PE Energy, a subsidiary of PANA Holdings, in collaboration with German company Bornemann, has introduced the Multi-Phase Pump (MPP) to the Nigerian market as part of efforts to eliminate gas flaring and reduce carbon emissions.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability, as championed by former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The unveiling took place at an event titled Eliminating Flaring and Reducing CAPEX in Production Fields – A Sustainable Approach, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, on 4th February. The MPP technology is designed to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint by capturing and processing gas that would otherwise be flared, thereby contributing to the country’s climate goals.
Speaking at the event, Chairman and CEO of PANA Holdings, Daere Akobo, highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing commitments under the Paris Agreement and COP28 to reduce methane emissions, a key component of flared gas. “The federal government has enacted policies such as the Flare Gas Prevention and Waste Policy of 2016 and the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 to address gas flaring,” Akobo noted. He emphasised the regulatory role of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in ensuring compliance.
Explaining the functionality of the MPP, Akobo stated, “The word MPP means multi-phase pump. What that means is that when you produce a well, it comes with a combination of oil, it comes with a combination of gas, and of course, water. So, it is very, because of the mixed viscosities and densities, it is usually very difficult. So, basically, traditionally, the production will go through a test separator, usually called three-phase test separator, and then again, a lot of dryers to be able to separate the oil, the gas, and of course, the water for discharge, which is called effluent water discharge. Now, what this technology does is that it goes to the neck of the production field and captures the entire component and pumps the entire component.
“Again, when there is also maybe high gas, you know, oil ratio. So, it takes the entire component and delivers it in a safe area. Thereby, you are talking about two pipelines, and you now use, instead of two pipelines, use one.
“And then, it will take off all those big gas droppers and all of that at the point of, you know, extraction of the oil, and then delivers it to that. So, it reduces the footprint of the entire value chain in the traditional method. Again, a lot of steel that is used in gas droppers. So, you save a lot of money, and then again, you kill the flare at that point, and then take it over to 9 a processing plant.”
Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, Johannes Lehne, underscored the significance of gas flaring elimination for both Nigeria and global climate efforts. “The avoidance of gas flaring is of big importance to Nigeria and to the rest of the world. Nigeria promised in 2022 to eliminate gas flaring as his contribution to CO2 emissions worldwide. This is his nationally determined contribution, but up to now nothing has happened. And this is mainly due to the fact that the right technology was not there, and now we are bringing it, and we hope that with this technology all the oil companies in Nigeria will in five years stop all gas flaring, increase their production, apply this new technology in order to support the president, his plan to get to 2 million oil production per day, and therefore actually this is the thing to do, and we hope that this seminar will bring a breakthrough in order to improve oil production and avoid gas flaring in Nigeria,” he said.
Dayo Akinmoyo, Executive Director of NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), expressed optimism about future collaborations. “We have a technology research and technology department that was recently created about two years ago. They are looking at, so perhaps the company can also reach out to them and engage them to see what kind of technology they’re coming up with, specifically looking at energy efficiency, looking at sustainable energy situations.
“There’s a lot to do with obviously partnership. Germany is known for proper equipment. Their cars are very good. So one assumes, you know, anything they do in terms of technology should also be good. So it’s really, I mean, both the country, I mean, various companies and various technology providers collaborating on partnership and to see what’s the best for the country,” she remarked.
The introduction of the MPP represents a significant step in Nigeria’s drive to end gas flaring while ensuring a more efficient and environmentally friendly oil and gas sector.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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