The Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, has reiterated the nation’s commitment to ramp up the current natural gas production level, cut the gas flaring, and meet the set gas production target of 12 billion standard cubic feet (scf) per day by 2030

The Minister emphasized the importance of increasing the nation’s gas production as a reflection of its present economic value to the sector when he met with key upstream gas producers at NNPC Towers in Abuja. Hon. Ekpo described the discussion at the meeting as a critical agenda, which centered on scaling up Nigeria’s gas production.

“As we target 12 billion standard cubic feet (scf) per day by 2030, I emphasized the urgent need to increase production by at least 1 bscf annually, up from our current 7.3 bscf/day. This goal is ambitious but attainable, “He emphasized.

 With particular references to Ajaokuta Kaduna  Kano( AKK) Gas Pipeline and  Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline Projects, the Minister mentioned timely completion of these projects and upstream companies utmost commitment to minimize routine gas flaring in their various operations as very important factors in achieving the gas production target of 12 billion standard cubic feet (scf) per day by 2030

“We must ramp up drilling operations, fast-track infrastructure projects like AKK and OB-3 pipelines, and ensure all hands are on deck to end routine gas flaring across all operations. I commend the NNPC/TotalEnergies JV for achieving zero routine flaring, and I challenge others to follow suit. Flaring is not only environmentally damaging, it’s wasted wealth,” Hon. Ekperikpe asserted.

The Minister described the current waves of divestment of upstream portfolios as a new great opportunity to unlock the abundant natural gas reserves, and he implored current operators to seek the latest innovative means and, through formidable partnerships, to harness it, as gas is the energy of the moment.

“I also noted that the recent IOCs’ divestments present new opportunities for us to harness both associated and non-associated gas. We must capitalize on this by deploying innovative technologies and forming stronger public-private partnerships. This is a defining moment for our gas sector, and with collaboration, we will deliver a cleaner, prosperous, and gas-powered Nigeria,” The Minister stated.

Ekpo has also made similar appeals to the NNPC team to pay immediate attention to the completion of these critical national gas projects nationwide. The minister made this clarion call during a courtesy visit paid to him by the new NNPC leadership led by its chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, and the group chief executive officer, Bayo Ojulari, at his office in Abuja.