US, Bangladesh, Others Discussed Gas Deals With Nigeria At Gastech 2026 – Ekpo

Nigeria’s push to convert its 215.19 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves into investment, industrial activity and export revenue took centre stage at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, as the minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, held high-level talks with counterparts and energy executives from Bangladesh, the United States, Senegal and Russia.

The ministry stated that the engagements, which also featured updates on domestic gas production, LNG expansion and infrastructure financing, underscored Abuja’s strategy of pairing investor-friendly reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with active gas diplomacy to open new markets and deepen strategic partnerships.

Nigeria’s search for additional energy markets gained concrete traction during talks with Bangladesh’s minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, who expressed interest in sourcing Nigerian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil, a spokesman for the minister of state, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Ibah, stated on Monday.

Both sides explored broader opportunities for mutually beneficial energy cooperation, signalling potential long-term offtake arrangements that could help diversify Nigeria’s export destinations beyond traditional European and Asian buyers.

In a separate engagement with United States deputy secretary of Energy, James Danly, discussions centred on strengthening bilateral energy cooperation across gas-sector investment, technology deployment and energy security.

The two delegations also reviewed support for clean cooking initiatives designed to improve energy access, reduce reliance on traditional fuels and advance sustainable development, aligning gas-sector growth with broader climate and development objectives.

Ekpo’s meeting with Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Dr El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, focused on cooperation across the oil and gas value chain, with Dakar expressing interest in learning from Nigeria’s experience in gas development, local content implementation and institutional capacity building.

Potential areas of collaboration include work with NNPC Limited, Nigeria LNG Limited and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), positioning Nigeria as a regional reference point for gas-sector governance and industry development.

Russia proposes  annual Gas Investment Forum

Further advancing Nigeria’s gas diplomacy, Ekpo met with Russia’s deputy minister of Energy,  Roman Marshavin, to explore deeper cooperation in the gas industry, including a proposal for an annual Gas Investment Forum that would convene policymakers, investors, developers and financiers from across the global energy sector.

The Russian delegation expressed support for mobilising financing for gas projects, particularly in developing economies facing constrained funding conditions, while both countries reaffirmed their cooperation within the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and discussed preparations for future engagements in Moscow.

Nigeria–Libya pipeline moves from concept to framework

A key outcome of the broader Gastech engagements was renewed momentum behind the proposed Nigeria–Libya Gas Pipeline, a project that could provide an additional route for transporting Nigerian gas through North Africa to European markets.

During discussions with Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Dr Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, both sides agreed to advance the initiative towards a structured project framework, including the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a joint technical team.

NNPC Limited is expected to spearhead Nigeria’s efforts under the bilateral cooperation framework, with the technical team tasked to assess the project’s feasibility, financing options, infrastructure requirements, security considerations and commercial viability, moving the proposal beyond the conceptual stage.

Domestic gas push: Seplat, Heirs Energies outline plans

On the domestic front, Seplat Energy Plc outlined plans to significantly increase gas production, with Chief Executive Officer, Mr Effiong Okon, highlighting initiatives that could raise output to as much as 2 billion standard cubic feet per day through assets across the ANOH project, western operations and offshore fields.

Discussions with Seplat also covered strategic gas infrastructure projects, including Oso Floating LNG, UTM FLNG and Ibom LNG, as well as financing partnerships and plans for an industrial park around the Qua Iboe Terminal corridor to stimulate gas-based industries, manufacturing and wider economic activity.

The Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Energies, Mr Osayande Igiehon, briefed the Minister on the company’s progress in expanding gas production, improving asset performance and supporting the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme through the provision of flare sites for commercial development.

LNG Train 7, contractor performance under review

Ekpo’s meeting with the Country Chairman of Daewoo E&C Nigeria, Chief Joseph Penawou, focused on the Nigeria LNG Train 7 Project, including contractor payments, timelines, safety performance and quality assurance.

The Minister underscored the importance of delivering the project on schedule to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global LNG market, signalling close ministerial oversight of execution risks and delivery milestones.

“Nigeria is open for business”

Speaking during the engagements, Ekpo said the reforms and investor-friendly policies of the Tinubu administration have strengthened investor confidence and enhanced Nigeria’s attractiveness as an energy investment destination.

“Nigeria is open for business. We have put in place the right fiscal policies and operating environment, and the security of investors and their investments is guaranteed,” Ekpo said, adding that NNPC Limited will drive Nigeria’s bilateral energy partnerships, translating government engagements into commercially viable projects, strategic investments and sustainable development.

The Gastech 2026 meetings, spanning export market diversification, pipeline diplomacy, LNG expansion and domestic gas utilisation, reflect Abuja’s dual track of courting foreign capital and technology while pushing for greater value addition at home through industrial parks, flare commercialisation and expanded production.

SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS PAPER

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