*To boost NNPC/Chevron power improvement efforts
30 January 2016, Lagos — TO improve power supply and support government’s effort to reduce gas flaring, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, and Chevron Nigeria Limited, NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, have announced the completion and load-out of the topside module of the SONAM Non-Associated Gas, NAG, Wellhead Platform project.
The initiative will enable the delivery of up to 420 million cubic feet per day (MMCF/d) of gas from SONAM to the Escravos Gas Plant.
Speaking at the launch, the Director, Business Services, CNL, Mr Emmanuel Imafidon, said: “The partnership for the project module was delivered as part of the domestic supply obligation (050)-MEREN; Gas Gathering Compression Platform, GGCP; and SONAM Non-Associated Gas Wellhead Platform, NWP, project which was last in the set of structures built on the Snake Island by Nigerdock for the project.”
He explained that the project also provided engineering training for 35 Nigerians for the Nigeria Content Development Management Board, NCDMB trainees through 12 weeks of engineering & project management courses.
This also included construction training for 160 trainees in fields ranging from welding, fitting, and scaffolding. “We also scoped the execution of small subcontract fabrication and supply services to our Escravos neighboring community contractors,” he added.
With regard to the project capacity, Imafidon noted that weighing in at 2,700 tons, a height of 28 metres, width of 40 metres and a length of 50 metres made it the largest topside module ever built in-country, adding, “significantly this feat was achieved by an indigenous company.”
According to him, “The SONAM topside is the final piece in the set of structures built by Nigerdock for the project. Nigerdock’s scope on the project comprised the construction and load out of flare bridges, flare towers, jacket piles, LQP deck, LQ bridge, the Meren and Sonam jackets and this topside module, which till date is the largest ever jacket fabricated in Nigeria.
He also recalled that less than 36 months after the steel cutting, the project is ready for load out, adding that through partnership with Nigerdock and Hyundai Heavy Industries, HHI, the venture partners “recorded a safety achievement of over 2.8 million cumulative man-hours on the project. Also we have recorded Living Quarters Deck fabrication without an injury or incident.”
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director, NAPTIMS, Dafe Sejebor, also represented by the General Manager, JV Oil Operations, Mrs. Kate Iheme, expressed satisfaction with the project completion, adding that investment of this kind will shore in rapid development to the economy.
She said: “MEREN Gas Gathering Compression Platform, GGCP, and SONAM development is a major lift forward in building of natural gas extracted during NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture operations for power generation.
“However, this will eliminate gas flaring from its access, and is expected to grow investment opportunity to boast the Government economic diversification efforts”
On his part; the Chairman, Nigerdock and Jagal Group, Mr. Anwar Jamarkani, said: “Nigeria’s vision has always been targeted the maximising of immense potential from the oil and gas industry to foster national economic development in breath taking divinity of its people.”
*Ediri Ejoh & Prince Okafor – Vanguard
