National Petroleum Company, Heirs Energies Boost Gas Commercialisation, Prepare Major Expansion

The NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture has taken bold steps to invigorate Nigeria’s gas commercialisation drive by signing in five key gas offtakers that will turn flared gas into economic use.

The partners in Lagos on Tuesday endorsed a symbolic Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreement under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) and approved Non-NGFCP frameworks.

The ceremony marks a significant transition from regulatory approvals to structured commercial execution, enabling the capture and deployment of flare gas volumes across OML 17 for productive use, including power generation, industrial applications, LPG, and CNG, in alignment with Nigeria’s gas development priorities and energy transition objectives.

The agreements bring together Heirs Energies, as operator of the OML 17 Joint Venture, and approved flare gas off-takers – AUT Gas, Twems Energies, Gas & Power Infrastructure Development Limited (GPID), PCCD and Africa Gas & Transport Company Limited (AGTC) – under frameworks designed to eliminate routine flaring while converting previously wasted resources into economic value.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NUIMS, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, representing NNPC Limited, described the milestone as a practical demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to gas-based development.

“For us at NNPC Limited and NUIMS, flare gas commercialisation is not a compliance exercise; it is a strategic pathway to improving energy availability, deepening gas-based industrialisation and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a responsible energy producer. OML 17 has become a practical model of this vision, moving decisively from approval to delivery.”

He commended Heirs Energies for disciplined execution and investment, noting that the JV continues to set benchmarks for operational delivery and gas development within Nigeria’s upstream sector.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), represented at the event by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, FNSE, reaffirmed the Commission’s support for the project, describing the commercialisation of flare gas as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s decarbonisation pathway under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

“This ceremony demonstrates Heirs Energies’ commitment to eliminating routine gas flaring across OML 17 and aligns fully with the Commission’s Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and national energy and emission-reduction objectives,” the NUPRC representative said.

Heirs Energies’ chief executive officer, Osa Igiehon, noted that the agreements reflect the company’s broader gas-led strategy and brownfield excellence approach, focused on creating long-term value for Nigeria.

“Gas sits at the heart of Nigeria’s development journey. Through disciplined investment, partnership with regulators and credible offtakers, and a clear execution focus, we are converting waste into value, strengthening domestic energy supply and supporting responsible operations across OML 17,” he said.

The NGFCP and Non-NGFCP flare gas projects build on recent operational progress by the OML 17 Joint Venture, including a significant increase in gas delivery to the domestic market through brownfield interventions and infrastructure optimisation. The JV has also continued to deepen its host-community partnerships through targeted healthcare interventions, education support and skills-development programmes across its areas of operation.

With the symbolic signing completed, the flare gas offtakers are expected to progress into full project implementation, working closely with the JV, regulators and communities to deliver commercial, environmental and social outcomes.

The OML 17 NGFCP initiative reinforces Nigeria’s position as a gas-led economy, supporting domestic power generation, industrial growth, and responsible resource development, while advancing the country’s energy transition objectives.