Process of implementing the gas master plan, to meet government’s  target of 10,000 mega watts of electricity by 2011, kicked off yesterday.

The master plan was designed to provide  necessary infrastructure to channel excess gas from oil exploitation, to power the numerous power generating plants being built in the country.

At the commencement of the two-day event, 15 potential investors shortlisted to run the new gas policy, including Gazprom of Russia, were announced, and the timeline of activities leading up to when they would be franchised  to start implementing their plans were released.

The shortlisted companies include Gazprom (Russia) and Britsish Gas and Centrica (Britain), GasNatural and UnionFanosa (Spain) and EoN Rhugas (Germany).

Others were Shell (Anglo Dutch), Chevron (USA), PTT (Thailand), Global Energy/ Hanover (Nigeria/USA), Statoil Hydro (Norway) Gail (India), Kogas (Korea), Oando and Sahara Energy (two indigenous companies).

Based on their charge, the new deadline to end gas flaring has now been put at 2011, when  investors who finally get the franchise would have started processing unutilised gas that is currently flared.

Making these known at the gas infrastructure  investor briefing yesterday in Abuja,  Group Managing Director,  Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr David Ige, said flared gas that is unutilised by the end of 2011, would be used by those franchised to provide various gas infrastructural facilities.

According to a presentation by Ige,  it  starts with the launch of the information memorandum and briefing session for potential bidders, while on May 8, they are to confirm their intention to bid and state composition of consortium if available.

May 16 will be the deadline for receipt of clarification requests, while clarifications by the Federal Government would be prepared by May 22 , the same day that clarifications (online or physical workshop) would be closed.

Deadline for the receipt of bids is September 18; announcement of bidders who passed stage one and opening of stage two Performance Offers will be done on October 16, while validation of bids and confirmation by the Federal Government of successful franchisees will take place on October 23.


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