The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LPG

  • NIPCO steps up awareness on LPG

    NIPCO Plc has stepped up its campaign to create awareness on the benefits of switching to gas to reduce environmental impact.

    The company also presented LPG gas accessories to the best school at a special event organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) to mark World Environment Day (WED), to further create awareness on LPG use.

    The event, which held at the Games Village of the ministry’s Lagos liaison office, featured three  competitions tailored around reduction of pollution in our environment.

    The forum provided an avenue for the firm to promote safe use of LPG as cooking fuel, and ensuring that schools and other users switch to gas as a preferred fuel for households.

    In a goodwill message, NIPCO’s Managing Director, Sanjay Teotia, said supporting the  yearly celebration is key to the company’s efforts at promoting  safe and habitable environment.

    Teotia, represented by Head LPG Operations, Kamal Badmus, said  many initiatives were being put in place by the company to encourage  cooking gas use.

    He noted that aside from the inherent benefits of gas over other cooking fuels, such as kerosene, NIPCO has also prepared safety pamphlets to address some safety issues being raised on LPG use.

    According to him, the safety tips addressed some of the misconceptions about gas, which had scared users, especially from handling of accessories such as cylinders and burners.

    The ministry’s Federal Controller in Lagos, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Agbenla, said the theme of the event, “Beat plastic pollution’’ was to draw the attention of stakehold-ers to the need to beat the unending pollution caused by inappropriate disposal of plastic materials.

    She said the presentation of gas accessories to the best school in the completion is noteworthy.

    Maidic Schools, Alagbado in Alimosho Local Government was adjudged the overall best school in the competition and was presented with set of LPG accessories, including 12.5kg cylinder, multiple gas burner and regulator by the company’s representative.

  • Shell sells LPG marketing business in Hong Kong

    Shell sells LPG marketing business in Hong Kong

    Shell has completed the sale of the first phase of its Hong Kong and Macau liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) marketing business to DCC LPG on 31st December 2017.

    The company, in a statement, said it  continues to operate the LPG plant in Hong Kong, which is part of the second phase of the transaction and that the issue is subject to conditions, including regulatory approvals.

    The sale of Shell’s entire LPG business in Hong Kong and Macau was announced on 5 April 2017 for an agreed total transaction value of approximately US$ 150 million. As part of the sale, Shell branded LPG products will continue to be available in Hong Kong and Macau via a long-term brand license agreement with DCC LPG.

    The sale does not impact any of Shell’s other businesses and Shell remains committed to helping meet growing energy demand in Hong Kong and Macau.

    Similarly, the oil giant said the agreement it signed with Dansk Olieselskab AS (DO) in September 2016 regarding the sale of A/S Dansk Shell, which consists of the Fredericia refinery and local trading and supply activities, has terminated and the sale will not complete.

    A/S Dansk Shell, including the refinery and local trading and supply activities, will remain under Shell’s ownership and continue business as usual.

    Shell Group’s $30 billion divestment programme remains on track to complete in 2018, with deals worth $23 billion completed, $2 billion announced and $5 billion in advanced progress.

     

  • Fed Govt approves LPG extraction plant for Green Energy

    Fed Govt approves LPG extraction plant for Green Energy

    The Federal Government has approved  the establishment of a liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG ) extraction plant at Ikuru Town, Rivers state for  Green Energy International Limited, the Operator of the Otakikpo marginal field in OML 11.

    The license to Establish ( LTE)  of the 12MMSCFD  capacity plant, was issued to the company by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as the company moves to fulfill its obligations  as  a pilot project approved by government  for zero gas flares operation in the Niger Delta.

    Director Legal & Corporate Matters, Olusegun Ilori made this known in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday.

    According to the statement, the company which began production in February 2017 said  it was determined to ensure full utilization of the gas produced from the field for LPG  and power generation.

    It stated that the approval has made it possible for the company to make final investment decision (FID) by awarding the Engineering, Procurement, Construction & Installation of the LPG Extraction Plant to PCC-LAMBDA Consortium, formed between Nigeria Indigenous companies and a Chinese  company -Peiyang Chemical Equipment Co. Ltd (PCC), who is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and will be responsible for manufacturing and design activities associated with this project. The LPG Extraction plant has the following design  output capacities

    Ilori  said  the gas utilization programme involve the use of the lean  gas  to power the 12MW gas generator at Otakikpo field out of which 5MW would be dedicated to the host  communities in line with its  MOU with the government  while the LPG & propane would be bottled and sold. Part of the LPG shall be for domestic use within Otakikpo communities in order to support small scale industries.

    He said the  LPG plant  which is expected to be completed within 12 months would be a booster for Nigeria’s drive toward utilization of gas resources for domestic gas is expected to be completed within 12 months .

  • SON sets up team to sanitise LPG sector

    SON sets up team to sanitise LPG sector

    •Acquires modern testing equipment

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has inaugurated an Ad-hoc Committee of its top officials and other experts in the oil & gas sector to sanitise operations in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry.

    Inaugurating the team in Lagos, its Director-General, Osita Aboloma, said the objective was to address the challenges and dangers faced by sub-standard petroleum products.

    “We are setting up this committee because we want them to serve as the society’s watchdogs and identify latest equipment and products that are used in the discharge and sale of LPG items.

    “The committee will also certify both old and new equipment such as storage tanks, vessels, cylinders and other things to make them safer to bring about improved service delivery in that sector,” the SON boss said.

    The committee’s terms of reference are to sanitise the LPG sector, ensure professional and ethical practices by operators in the filling plants and retailers’ shops; report any incident of unethical practice and substandard products to SON especially roadside and illegal fabricators of substandard LPG tanks and cylinders.

    The committee is also expected to draw a strategy for the LPG cylinder re-qualification scheme, the withdrawal of old and substandard LPG cylinders from circulation, submit to the Director General within three months for consideration and approval for implementation as well as come up with recommendations from time to time to move the LPG sector forward as it relates to SON mandate.

    The Director, National Metrology Institute, Obiora Manafa, said the committee’s terms of reference were very clear, adding that the committee would work relentlessly to sanitise the sector.

    “We would ensure that new and obsolete tanks, vessels, cylinders are certified before use. I want to implore all of us to give our time, expertise and commitment to ensure the success of this national assignment. We are going to achieve this mandate because the terms of reference are very clear,” he said.

    The Deputy President, Nigeria LPG Association (NLPGA), Nuhu Yakubu, said the committee would continue to provide its support and harness the existing partnership with SON.

    The National Treasurer, Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers, Ogunrinde Adebayo, maintained that the committee would be committed to the cause of protecting lives and property of Nigerians as well as investments.

    The agency has also taken delivery of modern testing equipment to tackle the incidence of gas explosions in the nation’s oil & gas industry.

    SON said it was concerned by the incessant explosion, destruction of lives and property caused by substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) products hence, its decisive step to acquire three state-of-the-art pressure testing equipment to reduce the menace to the barest minimum.

    SON stated that the three latest equipment located in Abuja, Enugu and Lagos, would help to test the strength of materials and capacities of LPG vessels, cylinders and allied products across the country.

    Aboloma stated that SON has invested heavily in human and capital resources to ensure the proper and effective use of the equipment.

    “We have invested heavily in terms of human and capital resources in training and acquiring state-of-the-art LPG testing equipment. We have sent our engineers outside the country to learn what it takes to address the challenges of substandard LPG in a modern economy. I think in a matter of time these explosions will be a thing of the past,” he said.

  • Nigeria trails Ghana, others in LPG consumption

    Nigeria is trailing Ghana, Benin Republic and Côte d’Ivoire in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) per capita income because it produces lower metric tons per annum (mtpn) of LPG, an expert has said.

    A former Managing Director, Nigerian Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Godswill Ihetu, who spoke in a telephone interview in Lagos, at the weekend, lamented that Nigeria was battling with poor reception facilities, such as jetties and tank farms, to ensure seamless distribution of the product across the country.

    Other challenges are awareness and funding of the sub-sector.

    He said the use of LPG in Nigeria was below 35 per cent, while the rate at which Ghana, Benin Republic and Cote’d Voire consumed the product was 55 per cent and 65 per cent.

    He said the NLNG was not producing LPG enough to meet the needs of the population, unlike Ghana and other countries in the West African sub-region that produced the product to meet the needs of their populations.

    He said though NLNG had increased processing and distribution of LPG from 150,000 metric tons per annum (mtpa) in 2007 to 250,000 mtpa in 2013, and later 350,000 mtpa in 2016, it’s  not enough to cater for the needs of Nigerians.

    Ihetu said: “Apart from the fact that the metric tons per annum of LPG that is being processed in Nigeria is very small, the jetties that would take delivery of the product, which is coming from the NLNG’s headquarters in Bonny, Rivers State is another challenge. Often times, the goals of the jetties were prioritised. By this, the jetties were assigned to take delivery of fuel first to forestall scarcity.

    “Also is the poor awareness of the usage of LPG. Majority of the population, especially those in the village still use fire wood for cooking.’’

    According to him, stakeholders are not funding the sub-sector well, by providing facilities needed for the distribution of the products.

    He said the list of firms approved by NLNG to engage in off-taking business should be reviewed in order to widen the distribution of LPG in the country.

    He said countries such as Ghana, Cote’ d’Voire and others, have deepened the consumption of cooking gas such that its usage knows barriers.

    He said a larger percentage of people in the urban and semi-urban areas use LPG for domestic cooking in those countries.

    He, however, said NLNG is working to double the production of cooking gas in the country.

    The Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is working to deepen the usage of LPG in the country.

    The National Oil Company has advocated for the use of cooking gas as alternative cooking fuel in the country, he added.

  • Ooni tasks govt on youth empowerment to reduce crime

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has urged government at level to provide employment opportunities for youth in the country as a way to reduce rising crime in the society.

    The imperial majesty stated this yesterday during a press conference to unveil Liquified Petroleum Gas, LPG and Compressed Natural Gas, CNG Gas  by Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, NATA with THLD Logistics Ltd at the NATA’s House, Olomi, Academy in Ibadan.
    The king who was represented by two monarchs, the Agboolu of Agbaje in Ife, Oba Adekunle Adebowale and Elerefe of Erefe, Oba Fayemi Johnson, said providing employment opportunities like the conversion of vehicles using petrol and diesel to gas will save the country from capital flight therefore increasing GDP and keep youths busy.
    The King who is the Grand Patron of NATA and Chairman of THLD logistics Ltd, said the initiative was also brought to the fore to enhance safety and reduce cost of running the vehicle coupled with other comparative advantages over using of Petrol and diesel.
    Also speaking, the representative of the company, Mr. Greg Kielsa said LPG and CNG is economical, clean and save to use compare to Petrol and diesel adding that the company is waiting to convert more vehicles in the country. He also said that the company is ready to train automobile technicians which takes only two or three days.
    Corroborating him, the NATA National Vice President, South West Zone, Comrade Dele Odewale, said the initiative is a welcome development capable to make the country attain its economic prosperity if well harnessed.
    According to him, this will make transportation to be more easy and profitable while some of its comparative advantages is its tank that is made to enhance safety especially during hazard while many automobile workshops are now embracing it.
      An academician and politician, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun said the initiative is fantastic and if well supported, it will make transportation lucrative saying especially now the government’s attention is on transportation to promote economic development.
    He added “the initiative will reduce cost of production and make vehicles more durable. This as a result will help to create job and thus keep youths busy and enterprising and therefore reduce restiveness among youths.
    “Another benefit of the initiative is that it will make into use the excess gas that are wasting away and reduces users of petrol therefore brings about stability in consumption of oil and gas products”, he noted.

  • LPG gas cylinders for Lagos residents

    Tyson and Olajide presenting a gas cylinder to one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Risikat Raji. With them are from left: Sales Executive, Mr. Segun Gboyega; Folami; MAN, Surulere branch member, Mr. Kunle Uthman and Public Relations Officer, MAN National, Alhaja Nurat Adebayo at the event.

    LITE Gas, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) brand of Gas Terminalling and Distribution Limited, has begun free distribution of 450 units of LPG cylinder bundle to members of religious bodies in Lagos State, under the Eko Gas project. The firm is a member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LPG Group.
    The group, in partnership with the Lagos State government, is distributing free cylinders bundle and LPG worth over N6 million, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities.
    The firm recently kick-started the project with free sharing of 25 units of LPG cylinder bundle to low-income members of the Lagos State  Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Surulere, Lagos.
    Each of the 25 beneficiaries went home with a complete set of cylinder filled with cooking gas, the mesh, regulator and cooker ring.
    The Chief Financial Officer of Gas Terminalling, Mr. Abubakar Folami, said Lite Gas extended the gesture to the beneficiaries and the Surulere branch of the association “as part of its contributions to encourage the low-income earners of the community to switch from the use of  dangerous and expensive energy sources to the much cleaner, cheaper, safer, efficient, affordable and readily available LPG, otherwise known as cooking gas and also educate them on the fact that cooking gas is not only meant for the rich, but also for every member of the community irrespective of their social class.”
    He said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its findings, said the use of fossil fuels, such as firewood, charcoal and kerosene are some of the causes of heart problems and cancer. So, our mission here is to encourage people to switch to the use of a much cleaner fuel–that is the LPG.”
    As part of the organisation’s safety enlightenment campaigns for the beneficiaries, who were first-time converts to LPG practice, the Health and Safety Manager of Lite Gas, Mr. Michael Olajide, demonstrated the process of assembling the complete set of the cylinder bundle and its use to the beneficiaries. He took them through other best safety practices for general use of LPG for cooking.
    Chairman of the Lagos branch of the MAN, Alhaji T.A. Tyson, expressed his profound gratitude to Lite Gas and prayed for the organisation to always grow from strength to strength.
    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Salifat Alayaki, expressed gratitude to the firm for giving her a gas cylinder.

  • SON to shut sub-standard LPG storage tanks

    SON to shut sub-standard LPG storage tanks

    The Standards Organiastion of Nigeria (SON) has warned owners of uncertified Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage tanks across the country to get the standardisation and certification of the facilities or have them shut down.

    SON has in view of the warning, given a two-week ultimatum to all owners of such LPG storage tanks nationwide to begin the process of SON certification or have the tanks dismantled.

    A statement from the office of SON Director-General, Mr. Osita Aboloma in Abuja, stated that the organisation has since observed and is worried by the sharp rise in the installation of LPG storage tanks in petrol filling stations across the country, many of which could not provide evidence of SON certifications of the vessels.

    The SON chief has, therefore, directed all officers of the organisation to intensify the surveillance of all installed LPG storage tanks in their areas of coverage to ascertain those that have undergone SON certifications before installation as required by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) regulation.

    Aboloma stated that all imported and locally fabricated LPG storage tanks are required to undergo SON certification to assure conformity to the requirements of Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) 419:2000, specification and testing of unfired pressure vessels for the storage of liquefied petroleum gas. These according to him, include safety and performance requirements.

    According to the SON chief, locally manufactured vessels are required to undergo certification under the SON Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), while imported vessels are required to undergo the offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) certification.

    He appealed to the public to be vigilant and report any installation of LPG storage tanks in their vicinity to the nearest SON office for verification of compliance to standards requirement in the interest of public safety.

  • SON gives ultimatum to owners of LPG storage tanks

    SON gives ultimatum to owners of LPG storage tanks

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has given a two-week ultimatum to owners of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage tanks nationwide to begin the process of SON certification or have their facilities shut down.

    A statement from the office of the Director-General, Mr. Osita Aboloma, in Abuja, said SON has observed a sharp rise in the installation of LPG storage tanks in petrol filling stations across the country, many of which have been unable to provide evidence of SON certification of the vessels.

    Aboloma, therefore, directed SON state offices to intensify the surveillance of installed LPG storage tanks in their areas of coverage to ascertain those that have SON certification before installation as required by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) regulation.

    He said imported and locally-made LPG storage tanks are required to undergo SON certification to ensure conformity to the requirements of Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) 419:2000, specification and testing of unfired pressure vessels for the storage of LPG and ASME Division 1 Section VIII.

    These, according to him, include safety and performance requirements.

    The SON boss said locally-manufactured vessels are required to undergo certification under the SON Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), while imported vessels are to undergo the off-shore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) certification.

    He appealed to the public to be vigilant and report any installation of LPG storage tanks in their vicinity to the nearest SON office for verification of compliance to standards in the interest of public safety.

  • ‘Nigerians need three million cooking gas cylinders annually’

    The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says that Nigerians need no less than three million Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) also, known as cooking gas cylinders, annually.

    Mr Simbi Wabate, the Executive Secretary of the Board, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
    According to him, the only LPG cylinder manufacturing company in the country located at Isheri in Ogun , has capacity to produce about 400,000 cooking gas cylinders yearly.

    He said this was far below what Nigerian homes required annually.

    He said that this had encouraged the in-flow of substandard and expired LPG cylinders into the country.

    Wabate said that in order to stop this, the board had conceived what he called “the local manufacture of liquefied gas cylinders’ initiative’’.

    He said this would create employment opportunities, stop importation of LPG cylinders and jump-start a new cylinder-producing industry.

    According to him, the initiative is connected to the Federal Government’s domestic gas utilisation programme aimed at encouraging the use of cooking gas by every home in the country.

    He said that studies had shown that for domestic gas utilisation programme to pull through; there was the need to address the availability, affordability and acceptability of LPG and its cylinders by all stakeholders.

    Wabate said the initiative would make cylinders affordable and create a new industry in the LPG value chain with respect to local manufacturing.

    The executive secretary said it would also enhance the use of cleaner fuel supply, thereby, reducing environmental pollution in the country.

    It would also reduce the utilisation of firewood which would discourage deforestation, he said.
    Wabate said that the board would develop a funding-model to support would-be investors.

    He said this had led the board to go into partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    NAN reports that NCDMB was created to realise Federal Government’s aspiration of increasing indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry, build local capacity, and create linkages with other sectors of the national economy.