After decades of lying idle, Nigeria's Ima gas field is finally set for development. The Final Investment Decision (FID) by AMNI International and TotalEnergies marks a significant milestone in unlocking the country's vast natural gas wealth. The project, valued at $1.1 billion, aims to deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas daily from 2028, strengthening domestic gas supply and supporting industrialisation.
The Ima field, located in shallow waters near Bonny Island, straddles Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 112 and 117. Under the development arrangement, TotalEnergies will operate the project with a 40 per cent stake, while AMNI International holds majority ownership with 60 per cent. The field contains independently confirmed gross reserves of about 1.28 trillion cubic feet of non-associated gas.
The project's significance extends beyond production volumes, as it tests whether Nigeria's recent policy reforms can convert long-idle gas discoveries into commercially viable developments. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the investment as proof that President Bola Tinubu's reforms are restoring investor confidence.
The Ima project is expected to supply roughly one-third of the feed gas required by Nigeria LNG's Train 7 expansion, increasing the Bonny liquefaction plant's capacity from 22 million tonnes annually to 30 million tonnes. The project has been designed with a lower-emissions profile, utilising a single production platform connected by a 22-kilometre pipeline to NLNG.
The development of Ima Gas Project also places considerable emphasis on Nigerian content, with key contractors expected to be local companies. Approximately 60 per cent of the project's workforce during development is projected to come from host communities, creating opportunities for local businesses throughout construction.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has described the Ima FID as a landmark development that affirms the growing viability of Nigeria's upstream gas sector. The project represents the fourth major gas project to reach FID under the current administration, suggesting that approvals are translating into tangible investment decisions.
The project's success could have wider economic implications, supporting power generation, fertiliser manufacturing, petrochemicals, and industrial clusters that rely on reliable gas feedstock. With the global energy market shifting, Nigeria could capitalise on its gas resources to become a major player in the LNG market.
Key points
- The Ima gas project is valued at $1.1 billion and aims to deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas daily from 2028.
- The project is expected to supply roughly one-third of the feed gas required by Nigeria LNG's Train 7 expansion.
- The development of Ima Gas Project places considerable emphasis on Nigerian content, with key contractors expected to be local companies.
