Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Oil industry regulators on Monday commended oil giant, Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, on her commitment to promoting and developing local capacities in the oil and gas sector.
The regulators, namely the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the
National Petroleum Investment Management
Services, and the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, speaking separately at the IKIKE Topsides sail-away ceremony in Saipem Yard, Port Harcourt, urged other multinationals to emulate TotalEnergies.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote, particularly commended all the past Managing Directors of Total for their contributions to the development of local content in the country.
Wabote emphasised that TotalEnergies has been, and still remains a Local Content partner of choice for the Board in consideration of setting new bars of performance for others to catch up.
“Apart from the impressive tonnages associated with the tripod jacket, drilling deck, and topsides, it is noteworthy that the platform is designed to be full unmanned and remotely operated. The extension of innovation and technology towards the new normal in the oil and gas industry is really exciting to see in our shores. The opportunities in technology transfer and adaptation to wider use is unlimited and commendable.
“Which company could be at the driving seat of this if not TOTAL Energies. It is on record that TOTAL Energies has been the only upstream company taking key FID’s on major projects in the last 10years. The company has continuously kept faith with Nigeria’s oil and gas industry despite the ups and downs.”
Similarly, the Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum
Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, commended TotalEnergies for making the country proud by achieving the project 100percent in-country.
“It is a great pride for us as Nigerians that we were able to managed this project despite the pandemic in 2020.
“Let the project and the local content value not stop with the project. It is the desire of govenrment that the local content value will continue from ECP to production and utilization of the facility. We wished the first oil production could be fast tracked before the planned scheduled.”
Also, Group General Manager, NAPIMS. Mr. Bala Wunti, represented by GM, JV Oil Operations, Mrs. Martina Atuchi, commended the JV partners for achieving the sailaway despite the challenges encountered as a result of COVID19.
“It gladdens our heart that even at the height of the pandemic, the project was still ongoing.
Napims is committed to working with TotalEnergies and other stakeholders throughout the project life cycle, including achieve the delivering of the first oil in 2022.”
Earlier, the Managing Director of TotalEnergies, Mr. Mike Sangster, said one of the objectives of the IKIKE project, amongst others, was to create a template for future similar developments of TotalEnergies.
Sangster who recalled that 250 MT AMD2 extension module was successfully installed offshore early September 2021, disclosed thatthe IKIKE project milestone was achieved without any lost time injury.
“The IKIKE Field Development Project coming on the heels of the Egina Project is a further commitment of TotalEnergies to Nigeria and the growth of the oil and gas sector.
“The first steel cut was marked in December 2019. Today the jacket, piles and TDD have
been installed offshore and drilling of the first producer well is completed while the 2nd
producer well is almost completed.
“The ICSS cabinets have been installed offshore and on the topsides. The 250 MT AMD2 extension module was successfully installed offshore early September 2021. The approximately 600 MT IKD1 Topsides is fully constructed and ready to sail away.
“It is also very remarkable to highlight that this milestone has been achieved without any Lost Time Injury (LTI) or incident.”
The TotalEnergies boss said IKIKE is a testament of cooperation and teamwork of all parties namely NUPRC, NAPIMS, NCDMB, noting that nothing tangible would have been achieved without them.
He also commended the management and staff of SAIPEM/IGPES Consortium for the success of the project, amidst the challenging context, exacerbated by the global pandemic, with its attendant devastating consequences.
“This remarkable milestone of the IKD1 Topsides sail-away today demonstrates the Ikike project’s steady and consistent progress towards first oil as welas the full delivery of the project in line with our commitment to Nigeria.
“Overall, the Ikike Project has contributed immensely to the Nigeria Content development initiatives of TotalEnergies in Nigeria. The construction of jacket, modules, topsides, risers in Nigerian yards, offshore campaign with vessels domiciled in Nigeria, and drilling with Nigerian companies have boosted local employment with about 3000 jobs (direct and indirect). Several subcontracts have also been awarded to local yards and companies thereby increasing local capacity and technical skills acquisition.
“As part of the Human Capacity Development program implementation for this project. More than 50 trainees have been engaged at the various Contractor yards and training centers over the last one year+ on the back of the Project.
“30 geosciences graduates are undergoing a one-year intensive geosciences training at Laser Engineering Services Port Harcourt.
“We are in final preparation stages towards the ground-breaking ceremony for the infrastructural development project at the Government Technical College Port Harcourt under the aegis of the NCDMB.
“In addition to the above, other community development projects have been undertaken to the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region as part of TotalEnergies Corporate Social Responsibility commitments.”
