2024-02-12 23:29:35
Gabon is an oil-producing country but imports almost all of the butane gas consumed in households. To reduce its dependence on foreign countries, Gabon has just inaugurated a gas production plant in Batanga in the southwest of the country, near Port-Gentil. An event welcomed by the populations, but also by the transitional authorities.
From our correspondent in Libreville,
The President of the Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema personally traveled to Batanga to inaugurate the factory. This project was launched under the old regime two years ago. “ In response to a need for additional energy expressed by Gabon, Perenco launched the project to build this LPG plant, what is more commonly called butane gas or domestic gas.explains Adrien Broche, general manager of Perenco. This represents for us an investment of more than 50 million dollars, or around 35 billion FCFA. » According to the Franco-British company, the factory has the capacity to produce 15,000 tonnes per year of butane gas and will reduce butane gas imports by more than 50%.
Before this plant, Gabon produced 10,000 tonnes of butane gas via the Société Gabonaise de Raffinage (Sogara). However, all this production does not meet the strong national demand. Good news for the populations, just after the inauguration of the factory, the government has lowered the price of gas bottles from 5,950 to 4,950 FCFA, a reduction of 1,000 FCFA.
Better for people and the environment
Alban Migueli, from the NGO Mandji Cheaper, believes that this is not enough, the State can do even better: “ In comparison with other countries, we are going to talk about Morocco which has for the same bottle at 1,250, Tunisia at 1,350, for Libya the gas is always at 1,500 FCFA. We can do better for our country when it comes to reducing the price of gas. »
In the past, gas discovered in oil fields was systematically burned. Nicaise Moulombi, president of the NGO Croissance santé environment, believes that the new factory generates economic and environmental gains. “ Today, this gas is no longer flared and therefore no longer emits greenhouse gases “, he explains. A use which will make it possible to reduce the impact on the climate, he believes, of “ significantly reduce pollution “. And to conclude: “ it is therefore a good thing for Gabon which is preparing for the energy transition. »
Several other gas projects are underway. In the long term, Gabon dreams of putting an end to gas imports and becoming an exporter.
Also read: Gabon will increase its butane gas production by 20% after 2023
#Gabon #launches #butane #gas #production