Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, organized a tour on Wednesday for a group from Tanzania’s Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority, EWURA, visiting the Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited site in Rivers State.

The initiative sought to highlight real-world advancements in Nigeria’s gas industry and enhance regulatory collaboration between countries.

Headlining the NMDPRA team, Mr Nwachukwu Osode stated that the visit aimed to offer direct understanding of how Nigeria advances gas utilization via efficient regulatory strategies.

“Greenville LNG is a clear example of private sector involvement backed by a supportive regulatory framework,” he stated, noting that the delegation would acquire hands-on insight into Nigeria’s advancements in compressed natural gas, CNG, and liquefied natural gas, LNG, operations.

The EWURA team was headed by Mr. Msafiri Mtepa, the Director of Regulatory Economics, who mentioned that although Tanzania currently uses CNG, the nation is looking into ways to extend its use to LNG.

“Changing global conditions highlight the importance of expanding energy sources, and Nigeria’s situation provides a helpful example for creating an appropriate model domestically,” Mtepa stated.

Mr. Bamidele Eweje, the Executive Secretary of Greenville LNG, greeted the group, highlighting the company’s upward trend and its position as an example for others in Nigeria and further afield.

“We take pride in our accomplishments and continue to focus on cooperation and the exchange of information,” he stated.

The Technical Director, Mr. Werner Pirijns, provided an in-depth overview of the plant’s setup and functioning, highlighting the business opportunities associated with gas when backed by technological advancement, financial support, and appropriate policy structures.

He emphasized the facility’s adaptability as a clean energy option able to fulfill requirements from both industrial and power generation sectors.

Greenville LNG currently has three liquefaction trains in operation during Phase I, with an overall capacity of 2,250 metric tonnes daily, providing LNG to power stations and industrial clients. Phase II will introduce two additional trains, increasing the total capacity to 5,250 metric tonnes per day. The company also manages L-CNG Autogas Stations across the country, aiding Nigeria’s PiCNG and Decade of Gas programs.

The field trip is a component of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing regulatory collaboration throughout Africa and encouraging common development within the region’s natural gas industry.