POWER generation is set to drop by about 1,200 megawatts as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited shuts down its Utorogu gas plant today (Tuesday) for upgrade and repair works.



The country currently generates 3,200MW of electricity.



The shutdown of the plant, which processes gas that goes into the Escravos Lagos Pipeline, will affect gas supply to the Lagos Thermal Station, Egbin, Omotosho, Olorunsogo and Delta IV power stations.



During the period of the shutdown, which will last for 33 days, the drop in generation will range between 600MW and 1,200MW, according to analysts.



Already, on behalf of the SPDC/Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Joint Venture, the NNPC had asked the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to prepare to use alternative fuel to run some of its power generating units at the Egbin and Delta IV power stations.



A statement made available on Monday by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, explained that the shutdown was designed to enable Shell to complete and inaugurate an integrated control system to facilitate the upgrade of the plant to over 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.



According to Ajuonuma, the planned upgrade will take place over a 33-day period – 25 days for partial and post shutdown period, and eight days for total shutdown.



He explained that the maximum production deferment during the partial and post-shutdown period was 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, while for the total shutdown, the supply deferment was 300 million scfd.



Ajuonuma said, ”However, this will not have any adverse effect on power supply to the nation as NNPC has taken some strong remedial measures to curtail the impact of the envisaged shortfall of about 1,200 MW to the national grid during the eight-day period of total shutdown, from November 5 to 13, 2010.



”Already, the NNPC has facilitated the maximisation of gas production from available gas plants, particularly from the NNPC/ Chevron JV facility.”



He said, “Under the arrangement, Chevron will increase its gas production from 180-200 million scf/d, while gas production at the Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited‘s facility will surge to 65 million scf/d within the period. At this time, it is envisaged that gas supply to the West Africa Gas Pipelines will decrease from 50 million scf/d to 30 million scf/d.



Ajuonuma said a request had been dispatched to the PHCN to operate its dual fuel units at Egbin and Delta IV on fuel oil during the production deferment period.



He added, “The proposed shutdown of the Utorogu gas plant has become crucial at this point in view of the need to ensure process safety, optimise gas production and prevent a total breakdown of the plant as well as reduce costs of contractor personnel and equipment, which have been on standby for a while.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010263594353

How do you even tell when its all black out all the time?

All this is not new ,this is where the power of fuelless generator comes in ,with fuelless generator you have access to uninterrupted power supply, for more info visit , powertech.iceonlyconsult.com

We are working on generators that will use water and little salt. The reason for this combination is that they are readily available and cheap. This generator will be absolutely noiseless and can be kept in the living room.
We have gotten up to 500watts, we are working on increasing it to larger capacities. This product will be released in the nearest future.

Infinity Corporation,
41B nGwa Road, Aba, Abia State.
07032117108, 082-234931.
meetagape@yahoo.com