Energy in Benin
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2018) |
Energy in Benin is derived from multiple sources, including, oil and natural gas.
Contents
Oil
Production from the Sémé off shore oil field began in October 1982, operated by Saga Petroleum, a Norwegian company working under a service contract. The field yielded 1.35 million barrels (215,000 m3) of oil in 1991. In 1990, Benin exported an estimated 1.27 million barrels (202,000 m3) of crude oil. In 1986, the contract was transferred to Pan Ocean Oil (Panoco), a Swiss-based US company, but loans to Benin from international development agencies were frozen because the company could not furnish satisfactory financial and capability statements; it withdrew, forcing Benin to take over production. Reserves, estimated at 44 million barrels (7,000,000 m3), were considered sufficient to meet domestic needs. However, Benin has no refinery; consequently, refined petroleum products have to be re-imported. In 2002, imports of refined petroleum products amounted to 12,600 barrels per day (2,000 m3/d). The company responsible for petroleum imports is Société Nationale de Commercialisation des Produits Pétroliers (SONACOP).
Benin ceased petroleum production from its Seme oilfield in 1998. America's Kosmos Energy LLC explored for petroleum in 2006.[1]
Natural gas
Although Benin has natural gas reserves, natural gas production is not active. The company responsible for gas imports is Société Beninoise de Gaz. Natural gas is supplied to Benin by the West African Gas Pipeline.
Electricity
Electrical generating capacity in 2002, totaled 122 MW. Total domestic power output in that same year was 55 GWh, of which hydropower accounted for 2 GWh and fossil fuels for the rest. Electricity consumption in 2002 was 488 GWh. An agreement was signed with Togo and Ghana in 1967 under which Benin receives low-cost electric power from Akosombo Dam on the Volta River in Ghana. Total electricity imports for 2002 were estimated at 437 GWh. Togo and Benin are constructing a dam on the Mono River, along the Togo border, that will feed a power station to supply the southern regions of both countries. Benin also imports electricity from Nigeria through the CEB-NEPA Power Interconnection, commissioned in 2007.
References
- ^ Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo. "The Mineral Industry of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Sao Tome e Principe". 2006 Minerals Yearbook. U.S. Geological Survey (October 2007). This article incorporates text from this U.S. government source, which is in the public domain.
 | This Benin-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |