NGA, experts to brainstorm on gas-to-power realities

With growing concern on the present realities in the gas-to-power industry in the nation, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) is set to organise its first business forum in 2017 with invited experts to debate vigorously on the gas-to-power challenges.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Frank Uzuegbunam on Wednesday.

The event, he said, which will bring the power, oil and gas, investment and business community together will hold on June 15, 2017 in Lagos with the theme “Embracing New Realities: Reseting Our Gas to Power Industry.”

“The main objective is to discuss the issues and proffer solutions to overcome barriers in the gas-to-power value chain and explore ways of aligning  the investment horizons of gas assets with the financing realities of gas-fired power generation,” he stated.

Also, Ibimina Abiodun, NGA Secretary General added: “the council of NGA have favoured genuine debate with the participation of high calibre speakers from gas, finance and power industries including other institutions in order to get the utmost benefit of the robust dialogue.”

He further stated that the natural gas business forum will precede the 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association on the day.

He noted that the gas industry has witnessed global significant shifts over the years, with the emergence of new supply sources which includes shale gas from the United States (US).

Other market dynamics, he added,  include the fierce competition of coal in the power sector, the steep fall in oil and gas prices, changes in traditional trade flows, etc.

 However, Abiodun said, most scenarios see natural gas playing bigger role in the energy sector than other fossil fuels.

“There is no better time for us as a nation to dialogue on the gas-to-power realities than now,”said the NGA Secretary General.

Over the years, the NGA natural gas business forum has emerged as the platform for policy makers and industry leaders to exchange views on ways and means to address a large spectrum of gas and power related issues; gas and power markets development, regulatory frameworks, players’ strategies, environmental challenges amongst other issues.

The NGA is the apex organisation representing all the players in the gas value chain in Nigeria. It is a non-political association that was formed in 1999 to promote the development of gas in Nigeria for the benefit of the nation and the various stakeholders. The earliest members include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Chevron Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), TOTAL (previously known as Elf Petroleum), Mobil Producing Nigeria, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Conoco Energy Nigeria Limited.

Today, NGA is the largest gas-focused umbrella association speaking for the gas industry in Nigeria with corporate and individual members membership cutting across various international and indigenous companies from gas exploration and production companies (Upstream), to gas processing and transportation companies (Mid-stream), in addition to the various end consumers, ranging from power generation companies (Gencos), Gas Based Industries (Fertiliser, Methanol, Petrochemical), and industrial and commercial consumers (Mini/Micro LNG, CNG/LPG).