NNPC/Heirs energies, partners sign gas flare commercialisation for OML 17
The NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture yesterday advanced Nigeria’s gas commercialisation and environmental stewardship agenda with the signing of Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreements under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) and approved Non-NGFCP frameworks. Under the programme, the partners aimed to eliminate 18m standard cubic foot (scf) of flared gas and reduce the […]
The NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture yesterday advanced Nigeria’s gas commercialisation and environmental stewardship agenda with the signing of Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreements under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) and approved Non-NGFCP frameworks.
Under the programme, the partners aimed to eliminate 18m standard cubic foot (scf) of flared gas and reduce the impact of gas flaring.
The ceremony marks a significant transition from regulatory approvals to structured commercial execution, enabling flare gas volumes across OML 17 to be captured and deployed for productive use, including power generation, industrial applications, LPG and CNG, in alignment with Nigeria’s gas development priorities and energy-transition objectives.
At the agreement signing were Heirs Energies, as operator of the OML 17 Joint Venture, and approved flare gas offtakers – 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.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NUIMS, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, who represented NNPC Limited, described the milestone as a practical demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to gas-based development.
He stated that the project is part of the national commitment to significantly reduce seven per cent of the flared gas.
“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 Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe represented Mr. Ojo Olalekan Ezekiel, Senior Manager, NUPRC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the implementation of flare gas commercialisation projects and ensuring that operators and offtakers are enabled to deliver bankable, environmentally responsible gas-to-market solutions in line with 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.
He stated that Heirs’ Energies is on a mission to address Africa’s energy needs and expand the gas value chain.
“We have de-risked all the issues, we have taken away all the excuses and we have built relationships with our JV partners, with our regulators, with our host community that has catalysed a whole new way of working. We are very proud to be one of the companies that has helped rekindled the interest in onshore Nigeria and people now look to invest more and there is a whole new different paradigm.
“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.