From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has granted license to UTM Offshore Limited, for the development of a 2.8 million tonnes per annum Floating Liquefied Natural Gas facility.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the development was a milestone that marked the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, in the transformation of gas industry.
He said: “Today is a significant day in the life of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gas,” Ekpo declared, emphasising the importance of the FLNG project to the nation’s energy future.
“I had to cut short my stay in China to come back for this very important event. I’m going to witness the handing over of licenses to UTM Energy to operate. It will take up to 2.8 million tonnes of energy. And from what the Authority Chief Executive has said, this is the first in Nigeria.”
Ekpo also appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for its diligence in granting the license and commended UTM leadership for spearheading the bold initiative.
“I salute NMDPRA for due diligence, and I salute my brother, the CEO of UTM, Julius Rone, for the bold step that he has taken with his team to bring to board what we are going to celebrate today,” said.
Ekpo assured UTM of the Federal Government’s unwavering support to ensure the successful completion of the FLNG facility.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will give you all the necessary support, the conducive environment to operate, so that at the end of the day, the dream of the Decade of Gas, of increasing gas, is a project,” he said.
Also, NMDPRA Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed said the project would be delivered by 2028.
According to him, NMDPRA reviewed the submission and found it satisfactory
andis hereby granting the company a ‘Licence to Construct’
He said: “Today’s ceremony marks a significant milestone in advancing the first floating LNG facility in Nigeria.
“The project aligns with the main aspirations of the PIA 2021 which include the expansion of Midstream Gas Facilities in Nigeria. It aso aligns with the targets of the Decade of Gas
Programme and other Gas Expansions projects of the current Administration.
“The project is projected to be commissioned in the year2028. And the products from the project include LNG, LPG, and condensate.
“The NMDPRA would continue to guide this project throughout its lifespan, to
ensure compliance with all regulatory requirement including the assurance of safety, protection of environment, sustainable operations and overall good governance principles.
Also, Group Managing Director of UTM Offshore, Rone, said upon completion, the facility would deliver 500,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) into the domestic.
