Page 16 - AfrOil Week 40 2021

AfrOil NEWS IN BRIEF AfrOil

of home-grown technology. He added that “no major FID for the development of a third pro-
nation can really develop by being a consumer duction hub in Block 15/06.
of other countries technology and intellectual Angola plays a key role in the strategy for
properties.” organic growth of Eni, which has been present
He further revealed that NCDMB had in the Country since 1980.
focussed on Research and Development in the Eni, October 5 2021
oil and gas sector with the launch of the R&D
Roadmap anchored on eight key pillars and Eni supports energy
42 initiatives and launch of a $50million Nige-
rian Content Research & Development Fund transition and
to drive basic research, commercialisation
of research breakthroughs, establishment of decarbonisation in the
Centers of Excellence, and to sponsor University
endowments. Republic of Congo
NCDMB, October 4 2021
Eni has signed a Memorandum of Understand-
ing (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture,
BIOFUELS Livestock and Fisheries, Paul Valentin Ngobo,
the Minister of Hydrocarbon Bruno Jean Rich-
Eni, ANPG and Sonangol ard Itoua and the Minister of International
Cooperation and Promotion of Public Private
Wabote also stressed the importance of devel- enter MoU on agro-biofuel Partnership Denis Christel Sassou N’Guesso on
oping in-country capacities and capabilities, the joint development of the agro-biofuel sector
catalysing local manufacturing and infrastruc- initiatives in Angola in the country.
tural development as well as Human Capacity The MoU sets the framework for the indus-
Development. Eni, ANPG and Sonangol have signed an MoU trial-scale production of castor oil, to provide
He hinted that implementation of major for the joint development of the agro-biofuel sec- feedstock for Eni’s bio-refinery system, while
projects are important in the development of tor in Angola. also creating employment opportunities and
in-country capacities and capabilities, while Under the MoU, Eni, ANPG and Sonangol expanding agricultural activities to marginal and
Capacity Development Initiatives (CDI’s) are will develop a de-carbonisation path for the abandoned lands, avoiding impacts on agricul-
important tools in closing identified capacity Republic of Angola through a circular economy tural areas and activities currently destined for
gaps. He added that Project Based trainings are approach, assessing in particular the develop- food production. The pilot phase is set to begin
important element of Human Capacity Devel- ment of low-ILUC (indirect land-use change) this month, with castor bean sowing activities on
opment, while major projects are important to cultivations such as castor beans on degraded over 200 hectares (2 square km) of land, and up
sustain utilisation of established capacities and lands and cover crops in rotation with cereals. to 1,000 estimated beneficiaries. The industrial
attract additional investments for growth. As part of the MoU, the parties will also evaluate development phase is expected to see cultiva-
He pointed out that Funding and Incentives business opportunities in the areas of waste-col- tions on 150,000 hectares (1,500 square km) with
are important to implementing Local Content lection, with the purpose of valorising the 90,000 estimated beneficiaries by 2030.
programmes, developing infrastructure, attract- organic fraction, and bio-refining. This MoU opens a new area of activity for Eni
ing new investments, and keeping existing busi- The MoU is in line with Eni’s commitment in Congo, in support of the Congolese National
nesses afloat where required. to accelerate the energy transition in fossil-fuel Development Plan for Agriculture 2018-2022,
Dwelling on funding, Wabote explained that producing countries, promoting the integration and builds upon Eni’s commitment to contrib-
one percent of the value of contracts awarded of the African continent into the biofuel value ute to the decarbonisation of African countries’
in the upstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas chain through agribusiness and industrial devel- energy mix, leveraging the contribution that bio-
industry is pooled into the Nigerian Content opment initiatives aimed at the production of fuels can make to achieving carbon neutrality by
Development Fund (NCDF), adding that the advanced biofuels, helping the decarbonisation 2050.
NCDMB had deployed the funds in the launch of the transport sector and promoting develop- Following the signature of the MoU, an Eni
of the $350mn Nigerian Content Intervention ment opportunities. delegation led by CEO Claudio Descalzi met
Fund (NCIF) in partnership with the Bank of As part of the meeting, Descalzi also updated with the President of the Republic of Congo
Industry and NEXIM Bank. Other utilisations President Lourenço on the New Gas Consor- Denis Sassou Nguesso to discuss agricultural
of the NCDF include ongoing development of tium which is now approaching FID, a milestone projects and gas valorisation, ensuring the
Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme as manufac- allowing the valorisation of non-associated gas Country’s development and economic diversifi-
turing hubs, Construction of the new 17-storey reserves in the country, accelerating local devel- cation within the framework of the global energy
headquarters building, 1000-seater international opment through the utilisation of domestic gas, transition. Eni is the only company that engaged
conference center and Partnership with project and contributing significantly to Angola’s path to in the development of the Republic of Congo’s
promoters in the establishment of modular de-carbonisation. considerable gas resources, and currently feeds
refineries, LPG terminals, manufacturing of President Lourenço and Descalzi also gas to the Céntrale Electrique du Congo (CEC),
LPG Cylinders, and others. reviewed the progress of Eni’s activities in the which guarantees 70% of the country’s power
The Executive Secretary underscored the country, and particularly the key targets for 2022: production.
importance of that Research and Development, the start-ups of the Gasoline production increase Eni has been present in Congo for over 50
hinting that Local Content thrives where there project at Luanda Refinery, and of the Caraculo years.
is robust R&D guideline to drive development photovoltaic plant in Namibe province, and a Eni, October 4 2021

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