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The Republic of Congo’s National Oil Company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), has unveiled a Gas Master Plan (GMP) designed to revitalise the country’s hydrocarbon sector.
The Gas Master Plan aims to increase gas utilisation and attract international investment while lowering reliance on oil earnings and expanding the country’s electricity system.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDr Bi-Dia-Ayo Ibata, Head of Associations Division and Supervisory Relations at SNPC, presented the GMP during the Vision Congo & Gas Master Plan Technical Session on Day 0 of the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum in Brazzaville.
According to Ibata, “The main objective of the Gas Master Plan is to develop an exploration strategy in the short- and long-term to contribute to the development of natural resources and contribute to economic diversification.”
“The five main objectives are resource maximization, economic growth and diversification, social benefits, government revenue and attracting investment,” Ibata added.
According to the GMP, gas-to-power should remain a national priority, with low petrol costs supporting long-term expansion. New industrial developments and LPG supply options are also suggested. A natural gas aggregator, such as the SNPC, may stabilise the domestic market and prioritise important industries. The strategy also emphasises the significance of developing a natural gas policy, which will be critical in directing industry expansion.
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During the event, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons of Congo gave a presentation on the country’s gas potential and how a national plan will help enhance production, realise project development, and push electrification.
“The strategic objective of this strategy is to increase production of liquid and gas hydrocarbons. We aim to valorize hydrocarbons by taking profit from exports and local processing,” Hippolyte Tchininanga, Director General of Gaz Valorization, Ministry of Hydrocarbons stated.
The Ministry also unveiled its plans for a new Gas Code, to be published soon. The code seeks to establish a favourable, enabling climate for foreign investment to support natural gas development. The legal and regulatory framework for Congo’s natural gas exploration and development will also be governed by the Gas Code.
Faida Ebenga, Administrative and Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, explained that the upcoming Gas Code will cover exploration, development, aggregation, collection, transportation, and storage of natural gas.
Italian Energy supermajor, Eni’s Congo LNG Project with a proposed annual capacity of 2.4 million tonnes, is positioned to actualise the GMP. Eni’s Congo LNG project is one of Congo’s most prominent natural gas initiatives. The project uses natural gas to generate 70% of the nation’s power.
The Congo LNG project’s second phase is presently being built.
“Phase two is now being carried out. Our goal is to develop 38 new wells as part of the project. Eni Congo’s Technical Director, Alberto Nocerino, said, “We intend to install six new wellhead platforms, one new separation and boosting hub, a new onshore gas pre-treatment plant, two FLNG facilities, and ultimately have a liquefaction capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum.”
