Production – NLNG

NLNG’s Energy-Efficient Chartered Vessel, AKTORAS, Arrives Bonny Terminal for Maiden Loading

ebukadev — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:40:13 +0000

A new state-of-the-art and energy-efficient vessel, AKTORAS, recently chartered by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), has arrived at the Company’s Bonny Terminal for its maiden loading of LNG.

The charter of the vessel by NLNG’s shipping subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited (BGT), was a strategic move to diversify and reduce the carbon footprint of the Company’s shipping portfolio. The vessel is equipped with MEGA propulsion system, which uses advanced technologies and cutting-edge design to reduce emissions and increase efficiency. It is a 174,000 m3 capacity LNG carrier, with a length of 299.6 metres, breadth (moulded) of 46.40 metres and deadweight of 81,194 tons.

The arrival at the Bonny Terminal followed a vessel-naming ceremony at the Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard in Mokpo, South Korea, by the vessel’s Sponsor Lady and Godmother, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Energy.

The vessel is managed by another NLNG subsidiary, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), which took over the technical management and operation of the vessel after construction, marking a new phase in vessel management for the company. NSML currently manages BGT-owned LNG vessels within the NLNG fleet, providing comprehensive vessel technical management services to ensure that managed vessels are sea and cargo-worthy in line with international standards.

At a brief ceremony to welcome the vessel and her crew to Bonny, Mr. Olakunle Osobu NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, represented by Mr. Andy Odeh, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, emphasised the significance of AKTORAS in the company’s evolution towards sustainability and a net-zero future.

"We embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead as we navigate the seas of change with agility and foresight. With AKTORAS in our fleet, we are poised to enhance our capabilities and further strengthen our position as a leading player in the maritime industry"

“AKTORAS is not just a vessel; it is a symbol of our steady evolution, our commitment to sustainability, and our preparedness for a net-zero future. AKTORAS is simply the beginning of the positive changes to come. The significance of this investment extends far beyond the present moment. In an era where the global LNG industry is navigating uncertainties amidst the Energy Transition, our ability to remain agile and future-ready is paramount. AKTORAS, equipped with MEGA propulsion systems, is the most eco-friendly vessel in our fleet today, and I welcome her and her crew to Bonny Island,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Mr. Abdulkadir K. Ahmed, noted that managing this new, modern vessel will support the decarbonisation and net zero emission objectives of the NLNG group, symbolising NSML’s commitment to efficient and sustainable operations as well as a future-focused outlook. He reiterated NSML’s alignment with the purpose and philosophy behind AKTORAS, which was an investment in preparation for a net-zero future.

He emphasised the importance of the company’s ability to remain agile and future-ready in an industry characterised by rapid change and uncertainty.

“We embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead as we navigate the seas of change with agility and foresight. With AKTORAS in our fleet, we are poised to enhance our capabilities and further strengthen our position as a leading player in the maritime industry,” he stated.

He added that management of AKTORAS underscores the trust and confidence placed in NSML by BGT and the owners of the vessel, Taurus Gas Carrier Corp. (Capital Gas). He assured that the highest standards of maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency would be upheld throughout the duration of the charter.

After loading her first cargo at Bonny Terminal, AKTORAS proceeds to Sines LNG Terminal, Portugal, for her first discharge operation.

Sophia Horsfall
Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs

NCDMB Lauds Nigerian Content Achievements in NLNG’s Train 7 Project, Calls for Greater Industry Collaboration

ebukadev — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:39:41 +0000

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has commended the significant Nigerian Content strides achieved in the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Train 7 Project.

Speaking on Friday during a visit to the NLNG six-train plant, Train 7 Project construction site, and the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) training centre, Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE) in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Engr. Ogbe emphasised the need for increased collaboration and advocacy for Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.

Engr. Ogbe was received by Mr. Olakunle Osobu, Deputy Managing Director; Engr. Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager of Production; Engr. Ali Uwais, Train 7 Project Director; Mr. Abdulkadir Ahmed, NSML Managing Director/CEO; and other senior management officials of the company.

During his address, the Executive Secretary highlighted how the Train 7 Project has significantly boosted local capacity through the production of ancillary components and accessories within Nigeria, contributing directly to the project’s successful execution. He commended the recent Presidential Directives on Local Content implementation, which mandate that contracts in the oil and gas sector be awarded exclusively to local companies with proven in-country capabilities, as instrumental to these achievements.

Reflecting on the progress made, Engr. Ogbe stated, “The accomplishments we are witnessing today at the NLNG Train 7 Project are a testament to the NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Nigerian Content. This project stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we prioritise our local industries and talents.”

"NLNG’s Nigerian Content deliverables showcase the power of strategic collaboration and capacity building, aligning with the NCDMB’s broader objectives and contributing to national development goals"

Speaking further, the NCDMB boss lauded NLNG’s management for achieving 52 million man-hours on the Train 7 project with zero lost time injury (LTI). He assured that “we will support you to achieve everything you desire to accomplish for the overall development of Nigeria.”

The NCDMB boss also commended his immediate predecessor, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, for his immense contributions to the approval, take-off and success of the Train 7 project.

Commenting on the Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE), Engr. Ogbe expressed delight that it is the first training centre in Africa to receive accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK MCA) to deliver and issue certificates for the STCW 2010 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations courses.

The MCOE, a maritime training and research facility, aims to enhance maritime expertise in Nigeria and the West African region. It currently hosts a specialised training programme for marine services providers in the upstream oil and gas sector, with the support of NCDMB.

In his comments, NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olakunle Osobu, who represented Dr. Philip Mshelbila, NLNG’s MD/CEO, lauded the NCDMB’s unwavering support for the Train 7 Project, describing the partnership as a shining example of the public-private collaboration that can drive Nigeria’s industrial growth. He emphasised that NLNG’s Nigerian Content deliverables showcase the power of strategic collaboration and capacity building, aligning with the NCDMB’s broader objectives and contributing to national development goals.

Mr. Osobu further reiterated that Nigerian Content was not just a regulatory requirement for NLNG but a core business strategy. “We are committed to going beyond compliance, embracing Nigerian Content as a fundamental part of our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria,” he added.

He also highlighted the economic impact of the Train 7 Project, stating that the addition of Train 7 will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from 22 Metric Tons (MT) to 30MT per annum, which will not only boost the nation’s economy by creating jobs and driving sustainable development but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a formidable player in the global energy market.

Engr. Ogbe’s visit comes on the heels of a recent tour of BEAMCO Limited, where pumps and valves are locally assembled for the Train 7 Project, and the commissioning of the Daewoo Galvanising Plant at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State.

Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku
Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs

Children’s Literature takes centre stage as CORA, The Nigeria Prize for Literature honour 2024 Longlist of 11

ebukadev — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:39:10 +0000

In a celebration of literary talent and creativity, the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), hosted a book party in Lagos over the weekend to honour the 11 authors shortlisted for the 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature.

The event, which marked the first public gathering of the longlisted authors, was a vibrant mix of book readings and a panel session, with authors participating both in person and virtually.

The 11 selected works, chosen from a pool of 163 entries by a panel of judges led by Professor Saleh Abdu of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State,are all contenders for this year’s prize, which is dedicated to Children’s Literature. Other judges include Professor Vicky Sylvester and Dr. Osarobu Igudia.

The winner is set to be announced in October 2024.

The honoured authors on the longlist include Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo (A Father’s Pride), Akanni Festus Olaniyi (Bode’s Birthday Party), Jumoke Verissimo (Grandma And The Moon’s Hidden Secret) Henry Akubuiro (Mighty Mite And Golden Jewel), Temiloluwa Adeshina (Risi Recycle – The Dustbin Girl), and Olatunbosun Taofeek (The Children At The IDP Camp).

Other authors on the longlist are Ayo Oyeku (The Magic Jalabiya), Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi (The Road Does Not End), Hyginus Ekwuazi (The Third Side of A Coin), Anietie Usen (Village Boy), and Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike (Wish Maker).

In his remarks, Andy Odeh, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development in NLNG, lauded the CORA Book Party as a standout event among the series of activities leading up to the announcement of the Nigeria Prize for Literature winner.

“The CORA Book Party is a remarkable event that brings together the greatest number of authors, books, journalists, and lovers of literature and the arts to celebrate books and their authors. It’s an event laden with positive emotions, giving the day its special spark and the awards their glorious lustre,” Mr. Odeh stated.

He added that the literary atmosphere in the country is charged with hope and anticipation, with everyone eager to see who will emerge as the next laureate of the prestigious The Nigeria Prize for Literature.

Odeh emphasised the commitment of NLNG to Excellence, a value, he said, that has driven the Company from a modest gas company to a major global gas giant over the past 35 years. He stressed that the Prize has not only celebrated literary excellence but also spurred improvements in the quality of books, editing, publishing, and the broader literary ecosystem.

"The first book party was organised after a review of the first five years of the Prize, in response to calls that the Prize should do more that a glamorous Gala night in which one author got rich, but the Nigeria book trade and literary scene as a whole didn’t seem elevated. CORA decided to help out"

Mr. Andy Odeh

He expressed his pride in the eleven authors who emerged from the array of talents vying for the Prize, stating that their achievements have made their families, their country, and NLNG proud.

Mr Odeh also expressed appreciation to CORA and the Nigerian authors for ensuring that the book party remains a notable book festival in the country’s literary calendar.

In his remarks, CORA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Toyin Akinosho, emphasised the significance of the book party which provides a platform for authors to discuss their work of arts and interact with readers.

“The first book party was organised after a review of the first five years of the Prize, in response to calls that the Prize should do more thatn a glamorous Gala night in which one author got rich, but the Nigeria book trade and literary scene as a whole didn’t seem elevated. CORA decided to help out,” he stated.

As the Prize continues its commitment to nurturing talent and supporting the arts, the impact of this year’s edition is expected to inspire the next generation of Nigerian writers and readers.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature, which has been promoting excellence in literature for 20 years, rotates annually among four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature.

Sophia Horsfall
Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs