Dr. Julius Rone, Managing Director of UTM Offshore Ltd, owners of Nigeria’s pioneering Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG), has reaffirmed his dedication to boost the nation's gas productivity. Recognized as the Oil and Gas Personality of the Year 2023 by Daily Independent Newspapers, Dr. Rone sees this accolade as motivation to intensify his efforts.
During the award ceremony at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, he highlighted his transformative contributions to Nigeria's oil and gas sector, emphasizing his company's initiatives, particularly the establishment of UTM Floating Liquified Natural Gas (UTM FLNG), the nation's premier floating liquefied natural gas entity.
Dr. Rone projected that upon completion, UTM FLNG will significantly boost the national economy by annually producing 1.5 million tons of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) for export, alongside 300,000 metric tonnes for the domestic market.
Furthermore, this venture promises to generate numerous employment opportunities and foster investments within Nigeria.
While expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Rone emphasized the importance of such acknowledgments in fueling his commitment to national development and pledged to sustain efforts aimed at enhancing gas productivity, both for export capacity and domestic affordability.
Advancing into the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning (EPCIC) phase following regulatory approvals, Dr. Rone assured adherence to international standards throughout the project. He lauded President Bola Tinubu for the government's unwavering support, essential for ensuring the project's success.
Dr. Rone commended President Tinubu's dedication to the Decade of Gas policy, which has significantly encouraged private investment in Nigeria's gas sector.
