Tag: Lokpobiri

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that the Federal Government will continue to provide infrastructural, among other support to the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, so as to ensure competent manpower output for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Speaking at the matriculation ceremony of students for the 2023/2024 academic session of the PTI, the Minister noted that as the “12th largest oil producer in the world,” Nigeria depends on institutions such as the PTI for human resources in the petroleum industry.

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Represented by his Aide on Niger Delta, Pereotubo Oweilaemi, the Minister while pointing out that the oil and gas sector drives the Nigerian economy, asserted, “this implies that Nigeria needs a steady influx of competent technicians and technologists to sustain the current levels of production and ensure greater ability in harnessing our vast hydrocarbon potential.

“Institutions such as the PTI are poised to meet this important demand through the training and graduation of men and women that are expected to play part in this vital sector of the Nigerian economy.”

The Minister of State for  Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Thursday, May 23, revealed that over $20 billion investment from unnamed International Oil Companies (IOCs) was coming to the Nigeria.

He spoke while addressing the Schlumberger Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Olivier Le Peuch, who led a delegation of the company to the ministry in Abuja.

According to him, the over $20 billion is coming from different investors, whom he has decided to keep secret until it is time to consummate the project agreements.

His words: “We are also talking to a lot of big investors, who are going to invest big in the country. We are not going to announce until when the deal is finally consummated: Investment of over $20 billion. One company alone will invest $10 billion. The other one will invest $5 billion and like that.”

He added that one of the companies said there are over 100 wells that it would develop.

“Yesterday, I was taking to a company and the company said they have a 100 well they want to do.”

He informed the delegation that investors that had taken their leave from the country were gradually returning.

The minister noted that production has been declining because there has been no investment in the country in the last five years. 

He however said that the present administration is reversing that trend but the reversal is impossible without drilling.

This, he said, is mostly why the government is in need of the partnership with Schlumberger.

Lokpobiri assured the Global CEO, who had said the firm has an over 71 years relationship with Nigeria, that the ministry want to sustain the partnership.

He said the country has the mandate to create the best competitive business environment.

He called on other international oil companies to return, noting there is a new government that is ready to do things differently.

Read Also: 2024 oil bid round for investors with technical know-how, says Lokpobiri

He assured the global community that the present government is determined to create the best environment for investments to return for the benefit of Nigerians and the partners.

Lokpobiri said Nigeria has been in its downtime in the last 12 years but now reversing the trend and there will be consistency of policy in order to get the most needed investment.

He said since his assumption of office, “we have sent messages to the world to say gone are those days you wake up one morning you have a new policy. You wake up tomorrow, you have a new policy. The next year, have a new policy and investors won’t be able to apply because every investor wants confidence that there will be stability. So Nigeria is committed to bringing that stability that investors need.”

He assured the delegation that Nigeria remains their best partner in the oil and gas industry in Africa despite the emergence of new oil producing countries that are still learning the rope.

According to him, having worked with Nigeria for over 70 years, it is easily for the firm to predict its policies unlike the new countries.

He said, “You can predict what will happen in Nigeria. Some of these new jurisdictions you can’t predict. They are also new. They haven’t done what we have done in 70 years. Always know that you can predict the worst Nigeria can do.”

Speaking, Olivier Le Peuch, said he was flattered by the vote of confidence and trust of the minister in their partnership.

He said his firm been in Nigeria for over 70 years and now with the opportunity to renew it.

The Global CEO revealed that the delegation was in Nigeria for investment circles that it can unlock. 

He noted that the firm was ever determined to stake its investment in the country.

According to him, Schlumberger is committed to working with Nigerian nationals in respect of local content.

He said: “We have been here for over 70 years and we have the opportunity to renew our home. 

We are here to assist. We are here to partner. We are here for these  investment circle that we you can unlock and we will be not tired of putting our own investment. 

“We will be committing to your capacity, with local content, with Nigerian nationals to respond to the opportunity that we start to in the way of the industry.”

He promised to leverage on the strategic partnership to help accelerate the contributions of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to the government’s vision. 

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on May 20, called on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) investors to invest in Nigeria’s crude oil pipeline.

He noted that the pipelines, which were installed almost 70 years ago have now outlived their usefulness and are due for replacement.

Read Also: 2024 oil bid round for investors with technical know-how, says Lokpobiri

He acknowledged the fund that UAE investors are buoyant enough to provide the funds for building the pipelines for evacuating crude oil to the terminals for export.

According to him, Nigeria has a very attractive model for recouping the investment in place.

The minister spoke in his office in Abuja while receiving the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Salem Saeed Al Shamsi the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, and his delegation that were on a courtesy visit.

Details shortly…

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has challenged the immediate past Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote to account for the whereabout of Atlantic Refinery and Brass Refinery.

Lokpobiri also called on the former Executive Secretary to prove corruption allegations against him.

This was contained in a rejoinder through his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor.

Lokpobiri insisted: “Our position is that he who alleges must prove same. So if Mr Wabote has proof of such conversation he is challenged to provide same.

“Secondly the Minister has no aide called Blackson. All his aides were duly selected in line with extant laws and have documents to that effect.”

The Minister was responding to the former Executive Secretary statement which alleged that he requested him to increase the budget for the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) by N30 billion.

According to Wabote: “My problem as ES [Executive Secretary] started with Lokpobiri in December 2023 when he sent one of his undocumented aides within his Ministry to my office in Yenagoa (Blackson) requesting me to increase the NCDMB budget by N30 billion for the office of the Minister and I said it had never been done before. I served two Ministers and none of them have ever made such a request to NCDMB; that we only make provision for the office of the chairman of the council, which covers his travel expenses.

“I said to him that the maximum NCDMB budget has ever gotten to in the past is circa N80 billion for all our activities, adding N30 billion will be too much for his office and I was not going to do it. I ask stakeholders to review the NCDMB budget from 2016 to 2023 and also look at what got approved in 2024.”

On the issue of the refineries, the Minister urged Wabote to identify them to Nigerians.

He said: “Thirdly, the said Atlantic Refinery was supposed to be built in Mr Wabote’s home town, he should show Nigerians where that refinery is.

“Fourthly, the Brass refinery was also paid for, you are welcomed to also visit the site to verify the facts for yourself. 

“Investigations are ongoing and the truth will surely come to light and monies belonging to the generality of Nigerians will be recovered for Nigerians.”

Lokpobiri, according to the statement, had made his disclosures in his capacity as chairman of the Governing Council and  stands by his statement at the Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos.

He urged reporters to visit the places mentioned to verify the allegations for themselves. 

According to him, these revelations are not new, they were first made during an investigative hearing of the House of representative committee on local content.

The statement added: “The Minister has never been part of any budgeting process of any parastatal under the Ministry, you are welcomed to visit these agencies to verify for yourself.
“Finally, the Minister’s office is run with a budget superintended by the permanent secretary and so one will wonder, how the Minister will ask another entity to make provisions for the budget of his Office. 
“The Minister has an impeccable record from his time as Minister of Agric and will continue to stand for the truth.
“The Minister and Indeed the Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB will not abdicate his responsibility to please anyone. 
“He has a responsibility to ensure that, that which belongs to Nigerians is judiciously used for Nigerians 
“I have had course to read Mr Wabote’s release and every one can see that he is still nursing the wounds of being replaced even after spending seven years at the Board.
“At best, this is a clear case of when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back.”

Wabote in a statement that was in an online newspaper yesterday described Lokpobiri’s utterances as reckless and bundle of lies.

The publication noted: “SIMBI Wabote, former executive secretary to the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board, NCDMB has dismissed as “reckless and bundles of lies” the allegations Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of petroleum, made recently at the Petroleum Club that the investments the board made during his seven-year tenure were wasteful.

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“Wabote stated this in a statement on Tuesday, April 23, following an earlier interview he granted to a newspaper in reaction to the snippets of the remarks made by the Minister of State for Petroleum – Oil, adding that “it has become pertinent to issue a press statement having gotten full details of the reckless and bundles of lies which is unbecoming of a minister of the Federal Republic. 

“Among other things, Lokpobiri said that NCDMB wasted over $500 million of the industry’s fund in equity investments in private establishments and in loans that are now non-performing.

“I wish to state that his reckless statements in the past months are not new to me. Only recently he tried to throw NNPCL under the bus as he stated that Nigeria is losing 400kb of oil because of not signing the Seplat deal thus trying to indict NNPLC, a parastatal under his supervision. 

“As a Minister and a presentative of the substantive minister, are you not supposed to canvass government positions or represent your principal correctly? Rather he chooses to act like a militant activist.”

The Minster of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Friday, April 12, blamed the crude oil production in the first quarter 2024 (Q1 2024) on challenges with the Trans Niger Pipeline and the maintenance carried out by some oil companies.

This explanation was contained in the press statement his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, issues from Abuja.

According to the statement, Lokpobiri is intensifying efforts to restore the production to previous level of 1.7million barrels per day and also exceed it.

The statement read: “In response to recent concerns regarding a shortfall in oil production in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2024, the Minster of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri,  assures that measures are being taken to address the situation to, not only restore production to previous levels, but to also increase it.

Read Also: Lokpobiri threatens to cancel modular refineries licences

“The minister clarifies that the reported production shortfall was primarily due to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline, coupled with maintenance activities carried out by some Oil companies operating in Nigeria.”

The Minister also announced that the issues have been adequately addressed, adding that production is expected to return to its previous levels in the coming days. 

He said that Nigeria’s oil production, including condensate, which was approximately 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) prior to these developments, will soon be restored.

He said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is actively engaged in policy evolution aimed at maximizing the utilization of all available wells in Nigeria.

He stated: “This strategic approach will enable the country to ramp up production, thereby generating vital revenue to stabilize the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. The increased revenue will also empower the government to fulfill its commitments in providing essential infrastructure, as outlined in the 2024 budget.”

The Minister further assured of renewed hope as Nigeria navigates through these challenges, while urging all to remain committed to ensuring the sustainability and growth of Nigeria’s oil sector, which plays a crucial role in driving the nation’s economy. 

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri has threatened to cancel modular refineries licenses should they fail to meet key performance index.

According to him, he signed the agreements without knowing the owners of the plants and he would not hesitate to cancel them despite who own them.

He said: “Let me say here that I have signed a couple of modular refineries without knowing the mind behind them. 

“I don’t want to know who is the owner.  As I don’t know who is the owner of the license so I don’t want to know the owner before I cancel it.”

He spoke at the “The Oil and Gas Sector Retreat 2024,” in Abuja.

The theme was “Building Synergy for the Enhanced Development in the Oil and Gas Sector.”

The minister said the first target of the ministry is to ramp up production to meet national target and increase in revenue.

Lokpobiri noted that it will be very embarrassing to Nigeria to complete the rehabilitation of national refineries without having crude oil for their production.

 Stressing the need to ramp up crude oil production, he said 90% of forex into the country comes from oil and gas production.

He however expressed hope that Nigeria might surpass its production quota as Bonga Oil Field operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company has recorded $5billion project.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo threatened to sanction any Chief Executive Officer that will ever fail to honour his invitation and send a subordinate.

He was referring to the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Executive Secretary, Engr. Omashola Ogbe who sent a director to represent him at the retreat.

All other Chief Executive Officers under the ministry were present except that of the board.

Ekpo said: “It is better the heads of those institutions are here then translate this irrespective of whatsoever they are doing in their various. 

“Please any other time if we are doing something under the name of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources try and every person must be here. It is a serious business. 

“It is about moving Nigeria from where it is now to another level and there is no other ministry that can take Nigeria from where we are to another level except Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”

He said the retreat on ministerial deliverables 2023 – 2027 was aimed at repositioning the hydrocarbon sector for optimal performance, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to Unlock our abundant Gas Resources for economic development.

Ekpo said following the conclusion of the Presidential Retreat, a pivotal step was taken within the sector, culminating in the signing of a Performance Bond with Mr. President. Subsequently, it became incumbent upon the ministry to disseminate the directive to the upper echelons of management within the sector.

He added: “Let me also inform you that last month, I took the initiative to engage with both Operators and Regulators within our sector. 

“This proactive approach is aimed at devising viable solutions to address the challenges plaguing our nation’s gas sector.

“To further promote ease of doing business and to stimulate the discovery and development of our abundant hydrocarbon resource, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – GCF, issued an executive order for the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The Executive order sought to do the following:

Read Also: Wike, Lokpobiri pay condolence visit to Wigwe’s family in Abuja

“Shortening the procedure for getting approval for contracts to which companies in the petroleum sector and companies controlled by the federal government are parties;

“Raising the contract approval thresholds in Production Sharing Contracts (PSA) or Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) to not less than ten million (USD10,000,000) United States dollars to account for the rate of inflation; 

“Raising the duration for third party contracts from three to five years, with the option of renewal for an additional two years; and

“Giving effect to and reinforcing the provisions of the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 and enhance the ease of doing business within the petroleum sector.”

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has vowed to speedily consent to the Shell offshore assets sale upon the presentation of the necessary documentation.

Lokpobiri emphasized that the Nigerian government will not impede legitimate business transactions in the oil and gas sector.

He said: “On the part of the government, once we get the necessary documents, we will not waste time to give the necessary considerations and consent.”

The minister’s special adviser on media and communication, Nneamaka Okafor, made this known in a press statement on Thursday, January 18.

According to the statement, the minister spoke on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

He affirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment in the oil and gas sector.

Lokpobiri addressed Shell’s decision to sell its onshore assets to a consortium of five Nigerian companies.

Responding to concerns about international oil companies (IOCs) diversifying their onshore assets, the minister highlighted the positive aspects of the diversification.

He noted that Nigeria loses nothing as such moves create opportunities for indigenous companies with the capacity to acquire and professionally manage these assets, leading to increased profitability and the maximization of their potential.

Addressing potential negative impacts on the country, Minister Lokpobiri reassured that the diversification would not adversely affect Nigeria.

 He emphasized the government’s engagement with IOCs regarding the decommissioning of non-productive assets and abandonment issues.

The minister stated that concerns raised by IOCs, particularly with Nigerian banks, have been addressed, assuring a safe environment for the handling of funds related to decommissioning and abandonment.

“As a government, we will adhere to the law without jeopardizing legitimate businesses,” he added.

Read Also: Lokpobiri parleys Bayelsa monarchs on how to curb oil theft

Responding to questions on preventing IOCs from diversifying their upstream operations, the Minister clarified that companies have not left their upstream deepwater assets.

He said they are diversifying their onshore assets, creating opportunities for local companies with developed capacity and financing to acquire and profitably manage these assets.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing sector concerns, including insecurity and aging infrastructure, such as pipelines. He highlighted ongoing engagements with companies to invest in pipeline technology and other critical infrastructures within the oil and gas value chain.

Lokpobiri announced that the President has approved a licensing bid round, demonstrating the government’s dedication to initiating the process promptly.