In a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s energy sector, the NNPC Ltd/TotalEnergies Joint Venture announced on February 15, 2024, that it has successfully achieved zero routine gas flare across all its operational assets. This significant milestone contributes directly to Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Accord, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% unconditionally and 47% conditionally.
The announcement was made following an inspection tour of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 100 in the South-eastern Niger Delta, near Port Harcourt. This inspection was part of a review process for the OML Flare Reduction Project, which was launched in December 2023. The joint venture, which holds concessions for four leases, had previously achieved zero routine flaring in OML 99 in 2006, OML 102 in 2014, and OML 58 in 2016. With the recent success in OML 100, the joint venture has now eliminated routine gas flaring across all its assets.
This achievement has led to the elimination of the last known routine flare volume of approximately 12 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of gas, resulting in a reduction of about 341 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent per year (KtCOâ‚‚e/yr) in greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant step towards mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and advancing Nigeria’s sustainability goals.
The zero routine gas flare milestone is part of a broader initiative by NNPC Ltd to galvanize action towards achieving the zero routine flare target by 2030 across its portfolio of assets. This initiative aligns with NNPC Ltd’s commitment to sustainability and is a key component of its 5R Strategy, which focuses on Reduce, Replace, Renew, Re-plant, and Repurpose, aiming to minimize its carbon footprint in the energy sector.
NNPC Ltd and TotalEnergies’ joint effort to achieve this goal demonstrates a significant commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. It also highlights the potential for the energy sector to lead in the transition towards cleaner energy sources and practices. The joint venture’s success in eliminating routine gas flaring is expected to serve as a model for other energy companies both within Nigeria and globally, encouraging similar initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
Work is ongoing across all other assets within NNPC Ltd’s Upstream Directorate to ensure that all assets achieve zero routine flaring by the set target of 2030 or earlier. This ongoing effort underscores the company’s dedication to environmental sustainability and its role in supporting Nigeria’s energy transition.
Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer for NNPC Ltd, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “This milestone is not only a testament to our commitment to reducing our environmental impact but also aligns with global efforts to combat climate change. We are dedicated to continuing our work towards sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
The NNPC Ltd/TotalEnergies Joint Venture’s achievement in achieving zero routine gas flare is a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable energy production and environmental conservation. It marks a significant contribution to the global fight against climate change and sets a precedent for responsible environmental management in the energy sector.
