NNPC Prioritises Gas Flare Recovery to Cut Emissions at COP31

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the recovery and commercialisation of gas currently wasted through flaring.

The company stated this during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, where Nigeria is presenting initiatives aimed at balancing energy development with environmental sustainability.

NNPC said capturing and utilising associated gas from oil production operations remained a major component of its decarbonisation strategy, as the company seeks to reduce routine gas flaring and methane emissions.

The initiative is expected to convert wasted natural gas into commercially useful products, including liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas and electricity, while limiting the environmental impact of petroleum operations.

As part of its emissions-reduction efforts, NNPC has also strengthened its collaboration with international energy company TotalEnergies through the deployment of advanced technology to detect, measure and reduce methane emissions across its upstream operations.

The partnership, renewed in June 2026 for another 24 months, involves the use of the Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications (AUSEA), a drone-based technology designed to identify and quantify methane and carbon emissions.

NNPC's Executive Vice-President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, said the technology would strengthen the company's ability to identify emission sources, improve monitoring and implement corrective measures.

The company said the programme aligned with its commitments under the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter and Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, including its ambition to achieve near-zero methane emissions by 2030.

Nigeria's broader gas commercialisation efforts are also being pursued through the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, which seeks to attract investors to capture and utilise gas from designated flare sites.

The programme is expected to support investment in gas-processing infrastructure, improve energy access and reduce routine flaring.

Nigeria has maintained its commitment to ending routine gas flaring by 2030, although challenges involving infrastructure, investment and regulatory enforcement remain.

The country's participation at COP31 provides an opportunity to attract climate financing and technology partnerships to accelerate emissions reduction across the oil and gas industry. NNPC +3