currently produces approximately 57, 000 barrels of oil per day in joint venture with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), operating Petroleum Mining Lease (PPL) 53, PML 54, Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) 275, PPL 276, and PPL 277 in Nigeria.

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    FIRST E&P’s partnership with TPDC represents a major milestone in unlocking Tanzania’s abundant energy potential and advancing regional energy security.

    By fully funding the assessment phase, FIRST E&P is demonstrating both its confidence in the block’s significant gas prospects and its long-term commitment to supporting Tanzania’s energy development.

    The ultimate objective is to advance to a license agreement and develop this opportunity into a world-class producing asset.

    Managing Director, FIRST E&P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, highlighted the company’s proven track record and strategic vision, saying “Our success in Nigeria, built on deep technical expertise, a high-performance team, and an entrepreneurial mindset, has positioned us to deploy our capabilities beyond our home market.

    “We believe Tanzania holds world-class hydrocarbon resources and its strategic location positions it as a natural energy hub for the region.

    “With the right investments and partnerships, Tanzania can play a pivotal role in improving energy access, enabling cross-border distribution, and driving regional energy security across Sub-Saharan Africa.”

    Adeyemi-Bero further emphasised the importance of the partnership, stating, “We are confident that this MoU marks not just the beginning of a project, but the start of a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between FIRST E&P and the government and people of Tanzania.

    “We extend our sincere appreciation to TPDC for their collaborative spirit, professionalism, and openness throughout this process.”

    Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Petroleum and Gas, Ministry of Energy, Tanzania, Godluck Shirima, noted that “The Petroleum Act of 2015 empowers TPDC to develop blocks independently or in partnership with strategic collaborators.

    “TPDC has since identified key blocks, including Mnazi Bay, and we are working in close coordination with Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Ministry of Energy, and TPDC to progress development.

    Shirima further said: “This MoU marks a first-of-its-kind upstream initiative, and we look forward to commencing exploration and production activities. With FIRST E&P’s support, we believe Tanzania’s upstream sector will be significantly strengthened.”

    For the Managing Director of TPDC, Mussa Makame, “The reality we must acknowledge as Africans is that many of our people still rely on biomass for energy; an option that poses serious risks to both health and the environment.

    “Transitioning to gas is a critical step toward ensuring energy security for our communities. Developing our reserves is, therefore, a national priority.

    “It is even more encouraging when African companies collaborate to unlock these resources, as it allows us to harness and benefit from them right here on our own soil.”

    The MoU, according to a statement made available to The Nation, marks the first step toward potentially converting the Mnazi Bay North Block into a world-class producing asset, one that could significantly enhance regional energy security, support cross-border energy distribution, and catalyze socio-economic development in Tanzania and beyond.

  • NNPCL, FIRST E&P, NCF move to restore local biodiversity

    NNPCL, FIRST E&P, NCF move to restore local biodiversity

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), have announced the launch of the ALEC Initiative (Afforestation, Livelihood Enhancement, and Carbon Sequestration).

    The initiative, seen as a decisive move towards environmental sustainability and community empowerment, will work to combat critical issues of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change in 11 littoral communities of Bayelsa State while simultaneously enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the local population.

    In Nigeria, the situation calls for immediate action, with an estimated 70-80 per cent of the nation’s original forests already lost to unsustainable logging and agricultural expansion, as reported by Global Forest Watch and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

    Moreover, Nigeria harbours 309 species that are currently listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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    Without immediate and decisive action, Nigeria is on track to lose its remaining mangrove forests by 2050, according to projections by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) – a loss that would not only exacerbate the effects of climate change but also further endanger the country’s rich biodiversity.

    In response to these pressing issues, the ALEC Initiative will plant half a million trees over a span of five years and work towards rehabilitating and conserving critical ecosystems in the host communities for the NNPC Ltd/FIRST E&P JV.

    In addition to contributing to global climate mitigation efforts through enhanced carbon sequestration, the initiative will help restore some critical mangrove and tropical forest habitats for these communities in a bid to create greener, more sustainable ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.

    Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, said, “This initiative reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility as well as a clear understanding that sustainable business success is inherently tied to the well-being of the communities we serve and the ecosystems we rely on.”

    During the official launch of the initiative with a signing event held at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, this week, the Executive Director, Corporate Services at FIRST E&P, Emmanuel, said: “The ALEC Project marks a pivotal step in our journey towards a sustainable future.”

    Etomi noted that “By restoring the vital ecosystems of our host communities, we are not only addressing a critical environmental need but also empowering local communities with new economic opportunities.

    “This project exemplifies the powerful synergy between environmental stewardship and community development, underscoring our deep commitment to leaving a lasting legacy of positive impact.”

    Also speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, remarked, “We are very excited about this project because it aligns with our strategic pillars, such as habitat restoration, tackling the climate crisis, and species conservation.”

    According to him, “This project will help us achieve some of the key goals we have set and ensure that people in the beneficiary communities, as well as Nigerians as a whole, enjoy a better quality of life while safeguarding the environment.”

    A statement, which was made available to The Nation by the partners, said the project marks the beginning of an ambitious journey toward environmental renewal and community resilience.

    It stated that the initiative not only reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss but also underscores the nation’s critical role in fostering sustainable development.