KEY POINTS
- NUPRC has reaffirmed its target to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030.
- Nigeria has reduced routine gas flaring from over 80% to about 7% in the last 35 years.
- The regulator aims to cut methane emissions by 60% by 2035 through stricter emissions monitoring and reporting.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has reaffirmed its commitment to ending routine gas flaring by 2030 and reducing methane emissions by 60 per cent by 2035 as part of activities marking World Environment Day 2026.
In a statement shared on its official X platform, the commission said the targets reflect Nigeria’s determination to strengthen environmental sustainability in its oil and gas industry while meeting global climate obligations.
According to the commission, Nigeria has made considerable progress in reducing routine gas flaring over the past three and a half decades. It noted that flaring levels have dropped from more than 80 per cent of produced gas to approximately seven per cent today.
The NUPRC described the achievement as a major milestone in the country’s transition toward cleaner and more environmentally responsible crude oil production practices.
The reduction, it said, demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing efforts by regulators and industry operators to minimise waste and reduce harmful emissions.
New Measures to Strengthen Emissions Monitoring
To further improve environmental compliance, the commission disclosed that it had earlier introduced a directive requiring upstream oil and gas operators to adopt credible Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems for methane and greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative is designed to ensure that emissions data are accurately tracked, reported and verified, enabling regulators to monitor compliance and measure progress toward national environmental targets.
The NUPRC stated that the directive aligns with Nigeria’s commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement. It also supports the implementation of recently issued guidelines for methane and greenhouse gas management within the upstream petroleum sector.
The regulator stressed that the measures are essential to achieving the country’s long-term climate objectives while maintaining stable oil and gas production.
By reiterating its gas flaring and methane reduction targets on World Environment Day, the commission underscored its commitment to ensuring compliance across the industry and tracking progress toward the set goals.
The NUPRC said it will continue to work with industry stakeholders to drive environmental responsibility, reduce emissions, and support Nigeria’s efforts to balance energy production with sustainable development and international climate commitments.
