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Gas Flaring Drops 13.6% to 260.3b SCF Valued at N362.9bn in 2022

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Gas Flaring

By Adedapo Adesanya

The volume of gas flared by oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria in 2022 dipped by 13.6 per cent to 224.9 billion standard cubic feet (SCF) compared with 260.3 billion SCF of gas flared in the 12-month period of 2021, according to statistics released by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

NOSDRA, in its latest gas flare statistics, disclosed that this translated to a loss of $787.2 million, an equivalent of N362.931 billion, in the 12-month period of 2022 compared with $911.0 million (N420.007 billion) recorded in 2021.

The environmental protection agency further stated that the offending oil firms were also expected to pay penalties of $449.8 million, about N207.376 billion, to the coffers of the federal government in 2022 compared with penalties of $520.6 million (N240.017 billion) expected to be paid in 2021.

NOSDRA also stated that the volume of gas flared in 2022 was equivalent to carbon dioxide emissions of 11.9 million tonnes, in contrast to 13.8 million tonnes in 2021, while the gas flared in 2022 was capable of generating 22,500 gigawatts hour of electricity (GWh) versus 26,000 GWh in 2021.

Giving a breakdown of the total gas flared in the year 2022, the agency reported that companies, whose operating areas are onshore, flared 113.2 billion SCF of gas, valued at $396.3 million, about N182.71 billion.

It added that the onshore gas flare volume translated to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 6.0 million tonnes and was capable of generating 11,300 GWh of electricity, while the companies were expected to pay penalties of $226.5 million (N104.425 billion).

Specifically, the oil spill agency stated that in January, February, March, April, May and June 2022, 19.143 billion SCF, 14.044 billion SCF, 10.488 billion SCF, 6.633 billion SCF, 8.715 billion SCF and 4.875 billion SCF of gas were flared respectively; while 5.676 billion SCF, 5.381 billion SCF, 3.342 billion SCF, 6.847 billion SCF and 13.039 billion SCF of gas were flared in July, August, September, October, November and December.

Conversely, the report stated that companies operating in oil fields offshore Nigeria cost the country a loss of $390.9 million (N180.22 billion), as they flared 111.7 billion SCF of gas; an equivalent of 5.9 million tonnes of CO2; with electricity generating potential of 11,200 GWh; and were liable for penalties of $223.4 million, an equivalent of N102.996 billion.

Particularly, 10.844 billion SCF, 13.088 billion SCF, 6.003 billion SCF, 14.85 billion SCF, 12.582 billion SCF and 4.812 billion SCF of gas were flared in January, February, March, April, May and June 2022, while in July, August, September, October, November and December, 3.729 billion SCF, 6.295 billion SCF, 7.29 billion SCF, 7.587 billion SCF, 10.323 billion SCF and 14.279 billion SCF of gas were flared respectively.

Furthermore, NOSDRA disclosed that in the onshore oil space alone, Shell Nigeria flared 58.5 billion SCF of gas, valued at $204.8 million (N94.42 billion), and was liable to penalties payment of $117 million (N53.94 billion).

The flares were recorded from Shell Nigeria’s Oil Mining Leases (OML) 05, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 35, 39, 40, 43 and 46, among others; while offshore, Shell flared 5.8 billion SCF of gas from OML 79 and Oil Prospecting License 212.

In addition, gas flares were recorded at Chevron Nigeria’s OML 49, 90 and 95; Mobil Producing Nigeria’s OML 67, 70, and 104, Addax’s OPL 98, 118 and 225; Nigerian Agip Oil’s OPL 316 and OML 61; Elf Petroleum Nigeria’s OML 56; and Esso E&P’s OPL 209, among others.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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NCSP Strengthens Strategic Investment Cooperation With China

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trade relations between Nigeria and China

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Newryton International Industrial Development Company Limited, a leading Chinese investment and industrial development consortium, to advance discussions on deepening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, and development financing between both countries.

The Newryton delegation, led by Mr David Chen, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Hainan Investment Council, had earlier engaged with the Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). They were accompanied to the NCSP by Mr Joe Onyuike, Vice-Chairman of NACCIMA’s Agriculture and Livestock Trade Group, who conveyed NACCIMA’s support for the delegation’s engagements.

Discussions centered on the establishment of a Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform, including a proposed Promotion Centre in China to support Nigerian products, investors, and state governments.

The consortium also presented opportunities within Hainan Province’s Free Trade Port (FTP), which offers preferential policies that Nigerian businesses can leverage to expand exports and attract new investments.

In his address on behalf of Newryton, Mr Pong outlined plans to collaborate with NCSP in accessing FOCAC-supported financing for strategic investments in agriculture, energy, mining, solid minerals processing, and related sectors. The delegation identified aquaculture as a key area of interest and referenced the forthcoming Global Aquaculture Conference in Hainan Province, encouraging Nigerian stakeholders to participate.

They also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in vocational training and employment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General, Martins Olajide, NCSP’s Head of Internal Operations, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.

He highlighted NCSP’s strong interest in the proposed Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform and the development of the Nigerian Oil Palm Industrial Park as a flagship demonstration project.

Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Judy Melifonwu, NCSP’s Head of International Relations, underscored the opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff policy and the forthcoming NAQS–GACC protocol on the export of Nigerian aquaculture products. She noted that these frameworks would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging global markets.

Both parties expressed commitment to advancing discussions toward a structured cooperation framework covering all priority areas.

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UKNIAF Marks Six Years Infrastructure Support to Nigeria

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UKNIAF

By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Kingdom–Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), established in 2019 as part of a 16-year legacy of UK-funded infrastructure support to Nigeria, convened over 100 senior stakeholders on Tuesday, December 2, to review its progress and formally close out its current phase of operations.

The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, development finance institutions, and the private sector to reflect on UKNIAF’s work across the power, infrastructure finance, and roads sectors. Discussions focused on institutional reforms, capacity development, and the sustainability of tools and processes introduced over the past six years.

Since inception, UKNIAF has delivered targeted technical assistance designed to embed evidence-based reforms, data-driven decision-making, and improved institutional performance. Its interventions have mobilised significant financing, strengthened regulatory and planning systems, and enhanced investor readiness across multiple infrastructure markets.

In the power sector, participants highlighted landmark achievements including the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a least-cost and low-carbon pathway for expanding electricity supply. UKNIAF also supported the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in building advanced real-time data capabilities for tariff monitoring, grid management, and outage tracking. The programme enabled pioneering states to establish their own electricity markets following constitutional reforms.

In infrastructure finance, UKNIAF was recognised for strengthening project preparation systems and enabling access to capital. Notable accomplishments include supporting the mobilisation of $75 million from the African Development Bank to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in two states, and accelerating mini-grid and solar deployment through improved technical standards at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

UKNIAF also designed a national project preparation facility, for which N21 billion was allocated in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets to build a pipeline of bankable projects.

Speaking on this, Mr Frank Edozie, UKNIAF Team Lead, described the programme’s close-out as a “handover for sustained delivery,” emphasising that strengthened institutions now hold tools that make Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape more transparent, climate-smart, and investor-ready.

On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, commended the programme, noting that its technical assistance and advisory services had helped lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive electricity supply industry.

Mrs Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Corporation at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, praised the partnership, highlighting achievements ranging from state-level electricity market reforms to unlocking major financing and designing Nigeria’s Climate Change Fund.

Enugu State Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the lasting influence of the programme, stating that UKNIAF’s impact continues through the expertise and leadership transferred to national and sub-national institutions.

The close-out event reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to sustaining tools, reforms, and knowledge products developed under UKNIAF, while strengthening collaboration among public, private, and development actors in the infrastructure ecosystem.

Participants included federal and state agencies such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, REA, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, alongside development partners including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders.

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Dangote Refinery Reduces PMS Pump Price to N699 Per Litre

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PMS pump price

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has been slashed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The Lagos-based oil facility brought down the ex-depot price of the petroleum product by 15.58 per cent or N129 per litre to N828 per litre.

Though the company had yet to release an official statement on this development, real-time market data on Petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the new price.

Punch reports that data from the platform also showed fresh reductions across several private depots following the refinery’s latest review.

Sigmund Depot cut its ex-depot price by N4 to N824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped its price by N3, and TechnoOil slashed its by N15.

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