Assessment of Natural Gas Infrastructure Development in Ghana

Assessment of Natural Gas Infrastructure Development in Ghana

Economics

Liquefied natural gas

Gasoline

Sustainable development

Gas industry

Economic and social effects

Agricultural robots

Investments

Gases

Natural gas deposits

Manufacture

Transportation personnel

Public policy

Cultivation

Cement industry

Cement manufacture

Natural Gas Infrastructure is an integral component of our economic and societal development. This in recent times, has drawn global investments and continues to be a major backbone to the world energy mix. Analysis of the data shows a financial and knowledge gap in the development of gas infrastructures in Ghana. In addition, there is limited private sector participation in gas infrastructure development due to a government policy framework. Further assessment shows that natural gas was mainly being used for power generation, industrial heating applications with Liquefied Petroleum Gas as its by-product used for domestic cooking.In conclusion, a gas infrastructural development fund needs to be established to support activities within the sector for the full realization of the Gas Master Plan. Also, human resources training within the various technical universities on natural gas development must be enhanced. There is a need for a review of the policy framework to factor in private sector participation through public-private partnership in gas infrastructure development as well as improvement in fiscal regime to mitigate risk and create a friendly environment for investors. The study unearthed other economic benefits that could fully be utilized for the economic and sustainability of society. In agriculture, it was realized that natural gas can be used for making protein-rich animal feed and also in fertilizer for crop production. In transportation, compressed natural gas can be fully utilized as fuel for vehicles resulting in reduced emissions to the environment. Natural gas could also play a key role in cement manufacturing, methanol production, fabrics, and paint manufacturing.

2020

Yaw Boahen, Kenneth

Oppong, Riverson

conferencePaper

10.2118/203778-MS

https://doi.org/10.2118/203778-MS