OTL Africa Downstream Week: Dr. Seye Unveils Strategies to Reach Net Zero by 2050
Dr. Samba Seye, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc., briefed attendees at the 2021 Oil Trading and Logistics, OTL Africa Downstream Week about the company's efforts and objectives to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
The two-day hybrid event kicked off with an opening ceremony on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, and lasted on Friday, October 29, 2021. Downstream in Transition: Getting Set was the subject of this year's 15th OTL Conference.
Dr. Seye, who spoke as a panelist at the inaugural ceremony held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, informed attendees that the company is cooperating with its stakeholders to ensure it does not make mistakes. The theme of the panel session was: Clean Fuels and Refining Standards in the Age of Zero Carbon,
"“Getting to Net Zero for us has been separated into three major scopes: scope one is carbon emitted into the atmosphere into our own locations; scope 2 are direct and indirect emissions associated with our operations and scope 3 are emissions from third party. So how do we to an extent partner with these people to join our ambition in our net zero project?” - Dr. Samba Seye. "
The MD explained some of the ongoing strategies: conversion of the running of most of its stations to solar power, investing in CNG and by the first quarter of 2022, there will be two test case of CNG stations in Lagos and Abuja and, “We are also working with corporate bodies to see if we can help them convert to natural gas, especially in the north hoping that when the Ajaokuta–Kano-Kaduna pipeline comes up, we will be ready to tap into that opportunity.”
Dr. Samba Seye who was represented by the Special Advisor, Special Projects and Public Affairs, Charles Atiomo expressed the company’s support for the Federal Government’s plan to move from fossil fuels to other energy sources. “The government is gradually coming up with plans and policies to move from fossil fuels to other energy sources like CNG, LNG and solar. These are things I think we need to buy into. We must act now before it is too late. We must try as much as possible to reduce green gas emissions into the atmosphere. We must definitely change our line of thinking in such a way to tie into what the world is thinking about.”
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Downstream, Adetunji Adeyemi expressed optimism that the conference will give directions on the transition of Nigeria Downstream in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA era.
"I am positive that this event will expand the net of participants to effectively manage the transition of Nigeria Downstream in this PIA era. Hydrocarbon will continue to be relevant in the global energy mix for the next two decades at least. The current energy shortage experienced all over the world will persist pushing up fuel and electricity prices and exerting pressure on government to relax emission targets and consequently slow down the effort to decarbonize the world. As Nigeria’s demand for petroleum products is expected to grow from 15.1 million metric tonnes in 2020 to 17.3 million metric tonnes by 2025, the country needs a refining capacity of about 1.52 million barrels per stream day (MBPSD) to meet its PMS requirements in the next 4 years.- Adetunji Adeyemi."
He said that the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA will unleash transformation of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. He further gave the breakdown of the PIA and how it will affect the downstream industry especially for investors.
The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in the state, Lere Odusote.
The governor reaffirmed that sector players need to understand their role in the deliberations of the 2021 OTL theme:
"I will like to highlight three considerations which are by no means exhaustive. First are disruptions in the transportation sector – advent of electric vehicle have long term implications. Second is Safety – the downstream oil and gas in Nigeria is plagued with unnecessary disasters and leveraging digitization in decision making. The Lagos state government is fully committed to ensuring energy security and deepening utilization of cleaner fuel in Lagos state. - Lere Odusote"
Emeka Akabogu, Chairman of OTL Africa Downstream Conference and Exhibitions, thanked sponsors and urged participants to establish partnerships and brand value during the various panel sessions during his welcome address.
Other panel sessions were organized during the four-day conference, generating discussion.
The annual OTL Africa Downstream Week is a Pan-African initiative dedicated to promoting downstream petroleum market business, policy, and stakeholder interactions across the continent.
