Bayelsa State Partners with US Firm to Build $100 Million Gas Processing Facility

The Bayelsa State Government has partnered with Fulcrum LNG Incorporated, a US-based energy company, to build a gas processing facility worth $100 million. This agreement was finalized on Wednesday during the US-Nigeria Governors G2B Forum on Energy, Mining, and Infrastructure in Texas.

The forum brought together various Nigerian state representatives and over 15 American firms in the energy and mining sectors. The project will start with gathering and commercializing flared gas, which is gas that is burned off from oil extraction, to power local industries and reduce environmental damage.

Fulcrum LNG’s Chief Executive Officer, Jesus Bronchalo, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership after meeting with Bayelsa’s Governor Douye Diri. He mentioned that the company would conduct a study to assess the gas flare sites in Bayelsa to find the best technology and infrastructure needed.

Bronchalo noted that the investment size could exceed similar projects Fulcrum is working on in other countries, and it will take about a year from the initial decision to the project’s launch. He emphasized the importance of understanding the local situation, such as whether the flaring is due to a lack of infrastructure or other issues.

Governor Diri welcomed the deal, highlighting its potential to protect the environment and promote industrialization in Bayelsa. He pointed out that the state holds a significant portion of Nigeria’s gas reserves and has a long coastline that provides access to international shipping routes.

Samuel Diminas, the CEO of Westpaq International, which facilitated the forum, praised the collaboration and recognized the efforts of those involved in making the event successful.