Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 03ABUJA472, NIGERIA: MEETING WITH NNPC MANAGING DIRECTOR

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #03ABUJA472.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
03ABUJA472 2003-03-11 13:18 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Abuja
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000472 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12598: N/A 
TAGS: EPET ENRG PREL NI OIL
SUBJECT:  NIGERIA: MEETING WITH NNPC MANAGING DIRECTOR 
 
1. Summary:  On January 31, Ambassador Jeter and 
Econoff met with Nigerian National Petroleum 
Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Jackson 
Gaius-Obaseki, and NNPC Group Executive Director, 
Refining and Petrochemicals Directorate, Mansur Ahmed. 
Gaius-Obaseki told the Ambassador that the NNPC was 
concerned about financial transparency in the oil 
sector. Ahmed said the productivity of Nigeria's 
refineries has improved; however, Gaius-Obaseki added 
that the refineries should be privatized. 
Nonetheless, he went on to note that it would be 
politically impossible to raise motor fuel prices in 
order to earn more revenue through the sale of what 
most Nigerians see as their nation's patrimony. 
Gaius-Obaseki dismissed Presidential aspirant Buhari's 
promise of reform in the energy sector, should he be 
elected president. President Obasanjo deserves praise 
for implementing reforms, but he is only one man, and 
reform is slow.  Gaius-Obaseki pointed to expanding 
LNG production and timely NNPC cash calls to oil 
companies as positive developments, but acknowledged 
that the NNPC still owes money to oil companies 
arising from previous military administrations.  The 
Ambassador commended NNPC's ongoing efforts to resolve 
the problems.  End Summary. 
 
 
------------------------------- 
Transparency in the Oil Sector 
------------------------------- 
 
 
2. The Ambassador noted there was a growing movement 
in the U.S. and UK governments, NGOs, and the media to 
promote greater transparency in extractive industries. 
Gaius-Obeseki replied that the NNPC has made great 
progress in transparency. NNPC accounting is 
transparent, he said, and he referred the Ambassador 
to the NNPC webpage as an example of this effort. 
Gaius-Obaseki added that the NNPC's critics are mainly 
in the National Assembly.  "If you had been here in 
late 1998, to be honest, [you would have seen that] we 
NNPC officials were not sure then that we would be 
here today (still under democratic rule)," commented 
The Group Managing Director. Nigeria was lucky that 
democracy had taken root. 
 
 
------------------------ 
Status of Oil Refineries 
------------------------ 
 
 
3. Ahmed updated the Ambassador on Nigeria's state- 
owned refineries.  He said the refineries were doing 
better, but "they are not yet where they should be." 
He remarked that some of the refineries, such as 
Kaduna's, have raised their refining levels to 70% of 
capacity, but Nigeria's four refineries need major 
overhauls and constant maintenance.  Gaius-Obaseki 
said he would like to sell the refineries to private 
investors, but the GON probably had too much at stake 
to completely privatize the refineries.  Nigerians, 
especially before the general elections, will not 
accept motor fuel price hikes.  The Ambassador replied 
that the refineries would need major GON investment to 
make them attractive to private investors. Gaius- 
Obaseki agreed. 
 
 
----------------- 
Laughs for Buhari 
----------------- 
 
 
4.  The Ambassador disclosed that he had recently 
spoken with Presidential hopeful Buhari, who had said 
NNPC reform would be one of his main area of focus. 
Gaius-Obaseki laughed and remarked, as President 
Obasanjo had stated, that anyone can say he will 
reverse the years of neglect of military rule, but to 
do so is very difficult.  The Managing Director said 
the NNPC has improved dramatically under Obasanjo. 
Gaius-Obaseki advised everyone to be fair with 
Obasanjo; "the President cannot do it all alone." 
Resolving contracting irregularities (corruption and 
lack of transparency in bidding) in Nigeria is an 
uphill battle that is unlikely to be won soon, Gaius- 
Obaseki concluded. 
 
 
------------------------------------- 
Natural Gas Development Going Strong 
------------------------------------- 
 
 
5.  The Ambassador stated that he had seen some very 
optimistic numbers in the press, and wondered how much 
earnings from liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales might 
affect the GON's budget revenue in the mid- and long- 
term.  The NNPC Managing Director said that revenue 
from LNG would be considerable, but he did not have an 
idea of the projected revenue. 
 
 
-------------------------------- 
Cash Calls and New U.S. Business 
-------------------------------- 
 
 
6. The Ambassador noted that there were still 
disputes, dating from before 1999, about cash-call 
arrears to some U.S. oil companies. Gaius-Obaseki 
replied that the GON is current on cash calls after 
1999, and is slowly paying pre-1999 debt to joint 
venture (JV) companies. (Although the GON is now 
opting for Production Sharing Contract (PSC's) for the 
development of deep offshore fields, production from 
JV's currently account for nearly all of Nigeria's 
crude oil output.  NNPC holds an average 57 percent 
stake with JV partners such as ExxonMobil, Shell and 
ChevronTexaco, which hold an average 43 percent. 
During the Abacha era, the NNPC did not contribute its 
share to JV operations, which resulted in hundreds of 
millions of dollars in arrears. By the end of February 
2003, the NNPC had liquidated almost all of its cash 
call arrears.) The Ambassador told the Managing 
Director that this was good news and noted that 
several of the U.S. major oil companies also had 
commended NNPC for clearing up the arrears.  We were 
also very pleased about the recent successes of Ocean 
Energy and Cooper-Cameron's Ehra project.  On Ocean 
Energy, the GON had honored its 2001 commitment to us, 
which, in turn, sent a very positive signal to U.S. 
independent oil companies interested in doing business 
in Nigeria. 
 
 
--------- 
The Delta 
--------- 
 
 
7. The Ambassador asked for views on the political 
situation in the Delta. Gaius-Obeseki responded that 
"all is quiet."  He said the Niger Delta Development 
Commission (NDDC) was organized and was easing tension 
by providing support to the inhabitants in the Delta. 
The Ambassador said that it appeared that the NDDC has 
made little progress. Gaius-Obaseki then admitted that 
the NNDC has not been as visible as it should have 
been, and it should have engaged more with local 
communities.  The Ambassador asked Gaius-Obaseki what 
he thought about the recent battle between the 
National Assembly and President over the oil dichotomy 
bill. He responded that he was not a politician and 
was staying away from the battle. 
 
 
-------------- 
OPEC Oil Quota 
-------------- 
 
 
8. Gaius-Obeseki reported that Nigeria's crude oil 
production was almost at Nigeria's OPEC quota of 
around 2.1 million barrels a day.  The Ambassador 
asked whether Nigeria was looking for a change in the 
OPEC formula for calculating its member-states' 
quotas. Gaius-Obaseki responded obliquely by saying 
that Nigeria's quota remained small, given its 
population and production capacity.  He then suggested 
that all questions about Nigeria's quota be put to the 
Presidential Advisor on Petroleum and Energy Affairs, 
Rilwanu Lukman. 
 
 
------------------ 
NNPC fire in Lagos 
------------------ 
 
 
9.  The Ambassador said that he was saddened to learn 
about the fire that razed one of the NNPC's main 
buildings in Lagos in late December, and stated that 
we were very grateful that no one was hurt. He asked 
if the fire had affected NNPC operations. Gaius- 
Obaseki replied that NNPC workers were relocated to 
other offices and that overall operations were 
unaffected. Gaius-Obaseki ruled out arson, saying the 
fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. 
JETER