NNPC Takes 15% Equity Stake in Starzs Gas CNG Mother Station in Delta 

Peter Uzoho

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) through its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) has agreed to take a 15-per cent equity shareholding in Starzs Gas Limited’s two million standard cubic feet per day (2mmscf/d) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mother station in Iwhrekan, Ugheli South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State.

The partnership between Starzs Gas Limited and NNPC Limited was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project held recently and led by the Managing Director of NGML, HRN Justin Ezeala, who represented the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The national oil company has also agreed to guarantee gas supply to the multi-million-dollar facility on a competitive pricing basis and allow its logo to stand side by side with that of Starzs Gas in a further demonstration of the partnership.

Starzs Gas is owned by Nigeria’s foremost maritime billionaire and multi-portfolio investor, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun.

The facility sited close to the NAZ 3 gas plant in Utorogu, on a land size of 21,002.226sm2, is planned for inauguration in the first quarter (Q1) 2026 while its scale up to 5mmscf/d will be expected within 18 months.

The first phase of the project is estimated to cost over $7 million.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of Starzs Gas Limited, Iroghama Ogbeifun, noted that the facility was in tandem with the federal government’s declaration of the current decade as the Decade of Gas.

According to her, the project also supports the Presidential CNG initiative whose mandate was to deepen the use of CNG as auto fuel thereby reducing carbon emissions into the environment.

 “This plant represents our unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy accessibility, and fostering economic growth—not only in Delta State or the South-South region but across Nigeria”, Ogbeifun added.

She announced the strategic partnership with NNPCL, saying NGML was offered and has agreed to accept a 15 per cent equity stake in the project.

She said:  “As we break ground today, we embark on a journey that will drive industrial growth, create jobs, and provide affordable energy solutions for generations to come”, Ogbeifun added.

 In his remarks, Ezeala, who confirmed the partnership between NNPCL and Starzs Gas, said the national oil company was showing the way in the private sector’s response to the federal government’s call for private investment in the nation’s gas space.

He reiterated that the NNPCL will supply gas to the facility through the NNPC Gas Company (NGC)’s pipeline.

Ezeala stated. “We are here to pay homage to a vision that has been on for quite some time. A vision that will move from marine to gas, and from gas, we take it somewhere else. Wherever the path leads, we walk, we follow. But we follow responsible leadership. A leader without followers is taking a walk.”

The Chairman of Starzs Gas Limited, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, said the establishment of Starzs Gas Limited signalled “a generational shift,” as the Starzs Group had for decades focused largely on the maritime industry.  

Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Felix Ogbe, represented by the board’s General Manager, Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Dan Kikile, congratulated Starzs Gas for making such a huge investment in the CNG sector to drive power generation, industrialisation and expand the country’s economy.

 In a goodwill message, the member representing Ugheli North/ South/Udu federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive, expressed his excitement with the groundbreaking.

On his part, the President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, said the project being undertaken would reduce carbon footprint and bring about other economic benefits.

Caption 

L-R: General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Esuene Dan Kikile; Chairman, Starzs Gas Limited, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun; Member representing Ugheli North/South/Idu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive;  Managing Director, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), HRH Justin Ezeala; snd Vice Chairman, Starzs Gas Limited, Iroghama Ogbeifun, at the groundbreaking of Starzs Gas 2MMSCF/D Compressed Natural Gas Facility at Iwhrekan community, Ugheli South LGA, Delta State…recently.