Nigeria is poised for a significant increase in its gas production, with output expected to rise from 7.5 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day to approximately 12 bcf per day. This was revealed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, during a recent event in Lagos.
Ekpo emphasized that his primary goal for the upcoming year is to enhance gas production and advance Nigeria’s transformation into a gas economy, in alignment with the government’s Decade of Gas initiative. He stated, “In the Decade of Gas, we are looking at turning Nigeria into a gas economy by 2030, aiming to increase production from 7.5 billion cubic feet to about 12 bcf. We are making strides in this direction to ensure gas sufficiency in the country.”
Since the Federal Government’s adoption of gas as a transition fuel, there have been ongoing concerns regarding the sustainability of Nigeria’s gas production. However, Ekpo expressed confidence in the country’s ability to meet production goals, citing the shift of some international oil companies (IOCs) from shallow to deep water, where larger gas deposits are located.
“The sustainability plan is focused on producing more gas from our resources,” Ekpo assured. “With the commitment of President Bola Tinubu, we have strong assurance that we will achieve sufficient gas production to meet our objectives.”
According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria’s reserves of associated and non-associated gas total 209.26 trillion cubic feet. Despite these promising figures, the cost of cooking gas has recently surged, with prices now around N1,300 per kilogram, up from less than N1,000 in June. This increase has sparked concerns among Nigerians about the affordability of this essential commodity.
The government’s drive to boost gas production aims to address both the country’s energy needs and the rising costs, ensuring that Nigeria can maintain its position as a key player in the global gas market while supporting domestic consumption.
