The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it has approved 25 new Non-Associated Gas (NAG) Field Development Plans (FDPs) since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), attracting over $4.9 billion in capital investments and unlocking nearly 9,790 billion standard cubic feet (BSCF) of gas reserves.
According to a statement by NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, the Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, disclosed this during the 3rd Gas Investment Forum held in Lagos.
Represented by the Executive Commissioner for Development and Production, Enorense Amadasu, Komolafe said the Commission’s strategic focus remains on gas development, monetisation, and infrastructure expansion to strengthen Nigeria’s energy future and drive economic transformation.
He revealed that Nigeria’s proven gas reserves currently stand at 210.54 trillion cubic feet (TCF) — comprising 109.51 TCF of Non-Associated Gas and 101.03 TCF of Associated Gas. Of this total, about 55 TCF, representing 26 per cent, remains uncommitted to existing or planned monetisation projects, presenting significant investment opportunities for both local and international investors.
“Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s gas powerhouse has received a major boost through our regulatory reforms, which aim to unlock over 55 TCF of uncommitted gas reserves and attract billions of dollars in new investments,” Komolafe said.
The NUPRC boss noted that Nigeria’s annual average daily gas production in 2024 stood at 6.99 billion standard cubic feet (BSCF/D), with a Reserves Replacement Ratio (RRR) of 1.56 and a Reserves Life Index (RLI) of 92.7 years, reflecting long-term sustainability for investors.
He highlighted that the Commission is overseeing 19 active gas development projects, including 10 production facilities and 9 pipeline projects, with a combined capacity of 3.55 BSCF/D. About 88 per cent of these are in the engineering phase, while 12 per cent have advanced to construction and fabrication.
Komolafe added that 86 per cent of new gas production is targeted at the export market, mainly for NLNG feed gas supply, while 142 MMSCFD (23 per cent) will serve the domestic market.
He listed the Commission’s regulatory milestones, including the Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation Regulations (2022), Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations (2023), and the Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives) Order (2024), which have consolidated Nigeria’s pro-investment framework.
Komolafe further disclosed that the NUPRC is facilitating upstream gas supply agreements for key national projects such as NLNG Train 7, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Pipeline, and the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Project.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to its National Gas Policy and Energy Transition Plan, Komolafe said the Commission is eliminating investment barriers through the ‘drill or drop’ provision in the PIA and encouraging public-private collaboration to drive gas expansion.
“Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture in its energy journey—one that demands innovation, collaboration, and sustainable investment,” he concluded.
