*Nigeria now represents about 10% of its global oil production
*As company restates Long -term commitment to Nigeria
OpeOluwani Akintayo
Abuja — Total Group has indicated its readiness to carry out exploration activities in Nigeria if the federal government grants the licence.
The firm’s Chairman and CEO, Patrick Pouyanne made the disclosure at a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, the country has a lot of prolific oil fields, adding that the company would “gladly” carry out exploration activities if the government grants the licence.
He revealed that Nigeria now represents about 10 percent of Total Group’s global oil production and that the country is important to the Total Group.
He restated Total’s commitment to the long term development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and the improvement of the lives of Nigerians through the provision of clean, affordable energy.
Mr. Pouyanne used the opportunity to congratulate the President and the VP for their recent victory at the polls.
While reviewing the Total Group’s over 60-year presence in Nigeria, Pouyanne expressed delight at the recent launch of the Egina field which at peak will add 200,000 barrels of oil per day to Nigeria’s production. In addition, the Egina Project is a Nigerian content landmark which has become a game changer in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Commenting on a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s electricity challenges, the CEO, identified solar technology as “a cheap way to provide electricity”.
He expressed Total’s readiness to work with Nigeria in the area of renewable energy especially solar in addressing the country’s electricity needs.
In concluding his remarks, the CEO noted that after Egina, Total is launching two other projects – Ikike and Prowei.
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He declared, “Total is actively involved in the expansion of NLNG capacity through the Train 7+ project for which a Final Investment Decision is planned in 2019. Total has done a lot in Nigeria and is ready to do more.”
In his response, Prof. Osinbajo thanked Total for its demonstrated commitment to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He was particularly delighted at Total’s Nigerian content achievement with the Egina FPSO and implored Total and its other partners to quickly bring the NLNG train 7 into operation.
He also said that “the supply of gas to the domestic market is important to the government. We are pleased with Total for its initiatives in the area of renewable energy and would want Total to take some pioneering steps in helping meet the energy needs of the teeming population. Nigeria considers Total a strategic partner. We would like the relationship to continue.”
In an earlier response, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, commended Total for Egina which he said “renewed hope in the oil and gas industry” and promised to work with the office of the Vice President in order to address concerns regarding exploration. Dr. Kachikwu entreated Total to explore the need for siting a refinery in Nigeria as a way of consolidating its foothold in the downstream sector where it is a dominant player.
Pouyanne had earlier paid a visit to the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Baru who commended Total for its vast contributions to Nigeria, describing the company as “the most integrated oil & gas company in Nigeria.” Stressing that the country would continue to collaborate with Total, Baru lauded the company for completing Egina under the proposed budget, adding that Nigeria would benefit a lot from the execution and completion of the project in terms of local content. He appealed for the support of Total in activating the Obite gas production facility for the commencement of gas supply to the Nigerian LNG.
Members of Total’s delegation led by CEO, Patrick Pouyanne include, Senior Vice President, E&P Africa ,Guy Maurice; Managing Director, Total E & P Nigeria Limited and Country Chair Nicolas Terraz; Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater District Ahmadu-Kida Musa; Executive Director Corporate Affairs & Services, Abiodun Afolabi; Executive General Manager, Government Relations, Olalere Babasola; Government Relations Manager, Onwuka Oreh; and Country Communications Manager, Charles Ebereonwu.
