TIG Post

Tag: natural gas

  • NPP plotting to transfer Ghana’s natural gas resources to a private company – Minority

    NPP plotting to transfer Ghana’s natural gas resources to a private company – Minority

    Minority in Parliament alleges that there’s a plan underway to transfer control of Ghana’s natural gas reserves to a private entity.

    According to John Jinapor, the Minority Spokesperson on Mines and Energy, the original deal involved a foreign company, but to circumvent the need for parliamentary approval, a local entity has been established in Ghana to proceed with the agreement.

    Jinapor criticises the lack of transparency surrounding the contract, labelling it as corrupt. He highlights concerns that the government is attempting to evade parliamentary scrutiny by resorting to such tactics.

    He explains that whilst one of the factions in government is “supporting Intel Logistics Bureau, another faction is supporting Genser for the same resources.”

    “This has the potential to lead to serious judgement debt against the state,” he cautioned.

    Describing the contract as “illegitimate, illegal, opaque, and clandestine,” the Yapei Kusawgu lawmaker likened it to an existing agreement he deems a “rip-off,” where “Genser is paying US$1.70 for gas that should be sold around US$6.00.”

    The former Deputy Minister of Energy further alleged that some high-ranking government officials are exerting pressure on the Chief Executive of Ghana Gas to approve certain contracts.

    He sent a word of caution to government and the companies involved to advise themselves since the next NDC administration will not countenance any such arrangements.

    “We in the minority wish to send a caution and let me make it clear that we are aware that that unimpeachable information indicates that some high-ranking officials in government are pressuring the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gas Company to sign some of these dubious-contracts.

    “Let me make it clear without equivocation that the next John Mahama administration will not be bound by illegal contracts. In as much as we respect the sanctity of contracts, we will not honour illegitimate, illegal, opaque, clandestine contracts that go against the Republic of Ghana,” he cautioned

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVygh-kV90Q
  • Govt seeking to privatize Ghana’s natural gas resources without approval – John Jinapor alleges

    Govt seeking to privatize Ghana’s natural gas resources without approval – John Jinapor alleges


    The Minority Caucus in Parliament has leveled accusations against the Akufo-Addo administration, claiming it is actively awarding natural gas contracts despite its impending departure from office.

    John Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, specifically pointed out that the government is pursuing agreements with private companies for natural gas without obtaining parliamentary approval.

    During a media briefing on Monday, May 6, 2024, Jinapor labeled these actions as suspicious and unlawful, warning of negative consequences for the nation in the long run.

    “We have taken delivery of documents that suggest the award of a contract, or what is technically known as GPP2, which is the second phase of the gas infrastructure project for the country, was taken under very opaque, dubious, and suspicious circumstances.

    “Indeed, we are getting confirmation that the original company that bid for the contract was a foreign one, but because of greed and corruption, some elements in government have connived to constitute a local company in order to avoid parliamentary scrutiny,” the lawmaker said.

    John Jinapor went on to claim that there are two factions within the current government intent on exploiting the Ghana Gas Company Limited for their own personal interests.

    He pointed to a scenario where one faction favors Intel Logistics Bureau while the other backs Genser Energy Ghana Limited in their bids for the same natural gas resources.

    “This has the potential to lead to serious judgement debt against the State.

    “We in the Minority wish to send a caution, and let me make it clear that we are aware that some high-ranking officials in government are pressurizing the CEO of Ghana Gas [Dr. Ben Asante] to sign some of these dubious contracts,” John Jinapor emphasized.

    However, John Jinapor emphasized that the upcoming administration led by John Dramani Mahama will not be constrained by unlawful and non-transparent contracts that undermine the interests of the Republic of Ghana.

    Minority: Government Set to Award Non-transparent Gas Contract to Private Firm without Approval

  • GAS prices increase as strikes start in Australia

    GAS prices increase as strikes start in Australia

    The cost of natural gas increased because workers went on strike at two large places where natural gas is made into a liquid form in Australia.

    The employees at Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone plants in Western Australia are going on strike because they are unhappy with their payment and working conditions.

    The two plants owned by the US energy giant make up more than 5% of the total worldwide capacity for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

    On Friday, the cost of gas for businesses in the UK increased by roughly 10%.

    Analysts at Engie EnergyScan said that prices have increased this morning, but not by a large amount.

    “We haven’t started to see a decrease in the amount of resources available yet. ” So, there’s no need to worry if everything else seems bad, they said.

    Australia is a big exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), just like Qatar and the US. When Russia started reducing its natural gas supplies to Europe, Australia’s LNG helped lower global energy prices.

    Australia’s industrial mediator, the Fair Work Commission, has been organizing peaceful discussions between Chevron and the Offshore Alliance. The Offshore Alliance consists of two unions that represent energy workers.

    “Sadly, after many meetings and discussions to work things out with the Fair Work Commission, we still disagree on important conditions,” explained a representative from Chevron.

    Brad Gandy, who speaks for Offshore Alliance, said that Chevron’s stance hasn’t really changed much even after talking for five days.

    “The Offshore Alliance members are asking them to change their approach so that they can resolve this disagreement,” he added.

    Wholesale energy prices have decreased but there is still pressure to keep prices down.

    The cost of oil went up this week, with a type called Brent crude being traded for around $90 per barrel. This happened because Saudi Arabia and Russia decided to continue reducing the amount of oil they are supplying until the end of the year.

    LNG is a type of gas made from methane, which is a gas often found in natural sources like coal and oil. It can also be mixed with another gas called ethane. Before it is used, the impurities are removed and it is cooled to a very low temperature of around -160C.

    This changes the gas into a liquid so it can be transported in tightly sealed tanks.

    The LNG is converted back into gas and used for heating, cooking, and power, just like regular natural gas.