Nigeria LNG delivers landmark 3000th cargo to Turkey

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Limited (NLNG) said it has delivered its 3000th cargo of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Botas Petroleum Pipeline Corporation at Marmara LNG Terminal in Turkey.

LNG Lokoja, one of the 23 vessels in NLNG’s fleet, with a 148,471 cubic metre capacity, loaded the cargo and sailed from Bonny Island Terminal in Rivers State on January 7, carrying 47,778,900 million British Thermal Units (MMbtus) of LNG.

Speaking at the Marmara LNG Terminal in Turkey in a ceremony to mark the delivery of the cargo, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG Limited, Mr. Babs Omotowa, said his company was fully committed to its aspiration to help harness the nation’s gas resources, and its vision to help build a better Nigeria.

“Today, we deliver our 3000th cargo of LNG to Botas Petroleum Pipeline Corporation. We take pride in the fact that this delivery demonstrates the consistency and reliability of NLNG as a world class energy supplier. It also underscores the excellent relationship we have with our customers. I also wish to recognise the diligence and dedication of our staff, the kind support of the government, our shareholders and our loyal customers,” he said.

NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, said in a statement yesterday, that the brief ceremony held on board the NLNG Lokoja, at the Marmara LNG Terminal, was attended by senior NLNG officials, including Omotowa, Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Basheer Koko, and Commercial Director, Mr. Patrick Olinma.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Head of Mission at the Nigeria Embassy in Turkey, Mr. Folusho Adeshida, who represented the Nigerian Ambassador, and Botas Petroleum Chief Executive, Mr. Mehmet Konuk, as well as other members of the company’s management team.

NLNG’s first cargo to Botas Petroleum Pipeline Corporation was delivered on board LNG Lagos at Marmara in November 1999.

Eresia-Eke said NLNG had loaded more than 200 cargoes for the Turkish energy company since the start of production at the Bonny Plant in 1999 and currently accounts for nearly 25 percent of Turkey’s LNG imports.

He said from 1999 to 2013, NLNG had converted over four trillion Cubic Feet (tcf) of associated gas to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) for both export and domestic uses.

“In doing this, the company has positively impacted on the country’s gas flaring status, helping to improve the environment whilst converting a previously wasted resource into wealth for the nation,” he added.

Eresia-Eke reaffirmed the determination of the company to construct a seventh train to complement the existing six-train structure.

“When in operation, Train 7  will boost  the company’s total production capacity to 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG and potentially increase Nigeria’s supply of world LNG demand to 10 per cent, bringing more value to government, shareholders, communities and local businesses among others,” he said.

NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49 per cent),  Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6 per cent), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4 per cent).