Mele Kyari to Speak at Africa Oil Week

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, will attend Africa Oil Week (AOW). He will address the audience on how the nation will contribute to Africa’s energy transition through gas.

The NNPC chief will participate in a panel discussion at AOW and will bring leading energy stakeholders together on October 3-7, 2022, in Cape Town, South Africa, under the theme — Sustainable Growth in a Low Carbon World.

Mr Kyari will participate in the panel discussion, Natural gas and the African continent: How can Africa bridge the regional and global energy deficit using natural gas as a transition fuel.

Investments in the oil and gas sector are crucial for easing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation issues. Gas utilisation as a transition fuel will help grow the economy and help to bridge the energy gap. Investments in its oil and gas sector are needed to fast-track Nigeria’s energy transition plan.

The global energy crisis has highlighted the need for a more secure and diverse supply across the world. As sub-Saharan Africa continues to have energy challenges, gas has been identified as a potential solution, but the real opportunities remain under-tapped.

Natural gas is expected to be the main source of our future energy, with its greatest advantage being that it creates half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal. The lower prices of renewables and their quick installation, while limiting emissions in the short term, make it an attractive option for stabilizing the path to renewables. Natural gas is one of the most affordable and reliable energy sources, and systems that impact energy security need innovation.

With lower carbon emissions, natural gas is a potential option for a renewable and efficient energy supply. In countries throughout Africa, renewables are key to promoting natural gas as a resource. A recent UN report has stated that biomass, coal, oil, and other fuels will not be enough to power Africa’s future.

Others expected to join the panellists are Mr Benoit de la Fouchardiere, Group General Manager, Perenco; Mrs Eberechukwu Oji, CEO, ND Wester; Ms Nina Koch, Head of Africa, Equinor; Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Managing Director, First E&P; and Mr Sop Ideriah, Managing Director Nigeria & West Africa Countries, Schlumberger.

Now entering its 28th year, the event brings together governments, national and international oil companies, independents, investors, the G&G community and service providers.