Ubeta, IMA To Expand Gas Output, Strengthen Nigeria’s Role In Global Supply—TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies EP Nigeria has said its Ubeta and IMA gas projects will together supply about 30 per cent of Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 capacity, as the company ramps up gas output in the country.

The managing director and country chair of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, disclosed this during a panel session titled “Synchronising Gas Strategies: Strengthening Energy Security” at the 25th NOG Energy Week Conference and Exhibition, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Bouyer said Ubeta, which came onstream three years ago, currently produces about 10 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), while IMA is expected to deliver a similar volume once it starts production.

Combined, the two fields will meet roughly 30 per cent of Train 7’s capacity, he said, serving both export and domestic markets.

“And if anything, the single one word is growth. We have launched three years ago, a 10 million scufs per day project with Ubeta. We’re going to launch very soon a new project with IMA, which is another 10 million scufs per day, that’s 30 per cent of the Train 7 capacity.”

“It’s growth in gas, growth in employment, and growth in value for the country,” Bouyer said, describing the company’s strategy.

He credited government reforms for accelerating investment in Nigeria’s gas sector, particularly non-associated gas.

Speaking on Nigeria’s growing gas ambitions, Bouyer highlighted the impact of recent government reforms on investor confidence and project development.

“There has been a lot of effort by the government over the last three years on regulations and investment incentives, especially for non-associated gas,” Bouyer said. “The conditions are clearly on the right track to unlock these gas volumes. More importantly, there is a growing willingness to develop gas as an alternative energy solution, and that momentum is coming from Nigeria itself.”

According to him, the supportive policy environment has already begun to yield tangible results across the industry.

“We have seen many fruits from government efforts, which have led to major projects,” he noted. “TotalEnergies’ Ubeta Project received its Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2024, and another project is expected very soon. There is a pipeline of investments that may not have materialised without the positive atmosphere created by the authorities. The potential is clearly there.”

Addressing concerns over global gas market disruptions witnessed in recent years, Bouyer emphasised the central role gas continues to play in energy security worldwide.

“Gas is a transition energy, but beyond that, it remains essential,” he said. “If gas supplies were suddenly cut in Europe, populations would immediately feel the impact: either enduring extreme heat in summer or extreme cold in winter. We experienced similar pressure during previous supply disruptions when demand for gas increased significantly.”

Bouyer said Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the global energy landscape, particularly because of its reliability as a supplier.

“Nigeria has an important role to play. Even during recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Nigerian energy exports continued to flow uninterrupted. That consistency and reliability are valuable. This is why unlocking Nigeria’s gas resources is important not only for domestic consumption but also for export markets,” he pointed out.

His remarks were echoed by fellow panellists, who agreed that Nigeria’s gas resources will play an increasingly influential role in the global energy ecosystem as countries seek secure and diversified energy supplies.

The 25th NOG Energy Week ran under the theme “Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive & Resilient Economies,” with a focus on strategic partnerships in delivering energy and industrial value.