FG Commits 5 Billion Cubic Feet: Boosts Gas Supply for Domestic and Export Markets

At the recent West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Authority Committee of Ministers (COM) meeting in Cotonou, Benin Republic, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced the Nigerian government’s commitment to supplying 5 billion cubic feet of gas per day to domestic and export markets. This pledge is part of the Decade of Gas Initiative, which aims to develop and commercialize over 5 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of gas for both domestic and export purposes.

In his address, Ekpo assured member countries such as Benin, Togo, and Ghana that they would continue to receive consistent gas supply from Nigeria to meet their domestic energy needs. He specifically highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Nigerian Gas Expansion Program (NGEP) and the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, signaling a strategic shift from an oil-based to a gas-based economy.

Addressing the challenges within the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), Ekpo expressed the government’s dedication to supporting N-Gas Limited and other participants along the value chain. He emphasized their commitment to commercializing Eastern gas resources and detailed ongoing projects by the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to resolve ELPS pressure issues.

The NGIC projects include linking gas resources from the eastern region with demand regions in the western and northern parts of Nigeria. Additionally, midline compressors are being installed to comprehensively address pressure challenges in the system. This reflects the government’s dedication to ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of gas to the WAGP.

Ekpo also shed light on the government’s broader focus on gas as a primary fuel source, citing initiatives such as the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) program and the Nigerian Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP). These initiatives aim to maximize the country’s abundant natural gas resources and promote the transition from liquid fuels to gas across various sectors.

In response to the escalating prices of cooking gas, Ekpo convened a meeting involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), the National Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Chevron. With the Christmas holidays approaching, he emphasized the urgency of finding solutions to alleviate cost pressures and prevent hardship for Nigerians.

Ekpo specifically highlighted the need for Chevron to enhance local LPG production during the festive season, expressing President Tinubu’s appreciation for the company’s efforts in this regard. This underscores the government’s proactive approach to addressing challenges and ensuring energy stability, not only domestically but also within the West African sub-region through collaborative efforts such as those within the WAGP framework.