Connect with us

Economy

Gas Production to Grow Faster Than Oil by 2022

Published

on

Gas Plant
  • Gas Production to Grow Faster Than Oil by 2022

Gas production will grow faster than oil and coal over the next five years, helped by low prices, ample supply, and its role in reducing air pollution and other emissions, according to a new analysis and forecasts to 2022 by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

In its new five-year forecast to 2022, gas demand is expected to grow at 1.6 per cent yearly, a slight upward revision from last year’s forecast of 1.5 per cent.

IEA said that this means that yearly gas consumption almost reaches 4,000 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2022, from around 3,630 bcm in 2016.

It noted that Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria are the main countries pushing consumption higher, even though lower hydrocarbon revenues and economic growth hold back demand in some resource-rich parts of the continent.

EIA said in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, militant attacks on gas facilities, the absence of political reforms, and a lack of investment have led to structural gas shortages.

According to the agency, the reduction in gas-fired power generation by 50 per cent from recent average levels has deprived millions of electricity power and hurt the economy.

“Growth is relatively strong in the power sector, where there are opportunities to substitute gas for oil, as well as in the industry sector as the region’s economies grow and diversify. Consumption in Africa rises even more quickly, at 3.1 per cent per year, to reach more than 150bcm.

“Oversupplied markets will also keep pressure on prices and discourage new upstream investment in gas production and LNG liquefaction capacity. At the same time, market reforms in places like Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have the potential to bring new investments and technologies to unlock vast domestic resources, creating new prospects for the gas industry,” it added.

It stated that the demand in the main gas-consuming sector – power generation, continues to expand, but at a much more modest rate of less than one per cent annually. In many mature markets, the rapid increase in power generation from renewables, combined with modest growth in electricity demand, limits opportunities for thermal generation. In many emerging markets that rely on imported gas, especially those without a price on carbon or strict regulations on air pollution, gas faces very strong competition from coal.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said recently at an event in Lagos that the country can leverage on its enormous gas resource and position it as Africa’s hub for petrochemicals.

This, he said, will have a massive impact on the nation’s economy and Gross Domestic Product.

Kachikwu stated that Nigeria has witnessed an increase in proven national Gas Reserve from 188 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in 2015 to 192 Tcf in 2016. “This can be ramped up if we focus on growing our reserve through active exploration,” he added

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Continue Reading
Comments

Economy

Nigeria’s Plan to Review Oil Companies’ Gas Flaring Strategies

Published

on

Oil

Nigeria is ramping up its efforts to address environmental concerns in the oil and gas sector with a comprehensive plan to review gas flaring strategies of international and indigenous oil companies.

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced this initiative during a national stakeholders engagement meeting on methane mitigation and reduction held in Abuja, Investors King reports.

Gas flaring, a common practice in the oil industry, releases methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and posing health risks to communities near oil facilities.

Nigeria aims to end routine gas flaring by 2030, aligning with global climate goals and commitments.

Dr. Salako explained the importance of reducing methane emissions and highlighted the detrimental effects on public health, food security, and economic development.

He outlined practical steps being taken to tackle methane emissions, including the development of methane guidelines and the engagement of government institutions.

The ministry, through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, will conduct periodic reviews of oil companies’ plans to ensure compliance with the gas flaring deadline.

Deloitte management consultants will assist in conducting comprehensive forensic audits to scrutinize the legitimacy of forward-contracted transactions.

President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to environmental sustainability underscores the government’s dedication to addressing climate change and fulfilling its multilateral environmental agreements.

The engagement event served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss methane mitigation strategies, existing policies, and implementation challenges.

Collaboration and dialogue among diverse sectors are crucial in charting a unified course towards sustainable methane reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

As the country navigates its environmental agenda, ensuring accountability and transparency in gas flaring practices remains paramount for achieving a greener and healthier future.

Continue Reading

Economy

Interest Rate Jumps to 24.75% as CBN Takes Aggressive Stance Against Inflation

Published

on

Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant increase in the monetary policy rate, known as the interest rate, to 24.75%.

This move disclosed by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso during the 294th Meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee press briefing in Abuja, represents a bold step by the apex bank to address the mounting inflationary pressures faced by the country.

With inflation soaring to 31.70% in February, the CBN aims to moderate this upward trend by tightening its monetary policy stance.

This decision follows the previous hike in the interest rate to 22.75% in February, showcasing the CBN’s commitment to combatting inflationary forces.

While the bank opted to maintain the Cash Reserve Ratio at 45%, the significant increase in the interest rate underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for decisive action.

Governor Cardoso emphasized that these measures are essential to stabilize the economy and safeguard the purchasing power of the Nigerian currency.

The 294th MPC marks the second meeting under Governor Cardoso’s leadership, indicating a proactive approach to addressing economic challenges.

The next MPC meeting is scheduled for May 20th and 21st, 2024, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the CBN to navigate Nigeria’s economic landscape amidst inflationary pressures.

Continue Reading

Economy

Nigeria Braces for 10th Consecutive Interest Rate Hike by Central Bank

Published

on

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

As Nigeria grapples with persistently high inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is gearing up to implement its tenth consecutive interest rate hike in a bid to curb the soaring prices and attract investment.

Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg are anticipating a substantial 125 basis-point increase in the key rate to 24%, marking one of the most significant adjustments in the current tightening cycle.

The decision, expected to be announced by Governor Olayemi Cardoso on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Abuja, comes on the heels of inflation accelerating to 31.7% in February, far surpassing the central bank’s target range of 9%.

This surge has been primarily attributed to the sharp depreciation of the naira, prompting authorities to devalue the currency twice since June to narrow the gap with the unofficial market rate and encourage investor confidence.

While these measures have seen the naira strengthen in recent days and bolstered investment inflows, including a fourfold increase in overseas remittances and significant foreign investor portfolio asset purchases, there remains a palpable need for more decisive action.

Giulia Pellegrini, a senior portfolio manager at Allianz Global Investors, emphasized the necessity for the CBN to intensify its tightening efforts to regain foreign investors’ confidence in the local bond market.

While acknowledging the positive strides made by the central bank, Pellegrini stressed the importance of a more assertive approach to prevent the diversion of investor attention to other frontier markets.

As the Nigerian economy navigates through these challenging times, the impending interest rate hike signals the CBN’s determination to address inflation head-on and foster a more stable economic environment.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending