EU seeks to replenish reserve with Nigerian natural gas
Solomon Ezeme
As part of measures to respond to rising energy prices, diversify supplies sources and replenish natural gas stocks for next winter in Europe arising from ongoing war between Russian and Ukraine, European Union delegations on Monday visited the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) headquarters in Abuja to discuss partnership deals with Nigeria to ramp up its gas supply.
This was contained in a statement by Garba Deen Muhammad, Spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) who revealed that a five-member EU Delegation paid a courtesy visit to the NNPC on Monday to see how Nigeria could help bridge the current energy gap in Europe which has resulted from the Russian-Ukraine war by increasing gas supply to the continent.
Samuela Isopi, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, speaking on behalf of the delegation, said that the EU is looking forward to partnering with Nigeria to ensure increased Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies to Europe.
“Nigeria is the fourth gas supplier to Europe. At least 40% of the Nigerian LNG is currently exported to Europe. We are not only major clients for Nigeria. We are also major partners in the Oil and Gas sector because some of the companies that are working with you are from Europe. So we share the same interest and same objectives,” Isopi said.
Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, gave assurance to the delegation that Nigeria will welcome the partnership and will do all that is possible to increase gas supply to the global market, especially to Europe where it is presently needed.
The delegation includes the EU Ambassador, Samuela Isopi; Ambassador of Portugal, Luis Barros; Ambassador of Spain, Juan Sell; Ambassador of Italy, Stefano De Leo and Deputy Head of Mission (France), Olivier Chatelais.
EnergyDay recalls that Kyari, had on April 7, stated that the Federal Government already has a plan in place that would guarantee the oil production in the country improves again after setbacks encountered due to incessant oil thefts and pipeline vandalisms which has affected its production. He had stated that he was “optimistic that with the measures taken by the FG” will see a significant improvement in shoring up Nigeria’s crude oil production.
Earlier in March, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of State Petroleum Resources, had opened its investment corridor to the EU by calling on it to increase investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector so as to meet current energy needs within its region.
