Nigeria boosts ties with UK on gas sector regulatory framework

Forum 4 days ago

Nigeria boosts ties with UK on gas sector regulatory framework

The Nigerian Government has strengthened its gas sector regulatory framework through a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, Ofgem.

The two countries sealed the partnership at a high-level meeting in London between the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and officials from Ofgem and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.

The synergy is aimed at enhancing regulatory innovation and capacity development in Nigeria’s gas sector, with a focus on domestic utilization, regional energy integration, gas-to-power projects, expansion of infrastructure through targeted investment and innovation, including pipelines and Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, networks.

The Nigerian Government also seeks to draw insights from Ofgem’s practices in promoting investor confidence and consumer protection.

During the meeting, Ekpo emphasized the need for strong collaboration between Nigerian and UK-based firms to boost investment in gas development, stressing that partnerships between the two countries could attract investments to bolster Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.

The Gas Minister also highlighted the importance of developing regulatory frameworks that support the integration of renewable gases, such as hydrogen, into Nigeria’s energy mix.

“By fostering partnerships between Nigerian entities and UK-based firms, we can attract investments that will bolster our gas infrastructure, ensuring efficient delivery and utilization.

“Nigeria is committed to reducing methane emissions and promoting decarbonization in our upstream operations. Let us continue to forge pathways that lead to a more prosperous and energy-secure future,” Ekpo said.