Ghana to host gas forum

Accra, Feb. 10, GNA – Government’s strategic plan to utilize the gas from the oil-producing Jubilee Field to boost industrialization and also minimize the detrimental environmental effects associated with gas would hit the spotlight at an international gas forum scheduled for February 15 and February 16 in Accra.

The Ghana Gas Forum seeks to bring to the fore, key public and private sector players in the local and international oil and gas industry.

A document obtained from the Ghana Oil Club by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday named the Ministry of Energy and Ghana National Gas Company as partners for the Gas Forum.

Ghana’s gas monetization plans for the Jubilee field and the policy framework considerations needed to ensure sustainable development of otherwise stranded gas assets are some of the topics to be discussed.

Others include, “Making the Case: State-run Industries versus Competitive Markets,” “Gas Trading in Ghana: Prospects, Challenges and Opportunities,” “Regional Infrastructure Development: The Future of the West African Gas Pipeline,” and “Development of Ghana’s Natural Gas Industry – Learning from others”.

Speakers slated for the forum include key individuals in the energy sector such as Mr. Kwame Pianim, Board Member, Petroleum Commission; Mr. Kweku Awotwi, Chief Executive, Volta River Authority; Mr. Charles Adeniji, Managing Director, West African Gas Pipeline Company; and Mr. Philip Liverpool, Commercial Director, Kosmos Energy.

Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, Board Chairman of the Ghana National Gas Company, is expected to chair the forum, whilst Mr. Stephen Dow, a lecturer at the prestigious Center for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee, Scotland is billed to be the guest of honour.

According to the Planning Committee, the forum would also create opportunities to share perspectives on the gas sector development in Ghana’s bid to maximize benefits from its gas resource.

The organizers also seek to document additional initiatives and strategies that may be discussed for presentation to key stakeholder institutions in Ghana such as Parliament and state agencies.