Reply To: The UN shoot on civilians in the east of the DRC

[Congo]

The new scares everyone: Kivu as a whole is endangered! But contrary to what one might think, it would not come to our warlike neighbors, even those who are orchestrating insecurity for over two decades and who are planning large-scale massacres through militias they arm and finance.

The disappearance of the Kivu will not lead to the annexation of our territories by its neighbors. Simply because there will be more nothing to take. Apart from some minerals buried underground and
that could withstand the power of fire, everything else, the population understood desperately seek refuge in the beyond.
At the base of this apocalyptic situation everyone dreads, there methane gas sleeping so abundant into the
Lake Kivu. Estimated at 65 billion standard cubic meters, or 50 million tonnes of oil equivalent and 300 billion normal meters of carbon dioxide, methane regenerates each year rate of 250 million standard meters with about half rest trapped in the lake.
To prevent the risk of implosion, it is essential to exploit this gas. This is what Rwanda is already with the setting route a central production of electrical energy. Side Congo, inaction is always required while the presence of Gas represents enormous opportunities for development, industrialization and job creation in the country.
But instead of directing investments towards this sector, Curiously attends the promotion of production of micro-projects electricity that do not allow the country to see more and
make double hit: Electrifying all the east to avoid the disappearance of our forests, and to the population from a possible implosion in the region that would specifically methane gas housed in the lake
Kivu.
To enlighten its readers on this important issue, the Lighthouse met a specialist Frédéric Futu, former Officer
leader of methane gas from Lake Kivu Project and former Director General of the state company SOCIGAZ. M.Futu participated from 1983 to 1998 virtually all meetings of the Joint Technical Commission on
methane gas from Lake Kivu (CTMZR) and he agreed to answer our Questions centered around the failure of the Congolese in this record; the prerequisites for the operation of gas; the benefits the country can draw for its development; and Finally, the risks to the environment and population in case
operating. Below, the answers of the expert:

Freddy Futu: As you know, the methane gas deposit Lake Kivu is located on the border between the R.D.C and Rwanda. The mineable reserves of methane are estimated at 65 billion normal cubic meters (Nm3) or 50 million equivalent tonnes oil (toe) and 300 billion Nm3 of carbon dioxide. The methane regenerates each year at a rate of 250 million Nm3 about half of which remains trapped in the lake. Configuring this deposit was unique in the world. Other deposits known methane consist of thermal degradation of the crude oil
(Natural cracking).
The development of methane gas from Lake Kivu has always been among the priorities of the development policy R.D.C. (Eastern Canada) and Rwanda, for its potential benefits that involving several economic sectors would be particularly beneficial for the development of not only the R.D.C. and the Rwanda, but also the countries of the subregion.
Because methane can be used not only as a source energy, but also as raw material for industry chemical. It should however be noted that the war situation which raged in the East for twenty years certainly affected
negatively on the development of methane gas side project Congo while Rwanda has the opportunity to progress in the implementation of the deposit; This has widened further the gap that existed between Rwanda and the R.D.C. in the operation of methane.
Before addressing your questions, I would like you to note, hereinafter, the peculiarity of the deposit of the Lake Kivu methane gas; feature that complicates its operation: – Due to the specific conditions of pressure and temperature, Methane gas is dissolved in the depths of Lake Kivu (in From 250 meters deep). Besides methane, Lake Kivu also full of carbon dioxide in a ratio of 1/5. The search of the method for separating the two gases under pressure, is a prerequisite to exploit the hydrocarbon. That the Rwanda apparently just developed.
– PH (acidity) of Lake Kivu is basic surface and acid depth (difficulty in the choice of materials).
– The size of the deposit (65 billion Nm3), relatively low on Globally, and the isolation of eastern R.D.C. (Obligation payment of tolls on exports) excludes export gas methane in the raw state.
As for the question raised concerning the exploitation of gas methane from Lake Kivu by R.D.C., it should be noted that unlike in Rwanda who was always interested in the exploitation this hydrocarbon, including by setting up a structure responsible for the promotion and exploitation of methane gas from Lake
Kivu “UPEGAZ” the Congolese party has almost never interested in this wealth. Admittedly, some actions were taken since late 2013 for the development of the Congolese side gas.
Shares remained without concrete action to date, while the R.D.C. has a larger outlet for methane gas. In fact, besides the that the North and South Kivu are currently experiencing a deficit energy, methane gas can be used in automotive propulsion or in the production of nitrogen fertilizers.
I believe that the rapid and harmonious operation of gas methane from Lake Kivu in the Congo, through better involvement the COHYDRO should invest more in development
the deposit, so as to:
– Identifying projects to be implemented in the short, medium and long term;
– Negotiate partnerships with potential investors and ensure and technology transfer. To do this, the Government Congolese should allow COHYDRO of “bet” methane gas negotiations with partners in the creation of joint ventures.
– To optimize operations and ensure maximize producing methane by concession.
– Ensure the promotion of the deposit, without creating a new structure which would require operating costs.
In other words, we should consider setting up a structure Autonomous responsible for the development of this gas, like in Rwanda (What about its funding).
Today, apart from the technical aspects, in particular the development of gas extraction methods, there is no reason to industrial exploitation of this wealth. Indeed, both countries (Rwanda and R.D.C.) signed May 3, 1975 Bukavu Convention establishing a condominium of two states on this resource. The 15th April 1998, Rwanda and R.D.C. signed in Kigali Texts Regulations that set the financial terms of operating
methane. This document allows each country co-owner of the deposit produce on its ‘soil’ methane, upon payment of the Condo fee. In other words, the owner country the deposit which operates an industrial scale, methane gas needs pay to the other a tax, called condominium fee, set at
0.007 DTS / NM3.
Furthermore, in order to mitigate or reduce the delay by the Congo in the exploitation of methane gas from Lake Kivu, it is for the
R.D.C .:
– To make every effort to revive and enjoy the SOCIGAZ methane extraction process developed by Rwanda, the through of SOCIGAZ in accordance with the texts which govern it.
– To negotiate with Rwanda, including reliance on agreements earlier (see the different resolutions of CTMZR), to bring the Rwanda to make available the famous process, so launch operation of this hydrocarbon in the Congolese side as fast as we can.
The two countries have every reason to exploit quickly and widely this deposit. In fact, avoid the accumulation of gas dissolved (especially carbon dioxide) reaches the threshold saturation, the risk of experiencing an implosion of Lake Kivu, which cause the death of over THREE MILLION souls.
As for me, I remain available on the one hand, for any information complementary and secondly, to bring my contribution the development of this wealth in all its aspects.