Akwa Ibom Receives Key Equipment for Major CNG Project
A major milestone has been reached in Akwa Ibom State with the arrival of the first consignment of equipment for a 10 million standard cubic feet per day (10 MMSCF/D) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Station at Uquo Isi Edoho. The equipment, manufactured by China-based CIMC, includes compressors, dehydration and filtering units, heat exchangers, and generating sets. It was received by Nsik Oil & Gas Company Limited, marking a significant step toward the project's commissioning and the establishment of a wider CNG distribution network across the state.
Project Consultant Mr. Mkposong Asuquo highlighted that the facility aims to harness pipeline gas readily available near the project site, located about 500 meters from Frontier Energy and three kilometers from Savannah Energy’s Accugas facility. The shipment followed a successful Factory Acceptance Test in China, involving the project team and regulators. The project is an equity partnership between Nsik Oil & Gas Company Limited and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), under the supervision of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Asuquo revealed that the equipment will form the core of the compression and processing system, with the power system including gas-fired generation and an alternative gasoline-powered arrangement to ensure reliability. The project also involves the establishment of daughter stations to distribute CNG to motorists, industries, and other consumers. The facility is expected to stimulate businesses, employment, and access to cleaner energy, with the project having crossed several critical stages, including regulatory processes and environmental impact assessments.
Hon. Kufre Sam, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), emphasized the project's potential to advance the Federal Government’s CNG initiative and extend gas infrastructure benefits to Akwa Ibom communities. The facility is expected to generate direct and indirect employment, revenue, and skills development, aligning with the government's effort to provide an alternative to petroleum products and reduce transportation and production costs.