By Ejekwu Chidiebere
“While coal is still accounting for 30% of global energy demand, natural gas which is now widely regarded as the cleanest and most efficient fossil fuel is taking on an increasingly vital role in the evolving global energy mix. With its abundant reserves, Africa is uniquely positioned to drive economic transformation through strategic natural gas development and LNG exports.”
How then can Nigeria fully maximize this opportunity of resource abundance to meet its energy needs, while positioning itself as a key player in the global energy supply chain? Where will the much needed financing come from and what international partnerships can be harnessed to achieve reliable and affordable energy for domestic consumption and export? These are the questions for a thorough investigation at a panel session titled, “Accelerating Gas Development for Domestic and Global Energy Needs” as NOG Energy Week “Strategic Conference” convenes in a couple of days. It would be insightful according to NOG Energy Week Organizing Committee which also highlighted policies, investments, and technologies as critical elements shaping the future of energy production.
Monday June 30 sets the discourse in motion with a strategic panel session where “Achieving Energy Security through Local Content Implementation” is expected to be dealt with. Other sessions include, “Deepening Community Participation through Accessible Financing”; “Impact of the NOGICD Act on the Ease of Doing Business and Cost Competitiveness”; and “Technology as a Local Content Imperative: from Adoption to Domestication”. “Human Capacity Development for the Future of Energy”; Thereafter is “The Nigerian Content Seminar and Closing Remarks”, and then a “Gala Dinner” courtesy of Renaissance Energy to wrap up conversation for the day.
On Tuesday comes the “Ministerial Session” which will be dealing with “Collaborative Leadership – Charting the Path to Energy Security, Strengthening Partnerships and Powering Innovation”. The first “Energy Talks” in the day is billed to be handled by the NNPCL.
Strategic Panel Session for the day will pivot around “Prioritizing Energy Security,” and this is as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited takes another talk show on “Africa’s Energy Awakening”. Billed for the day also as a Talk Show is, “Bridging Africa’s Financing Gap for Energy Independence”, which later gives way for another Panel Session – “Accelerating Gas Development for Domestic and Global Energy Needs.”
“Africa’s Energy Awakening” is the next “Energy Talks”, and following simultaneously is Strategic Panel Session which will be dwelling on, “Increasing Investment Into Africa’s Upstream Sector,” and Shell wraps up the day with a “Strategic Networking Dinner Session.”
The Assembly returns on Wednesday with another Strategic Panel Session where “Enhancing Trade Partnerships to Accelerate Energy Security Goals will be broadly discussed. “Strengthening Regulatory Synergies for a Competitive African Energy Market” comes as the next Panel Session convenes.
“Technology as a Business Strategy” forms one of those “Energy Talks,” with the next Panel Session with the theme – “Building a Resilient and Competitive Refining Sector” which takes its place immediately.
“Harnessing Africa’s Energy Shift – From Acquisition to Optimization”; “Pragmatically Achieving Energy Abundance”; “Strengthening Interconnected Gas Markets” and, “What Role will Renewables Play in the Future Energy Mix – all of these have been built to be addressed on the remaining Panel Sessions for the day. The conference wraps up an “Official Closing Remarks”, and “Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony” which comes under the supervision of NNPCL.