FENOG Commissions Pipe-laying Vessel

Nigerian indigenous firm FENOG is building its business on the back of the government’s local content policy. The government’s policy is allowing for the company to acquire facilities and create jobs.

FENOG recently inaugurated what is described as ''Africa’s largest'' offshore pipe-laying/Derrick barge the ‘Akpevweoghene’ which means ‘Let us praise God’ in a local ethnic dialect in Delta State.

Akpevweoghene can lay pipes offshore from 2" to 60", from depths of 200 to 300 ft, and can also lift heavy duty equipment of 1,000 tons. Currently the company is laying a very important pipeline for Nigeria’s natural gas sector, the Escravos-Lagos pipeline.

The company has been commended for the strides it has made for Nigeria’s local content by Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The petroleum minister said that the local content policy was not ''a lip service and mere slogan.” According to her, ''the policy will entrench indigenous operators in our country’s oil industry.”

Continuing, she said, “I am extremely impressed with what I have seen here today at FENOG. This is 100 indigenous company that has got to the stage of procuring and managing a large vessel that can carry 300 people.

''With the kind of facilities that we have seen here today, i think this is something that is most commendable. It is also an indication that Nigerian local content drive is actually working.''