Minister Ekpo Urges Gas Producers to Boost Output by 1 BCF Annually
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called on Nigeria’s leading gas-producing companies to ramp up production by at least one billion standard cubic feet (BCF) per year from 2025 through 2030. This push aims to support the country’s energy goals and put an end to routine gas flaring.
Addressing upstream gas sector stakeholders at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Monday, Ekpo emphasized the urgency of scaling up operations to meet the Federal Government’s target of reaching 12 BCF of gas production per day by 2030—up from the current 7.3 BCF per day.
“We must increase natural gas production by at least 1 BCF annually through 2030,” said Ekpo, according to a statement from his spokesperson, Louis Ibah. “To do this, we need to step up drilling across all terrains—land, swamp, and offshore—and prioritize completing critical gas processing and evacuation infrastructure.”
Ekpo also highlighted the recent wave of divestments by major oil firms as an opportunity to unlock more production, both in Associated Gas (AG) and Non-Associated Gas (NAG). He called for a strategic approach that accelerates project timelines, upgrades existing facilities, and applies modern extraction and processing technologies.
The Minister underscored the importance of collaboration with international partners and technical experts, particularly in delivering key infrastructure projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and OB-3 gas pipelines. These projects are vital to connecting Nigeria’s gas reserves with industrial and domestic consumers and achieving the nation’s vision of becoming a regional gas hub.
Commending the NNPC/TotalEnergies joint venture for halting routine gas flaring, Ekpo urged other operators to follow suit and transform flared gas into economic value, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
He also stressed the need for faster project delivery, better funding mechanisms, and public-private partnerships to overcome challenges in finance and technology.
Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), assured investors of a supportive regulatory environment. He revealed that dedicated gas assets will be featured in upcoming bid rounds to attract further investment.
Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination—represented by Esege Esege—reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to maximizing the gas sector’s potential to drive national growth.
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Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President for Gas, Power, and New Energy at NNPC Limited, confirmed that collaboration across the gas value chain is already ensuring a steady supply of gas to domestic users. He added that steps are being taken to make gas more affordable.
Providing updates on key infrastructure projects, Ogunleye reported that the OB-3 pipeline is 97% complete, while the AKK pipeline stands at 78%, with both projects on track for timely completion.
The high-level meeting included MDs and CEOs of major industry players such as Shell, Seplat Energy, Renaissance Energy, TotalEnergies, NAE/AENR, and Esso Exploration. It concluded with a collective commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s full natural gas potential in support of national development.
