A significant decline was recorded in foreign investment inflow into the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in the second quarter of 2018, as total capital imported into the industry between April and June 2018, dipped by 70.98 per cent, compared with the amount imported in the first three months of the year.
According to data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS’ Nigerian Capital Importation report for the second quarter of 2018, foreign capital inflow into the oil and gas industry declined by $60.77 million, about N18.6 billion, to $24.85 million, about N7.6 billion in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $85.62 million, about N26.2 billion recorded in the first quarter.
However, no reason was given for the sharp drop in foreign capital inflow into the oil and gas industry, but analysts had consistently blamed the decline in investment on uncertainty in the industry, following the delay in the assent of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB, and the non-passage of the remaining variants of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Also, energy experts had disclosed that investors are sceptical about investing in the nation’s petroleum industry as a result of the uncertainty trailing the forthcoming general elections. The report further stated that the oil and gas industry accounted for 0.45 per cent of the $5.514 billion total capital imported into the economy in the second quarter, compared to its contribution of 1.36 per cent to the $6.3 billion total capital imported in the industry in the first quarter.
Giving a breakdown of foreign capital inflow in the second quarter of 2018, the NBS report noted that in April, May and June 2018, $19.64 million, $4.13 million and $1.08 million capital were imported into the industry, representing 9.1 per cent, 2.9 per cent and 0.56 per cent of $2.16 billion, $1.43 billion and $1.92 billion total capital imported into the economy respectively.
This was compared to foreign investment inflow of $22.12 million, $4.05 million and $59.45 million recorded in January, February and March 2018 respectively, accounting for 8.48 per cent, 2.47 per cent and 28.9 per cent of $2.61 billion, $1.64 billion and $2.06 billion total capital imported into the economy in January, February and March 2018 respectively.
However, there are indications that the new funding options adopted by stakeholders will increase investment and stability in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, who expressed this optimism in an interview with global accounting and services firm, KPMG, said: “I have become more confident of prospects in this sector now more than any time in the recent past. This is essentially because of what we have been able to achieve in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the Nigerian government on JV funding.”
He stated: “We still have a few areas to cover, in particular 2016 arrears, but even that is good progress.” This has been running for a year, so we can say there is some stability and we can seriously consider investments.”
“Following a meeting we held recently with Mr. President in London, our global CEO said that if we get all the conditions right, together with our partners, we will be able to make significant investments in the sector. That is a major indicator of what we are able to do, but it is underpinned by a lot more confidence in the ability of the country to meet its obligations.”
“I am pretty confident that if we can sustain this momentum, we will see investments flow into this sector. The multiplier effect when this happens will be tremendous. As you may have heard the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources often say, ‘we need to diversify our economy,’ but we need oil to get out of oil. So, investments in this sector will be very important.”
The Shell boss further stated that a number of critical enablers are required and will need to be addressed to sustain the forward momentum in the sector, such as creating the right fiscal environment, effectively managing the Nigerian Delta issues and shortening the country’s contracting cycle.
Okunbor said: “First and foremost, we require the right fiscal environment. The on-going discussions at the National Assembly on the four bills that make up what used to be the PIB, including the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill which has been harmonised and passed, is a step in the right direction.” “So we are paying very close attention to the outcome of these bills because ultimately, we need the right legal and fiscal frameworks to enable companies like us to make some big bets. If we don’t get this right, the country is at risk of losing investment capital to other competing jurisdictions.
“Secondly, we need to ensure that the security situation, especially in the Niger Delta, is effectively managed. A resurgence of violence in the region in 2016 severely impacted oil production negatively. It is therefore very important for the industry to work with the government to provide the safe environment for oil and gas assets and for production.
“The contracting cycle is the third major enabler that needs to be addressed. Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), has looked at contracting cycles across jurisdictions and Nigeria is an outlier because of our lengthy contract cycle. We need to explore avenues to shorten the length and examine contract thresholds, which is a significant part of the JVs and contracting cycles.” Continuing, he said: “Oil, as a major component of the global and local energy mix, will continue to remain relevant in the medium term, but expectations have changed. Oil will remain a relevant component of global energy mix, and even more so for Nigeria, over the next 10 to 15 years, if not more.
“The mix will not radically change. What is clear is that society expects low-carbon footprints going into the future. I think that is key and everyone, particularly those who are as big as Shell understands that and will work with society to change.
“We are cutting our carbon footprint by a significant proportion going forward, not just in terms of what we directly produce, but also our usage and our by-products. This requires that we continue to refine our systems and processes to ensure that the carbon intensity of our production continues to go down.”
