Latest Embassy News
Remarks of Ambassador Janet E. Garvey
On the Signing of the “Pipeline” and “Gas to Market” Grant Agreements between the Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, and the Government of the U.S., through the USTDA and the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, Janet Garvey
September 14, 2009
His Excellency, the Minister for Energy and Water Resources, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honor and a pleasure to sign two important agreements that demonstrate the U.S. government’s continued support for Cameroon’s energy sector development. Less than two months ago, I stood before you to witness the launch of the feasibility study by Delphos International for the Bini a Warak hydropower project. The agreements today provide funding, at $615,000.00 each, for two studies to begin the development of important infrastructure to support Cameroon’s natural gas industry.
Cameroon is blessed with abundant natural gas reserves. I’m told it has more gas than Equatorial Guinea. Yet in discussions I have had with the natural gas industry, they say there is limited infrastructure to support gas production. In other words, once the gas comes out of the ground offshore, it is difficult to deliver the gas to market.
One of the agreements signed today would fund a study to develop a “gas-to-markets” system that would gather gas from various points offshore and move it to a processing plant onshore for processing and distribution to market. The second agreement funds a study of a petroleum products pipeline network to be used to deliver the products of the SONARA refinery in Limbe to bulk storage and distribution centers to be built in Douala, Limbe, Kribi and Yaounde. Eventually, the system would include branch lines to serve medium-sized urban areas and even remote regions.
I am confident that today’s agreements will lead to progress in Cameroon’s quest to develop its energy sector infrastructure and, in turn, create jobs, raise incomes, and boost standards of living. The U.S. government sees great potential in Cameroon’s energy sector and we will continue to support projects, like the two today, that help Cameroon realize its potential.
Thank you and congratulations to the government of Cameroon