NNPC, TotalEnergies’ $550Million gas project takes off in Nigeria

The $550 million upstream gas project between the NNPC Ltd. and TotalEnergies on the development of the Ubeta field has taken off, the Nigerian Presidency announced.

Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, disclosed this during an inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue, hosted by the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The signing ceremony of the $550 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project took place in Abuja in June.

The Ubeta field, which was discovered in 1964, is located northwest of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking at a luncheon organised as part of the inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue, Verheijen said the upstream gas project would deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day when operational.

Verheijen added that major energy reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu since June 2023 focused on improving energy security, attracting investments, and deepening collaboration with key partners, including the US government.

She said the key reforms had improved the viability of the gas-to-power value chain of the country.

The reforms, according to her, included initiatives to improve cash flows in electricity distribution through smart metering and the payment of outstanding debts owed investors and to reduce carbon emissions from gas production.

She added that the President issued five new executive orders to support the reform efforts, aimed at providing fiscal incentives for investment and reducing the cost and time of finalising and implementing contracts to develop and expand gas infrastructure.

The presidential aide said the directives are aimed to immediately unlock up to $2.5 billion in new oil and gas investments in the country.

Responding, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, said the dialogue was apt and strategic.

“The inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue has set the stage for strengthened energy collaboration between the United States and Nigeria. Together, we’re advancing shared energy security, decarbonisation, and economic growth goals,” he said.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, led the Nigerian delegation to the event. Officials from the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, and NNPC Limited were also in attendance.

The U.S. delegation included representatives from the Bureau of African Affairs, USAID, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the Export-Import Bank.

NNPC:

NNPC is Nigeria’s state-owned oil and gas company, established in 1977 to oversee the country’s hydrocarbon resources.

Headquartered in Abuja, NNPC is responsible for exploring, producing, refining, and distributing petroleum products, as well as regulating the oil and gas industry.

With subsidiaries including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, Nigerian Gas Company, and Petroleum Products Marketing Company, NNPC plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, accounting for approximately 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Despite facing challenges such as corruption, inefficiency, and security concerns, NNPC aims to increase Nigeria’s oil production, expand its gas sector, and diversify into renewable energy sources, aligning with the country’s vision to become a leading energy provider.

TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a French multinational energy company founded in 1924, with operations spanning oil and gas exploration, production, refining, and marketing, as well as renewable energy and petrochemicals.

Headquartered in Paris, TotalEnergies is one of the world’s largest energy companies, employing over 100,000 people across 130 countries. With a diverse portfolio of assets, TotalEnergies produces approximately 3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day and operates refineries, petrochemical plants, and solar and wind farms globally.

The company has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, investing heavily in renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, and carbon capture technologies.

TotalEnergies’ global presence includes significant operations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, cementing its position as a leader in the evolving energy landscape.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook