Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd says it’s not planning to shut down its six-train plant for maintenance next year.
At the weekend, reports had shown that the company was planning a total shutdown of its six-train, 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)-capacity plant in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, over a proposed maintenance operation scheduled to commence by February or March 2024.
But General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Andy Odeh, said in a statement on Monday, that the report is ‘false’.
Odeh said temporarily taking off a specific train or unit offline for maintenance purposes does not entail a complete shutdown of the entire plant.
He said the planned maintenance is part of its regular production calendar and that the company has a proven track record of carrying out maintenance without disrupting production.
Odeh said, “NLNG categorically states that this report is false. The company’s commitment to the safe and uninterrupted functioning of its plant underscores the significance of routine turnaround maintenance, referred to technically as a ‘Shutdown’.
“Contrary to the report’s assertions, a routine turnaround maintenance, while temporarily taking a specific train or unit offline for maintenance purposes, does not entail a complete shutdown of the entire plant.
“The meticulous planning and execution of this essential activity allows for the seamless transfer of production loads to unaffected trains, resulting in minimal impact on overall production.
“The ‘shutdown’ alluded to in the report is a routine turnaround maintenance and is part of NLNG’s production calendar.
“NLNG takes exception to the disconcerting lack of factual accuracy in the report, highlighting the evident absence of discretion.”
He said NLNG has a track record of global achievements during turnaround maintenance, having consistently set high standards in safety and project management that ensure the continued operational efficiency of its assets.
The company said that it is committed to the safe and uninterrupted functioning of its plant.