The Federal Government yesterday disclosed its desire to become the world’s largest producer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by increasing production capacity from the current levels by five times.
The government’s intention, according to the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, is to take advantage of the on-going 20th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) in Doha, Qatar, to seek partnerships.
Ajuonuma, who further disclosed to journalists in Qatar that government seeks to secure partnerships in the proposed LNG plants, particularly the Brass LNG and Ok LNG, explained that top government officials have arrived in Doha to unveil opportunities for investors in the nation’s gas sector with a view to achieving President Goodluck Jonathan’s desires for the sector.
He said, Nigeria’s intention is to surpass Qatar, currently the world’s largest LNG producer.
He said, “We have abundant proven natural? gas deposit capable of increasing? Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from the current levels per annum by five times which would make Nigeria to surpass the capacity of Qatar, the world’s largest LNG producer.
He added; Nigeria has the best natural gas and incentives for investors. “There is improvement in security just as the government is willing to receive all investors.”
The NNPC spokesman noted that various incentives have been packaged for prospective investors willing to take advantage of the gas revolution unveiled by the Federal Government.
He expressed optimism that the unveiling of the Nigerian stand in Qatar, scheduled to take place today by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, would attract chief executive officers of multinational oil companies willing to acquire stake in the proposed LNG plants.
Ajuonuma further revealed that top officials of the ministry of petroleum resources and the NNPC will be available at the stand to answer questions from prospective investors who would partner with the Nigerian government towards developing its gas deposits and becoming the world’s largest LNG producer.