Nigeria’s gas production to hit 1,780bcf this year
By Fredric Wright
Latest report by Africa Energy Chamber (AEC) has revealed that Nigeria’s gas production level would hit 1,780 billion cubic feet (bcf) in 2022, up from 1,450 bcf last year.
According to the report, Nigeria has over 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves; the biggest in Africa, and an increased production will help the nation become a major player in gas supply to European countries.
Given an outlook of the gas situation in Nigeria, the report stated that the existing production projects and the projects currently under development are expected to ensure a resilient supply through 2025.
The Minister of State of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva last week told a delegation of the European Union that visited him that Nigeria can serve as alternative gas supplier to Europe but that there is need for more investment in the sector.
According to the minister this can only happen if the European Union EU steps up investments in gas and hydrocarbon exploration in Nigeria. But so doing she would be able to meet the blocs energy needs.
Russia currently supplies EU countries between30-40 percent of the blocs needs.
“With Nigeria’s gas portfolio, she has an advantage for Europe to look up to the West African country as a potential supplier,” the report stated.
The report also indicated that the multi-billion 4,128km Trans-Saharan Natural Gas Pipeline being built by the governments of Nigeria, Niger and Algeria will enable the integration of Trans-Mediterranean, Maghreb-Europe, Medgaz, and Galsi Pipelines for Europe to leverage west and north Africa’s oil and gas resources to meet demand.
The AEC outlook also indicated that once completed, the pipeline will transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, and Nigeria, as a leading producer in Africa, can produce a significant share of that capacity.
According to the outlook, once completed, the pipeline will transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year,
Nigeria’s current natural gas producing fields are expected to see a steep decline as we approach the mid-2020s, a worrying situation that can reduce the country’s production capacity, according to the report and Nigeria, as a leading producer in Africa, can produce a significant share of that capacity.
The Chief Executive Officer of energy market research firm, Frost & Sullivan, Hendrick Malan, said, “Nigeria is rich in oil and gas resources but still does not have adequate infrastructure such as a functioning refinery.
Malan added, “In order to utilize its oil and gas resources effectively, Nigeria needs to build more infrastructures locally to process its energy.
“To be able to build the infrastructure needed, there is a need for direct involvement from a combination of the private and public sector partners,” he said.
