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Tag: Group Managing Director of NNPC

  • NNPC to extend AKK project to North Africa

    The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, says the corporation is considering the extension of Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project to Algeria to ensure African integration.

    Baru disclosed this in a statement issued by the corporation in Abuja on Wednesday.
    “The AKK gas pipeline to Algeria was in furtherance of its African integration drive, Baru said, adding that it was also in line with plans to extend the West African Gas Pipeline, (WAGP) to Morocco.

    Baru spoke when the executive officers of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) paid him a visit in Abuja.
    He also said that the corporation was achieving satisfactory progress with oil exploration activities at the Kolmani River II Well.

    He said that the corporation had drilled 6,700 feet in the well, noting that the target for the Kolmani River well was 14,200 feet.
    He added that the depth could be longer, depending on findings.
    He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari should be commended for the progress being made on the drilling of the well, adding that prospecting for oil and gas in Kolmani River-II Well was one of the recent forays of the government into inland exploration in parts of the country.

    The GMD also commended PETAN for its contribution to the development of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

    “My pride in PETAN is that today, we have the capacity and expertise as Nigerians to carry out any job in the industry that was hitherto done by foreigners.

    “As a champion of Nigerian content, we will continue to support you in whatever way we can,” he said.
    In his remarks, Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, commended Baru for engineering transformation in every aspect of the petroleum industry since his assumption of office.

    He cited the resumption of exploration in the inland basins and the flag-off of Bonga South–west project, which has been in the shelf for more than 10 years, as fruits of Baru’s visionary leadership and doggedness.

    Read also: NNPC records 12.13b trading surplus for December

    The PETAN chairman said that in recognition of Baru’s sterling performance and as a mark of appreciation to him, the association had decided to honour him with its “Visionary Leadership Award”.

    He said Baru would also officially open the Nigerian Pavilion at the forthcoming Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and serve as keynote speaker on the theme: “Nigeria’s Deepwater: The Journey So Far” at the conference.

    He said the GMD would also serve as chairman of the technical session.

    The PETAN chairman explained that the association was committed to the realization of the nation’s four million barrels per day production and 40 billion barrels reserve targets, adding that with Baru’s commitment, the targets would be achieved.(NAN)

  • Fuel scarcity: Senate summons NNPC GMD

    Fuel scarcity: Senate summons NNPC GMD

    Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Tuesday invited the Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Maikanti Baru to throw light on the fear of fuel scarcity in the country.

    The committee also said that it has concluded arrangements to begin nationwide inspection of filling stations following fears of possible fuel scarcity in the country.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Marafa, stated this while briefing journalists shortly after an investigative hearing on the issues.

    The Zamfara Central lawmaker noted that the Senate would not watch some unpatriotic persons put Nigerians through any form of hardship, particularly given the yuletide period.

    He said that though the Senate had adjourned to begin budget defence, members of the committee would take time out to go on the oversight.

    He added that members of the committee will be divided into subcommittees to make it possible for them to visit all the states of the federation.

    Marafa said, “First thing first. The welfare of Nigerians especially in this season is that a lot of them will be travelling to reunite with their love ones is paramount.

    “We will take time out to embark on a serious oversight. We will break into sub-committees to be able to cover the entire country.

    “We have already mandated the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to furnish us with the daily distribution.

    “This is to enable the sub-committees to be armed with detailed evidence of which filling station was given what quantity of fuel.

    “We will also get these details from the filling stations to ascertain when last they got supplies and the quantity sold.

    “We will not stop at that. We will also inspect tanks in filling stations to ensure that Nigerians are not taken advantage of.’’

    The committee has summoned the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru, to appear before it on Thursday, Dec. 7, having failed to appear before it on Tuesday.

    “Immediately the issue came up, we contacted NNPC to know the situation of things and we were told that the rumours were unfounded and that they have written rejoinders to that effect.

    “However, given the seriousness of the matter, we decided to invite the GMD to come brief us on the development and to enable Nigerians know the situation of things.

    “Unfortunately he wrote informing us of his inability to honour the invitation.

    “We hope he will be back by Thursday to tell Nigerians the true situation. Even if he cannot make it he can send people that are in good authority to speak on his behalf.

    “There is an Executive Director in charge of Downstream who oversees the downstream generally. There is also the Managing Director   of Petroleum and Product Marketing Company.

    “So, whatever it is by next tomorrow we will be able to tell Nigerians what the situation is like and what the Senate is going to do in the event of any eventuality.’’

    The Committee chairman warned filling stations in the habit of hoarding fuel to inflict untold pains on Nigerians to desist as it would not be business as usual.

    Marafa assured that the Senate would work with relevant agencies of government to severely punish any filling station found wanting.

    He said, “By yesterday night all relevant agencies were given a marching order by phone president to get into town to ensure that any filling station that hoards fuel will be appropriately dwelt with.

    `The NNPC has also been directed to look at their supply chain and inform the relevant agencies of their supplies to various stations while they work with that plan to see that anybody found hoarding the product will be sanctioned.

    “We will take appropriate measures also as a committee to ensure that any marketer found wanting would be dealt with,’’ he said.

    Marafa also assured Nigerians that the Senate would do everything possible to break the jinx of unnecessary fuel scarcity in the country during festivities.

    Nigerians, he said, should avoid panic buying and go about their daily activities.

  • Vandalism: NNPC scales up security on pipelines 

    Vandalism: NNPC scales up security on pipelines 

    In its determination to ensure that the current steady supply of petroleum products nationwide is sustained, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has intensified efforts to safeguard its pipeline from vandals and fire outbreaks in line with best safety practices.

    The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who disclosed this while receiving a delegation of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, (OSHA) UK, Nigeria Chapter, at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, said the Corporation, would continue to monitor its pipelines and collaborate with the law enforcement agencies to safeguard such critical national asset.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu disclosed this in a statement Tuesday.

    The GMD said that in line with safety standards, NNPC pipelines right-of-way across all locations had been clearly indicated to keep members of the public away from the facilities so as not to come to harm.

    “In our various pipelines running across several kilometers and locations, right-of- way is indicated to show that people should not temper with the facility because of the danger that is involved. This is done to ensure that when there is safety breach, we have access to the affected spot and intervene accordingly,” the GMD stated.

    He disclosed that an attack on the Port Harcourt – Aba a few days ago resulted in massive products loss and damage to the environment, adding that though there was no loss of lives in the incident, it took much effort and time to bring the huge fire that broke out under control.

    “We will use this opportunity to call on pipeline vandals to please keep away from our pipeline because they are not carrying liquid that can easily be handled like water. We are calling on the general public that when they see the sign on the pipeline, they should not temper with in their own interest and that of the nation,” Dr. Baru pleaded.

    He said the Corporation would stop at nothing to ensure that the pipelines were continuously monitored and that anybody caught trying to sabotage oil facilities would be handed over to the law enforcement agency to face appropriate sanctions, adding that in the Port-Harcourt – Aba pipeline incident one suspect was apprehended and handed over to the authorities.

    Dr. Baru urged members of the public to support NNPC by reporting any suspicious activity around pipelines and other oil and gas facilities, stressing that the Corporation, on its own part, would do everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property around its facilities.

    Shedding light on NNPC’s safety practice, the GMD said that in view of the complex and technical nature of its operations, the Corporation accords safety a special priority.

    “We are very much determined to ensure that our processes and procedures meet the highest safety standard. Dealing with inflammable liquids and gasses requires utmost care. Our watchword to ensure that is: Safety to one is safety to all; that defines how we handle safety issues,” the GMD said.

    He said NNPC held HSE Week annually across its subsidiaries to sensitise personnel, contractors and visitors on the need to adhere strictly to its safety standards, adding that the Corporation’s safety policies and procedures were reviewed regularly to comply with the highest safety standards.

    Speaking at the event, the leader of the delegation and Regional President of OSHA, Nigeria Branch, Dr. Dalhatu Mohammed Ahmed, stated that the purpose of their visit was to carry the GMD along in their drive to ensure safety of workers and equipment in view of the position occupied by the NNPC in the Nigerian economy as one of the largest employer of labour in the country and major revenue earner.

    Dr. Ahmed applauded the GMD for his numerous initiatives to ensure safety of staff and assets across the corporation’s value chain.

    “I want to commend the efforts of the GMD as far as safety of lives and property is concerned in the corporation. It is interesting to see that the NNPC has done a lot in terms of safety. Safety is everybody’s business as it is a multi-dimensional issue that requires multi-dimensional approach,” Dr. Dalhatu averred.

    The GMD and the NNPC General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Mr. Ahmed Shehu were conferred with a fellowship of the association.

  • NNPC, ExxonMobil fine-tune strategy for improved production

    NNPC, ExxonMobil fine-tune strategy for improved production

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its upstream joint venture partner, ExxonMobil, are seeking new measures to expand existing operational portfolio with a view to increasing crude oil production and availability of gas for power generation.

    Speaking in Abuja after a meeting with a high-powered ExxonMobil delegation led by Mr. Jack Williams, Senior Vice-President of the United States-based global oil Corporation, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the joint venture with ExxonMobil, which until recently was the highest producer of crude oil in the country, was primed to make a rebound.

    He said the Corporation had advanced talks with ExxonMobil on major operational issues like improved drilling to increase production and refurbishment of crude oil pipelines as well as supply of gas to the planned Qua Iboe Independent Power Plant among others.

    Baru, according to the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu’s statement Thursday said: “More importantly we also discussed their recommitment to supply gas to the domestic market and this is something that is very positive and they are willing; we would quickly roll-out the programme to ensure that sufficient gas comes in for the IPP. We also secured a commitment from them to end gas flare at QIT and other production areas.”

    Describing the meeting as very fruitful, Williams on his part noted that ExxonMobil was committed to growing its production in Nigeria ’’safely and with much integrity’’.

    To underscore its aspiration for growth in production, Williams hinted that ExxonMobil was set to increase its JV budget for 2018 operations.