The Federal Government of Nigeria has stepped up efforts to unlock new international markets for its vast gas reserves. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, during a high-level engagement with global energy companies, investors, and governments. The focus was on expanding Nigeria's gas production, infrastructure, domestic utilization, and export markets.
Ekpo's discussions with Libya's Minister of Oil and Gas, Dr. Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, led to a renewed push for the Nigeria-Libya pipeline. The proposed framework involves exploring a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and establishing a joint technical team to assess the project's feasibility, financing, infrastructure requirements, security considerations, and commercial viability. NNPC Limited is expected to spearhead Nigeria's participation in the bilateral initiative.
The Nigeria-Libya pipeline would provide another potential route for transporting Nigerian gas through North Africa to European markets, giving Nigeria an additional platform to monetize its gas resources beyond existing LNG channels. Ekpo emphasized the Federal Government's determination to create an investment environment capable of attracting capital, technology, and strategic partnerships required to convert Nigeria's gas reserves into economic growth, industrial development, and jobs.
Ekpo also engaged with major industry players, including Seplat Energy Plc, which is pursuing initiatives to increase its gas production to as much as two billion standard cubic feet per day. Discussions focused on major gas infrastructure projects, including Oso Floating LNG, UTM FLNG, and Ibom LNG, as well as financing partnerships and plans for an industrial park around the Qua Iboe Terminal corridor.
The proposed industrial park is expected to support the development of gas-based industries and manufacturing activities, potentially widening the domestic economic benefits of Nigeria's gas resources. Heirs Energies briefed Ekpo on its efforts to expand gas production, improve asset performance, and support the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme through the provision of flare sites for commercial development.
Ekpo also pressed for progress on the Nigeria LNG Train 7 Project during a meeting with the Country Chairman of Daewoo E&C Nigeria, Chief Joseph Penawou. The discussions covered contractor payments, project timelines, safety performance, and quality assurance, with the minister stressing the importance of delivering the project on schedule to strengthen Nigeria's position in the global LNG market.
Beyond Europe, Nigeria is seeking to widen its customer base in Asia, with Bangladesh expressing interest in sourcing Nigerian LNG and crude oil. Nigeria also held talks with the United States on deepening bilateral cooperation in gas investment, technology deployment, and energy security, and explored deeper gas-sector cooperation with Russia, including a proposal for an annual Gas Investment Forum.
Key points
- Nigeria and Libya are set to explore a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assess the feasibility of the proposed Nigeria-Libya gas pipeline.
- The Federal Government aims to create an investment environment capable of attracting capital, technology, and strategic partnerships to convert Nigeria's gas reserves into economic growth.
- Nigeria is seeking to widen its customer base in Asia, with Bangladesh expressing interest in sourcing Nigerian LNG and crude oil.
