The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the Seplat Energy ANOH Gas Processing Plant, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy landscape. The commissioning ceremony, which was held May 15, 2024, in Ohaji, Imo State, brought together key stakeholders in the industry.

Right-Left: Effiong Okon, MD ANOH Gas Processing Company; Roger Brown, CEO Seplat Energy Plc; Mele Kyari, GCEO NNPCL; Chinyere Ekomaru, Deputy Governor of Imo State; Udo Udoma, Board Chairman, Seplat Energy Plc and others during the Presidential Commissioning of the ANOH Gas processing Company in Owerri, on Thursday 15th May 2024.

Built by the ANOH Gas Processing Plant Company (AGPC), the ANOH plant is a joint venture owned equally by Seplat Energy and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Plant attained mechanical completion in December 2023 without a single recordable Lost Time Incident (LTI) across 12 million man-hours. With a Phase One processing capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet per day, The ANOH Gas Processing Plant Company is expected to deliver dry gas, condensate, and LPG to domestic and international markets.

Speaking at the commissioning occasion, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended Seplat Energy and its partners for their dedication to advancing Nigeria’s energy agenda. He stated, “Today is a great day of achievement demonstrating teamwork, commitment, and dedication to duty. I congratulate you for all you have done for the country and for fulfilling this in only 11 months. This event is highly significant and demonstrates the administration’s determination to accelerate the development of critical gas infrastructure geared at demonstrably enhancing the supply of energy to boost industrial growth and create employment opportunities and further prosperity for the nation.

“The project also fully aligns with the Decade of Gas initiative and our quest to create value from the nation’s abundant gas asset while eliminating gas flaring and celebrating industrialization. I wish to assure the Nigerian people that indeed this project represents only the beginning as the Federal government is stepping up its coordination of other landmark projects and initiatives that will ensure the earliest possible realization of gas fuel for prosperity in abundance”.

In his remarks Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, Board Chairman, of Seplat Energy, emphasized the strategic importance of the ANOH project, adding that “The ANOH gas project strongly aligns with Seplat Energy’s mission of leading Nigeria’s energy transition with accessible, affordable, and reliable energy that drives social and economic prosperity. As a testament of our pledge to Nigeria, in partnership with the NNPC Ltd, we have delivered this project that will support the current administration’s drive for industrialization and growth of the economy through low-cost reliable power.

“To put this into context, if all of the gas from this plant went into the power sector, it would produce enough electricity to transform the lives of over 5 million people. Given that Nigeria’s population is growing at a rate of over 5 million per annum, we need one of these plants a year every year just to meet the demand of our new arrivals. We all have work to do. We appreciate the unwavering support of our partner NNPCL, the cordial relationship with our host communities, Imo state government and the support of all stakeholders that are too many to mention.”

Commenting on the commissioning of the ANOH project Mr. Roger Brown, CEO, of Seplat Energy, stated that, “Seplat Energy is pleased with the progressive reforms by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration. In March 2024, the President signed executive orders to enhance investments in greenfield gas development and midstream capital projects. Also, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently improved gas prices under the DSO, to trigger further investments to the domestic gas sector – our ANOH gas plant will benefit from these reforms and incentives. “No doubt, the ANOH’s gas will further reduce Nigeria’s carbon intensity and increase energy supplied to the Nigerian domestic market.”

The commissioning ceremony was well-attended by members of the Board, Management and Staff of Seplat Energy, government officials, institutional partners, traditional rulers as well as indigenes, and industry players, amongst other stakeholders.

Speaking on the collaborative efforts between Seplat Energy and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) in bringing the ANOH Plant to fruition, Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd stated that, “The ANOH Gas Processing Plant being commissioned by NNPCL and our partner is in line with Nigeria’s decade 0f gas agenda and particularly consistent with the administration’s efforts to boost gas supply in the domestic market”.

Also speaking at the commissioning, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaru, congratulated Seplat Energy on the record time completion of the project and expressed his delight at the opportunities that lie ahead of the State on account of the successful completion of the ANOH plant, just as Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) remarked that, “With a capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet per day, the ANOH Gas Processing Plant is a shining example of advancement. This plant will greatly advance the availability of domestic gas which will boost power generation and hasten industrialization.”

The ANOH Gas Processing Plant, located at Ohaji, in Imo State, is set to become one of Nigeria’s most strategic gas projects. It is poised to pave the way for increased gas production in Nigeria, accelerating the nation’s transition from small-scale diesel generators to cleaner, less expensive fuels such as natural gas for power generation. In February 2021, AGPC, successfully raised $260 million in debt to fund completion of the ANOH project. The project is now fully funded following the completion of equity investments of $210 million by each partner ($420 million combined).

Seplat Energy is committed to maximizing the potential of the ANOH Gas Processing Plant and delivering value to all stakeholders. As the plant begins operations, Seplat Energy looks forward to harnessing its full potential and contributing to Nigeria’s energy transition journey.