Nigeria, UK Strengthen Collaboration On Regulatory Reforms In Gas Sector

The federal government has established a strategic partnership with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) of the United Kingdom, marking a major step in fortifying its regulatory framework for the gas sector.

The partnership was sealed during 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 collaboration aims to enhance regulatory innovation and capacity development in Nigeria’s gas sector, with a focus on domestic utilization, regional energy integration, gas-to-power projects, and expansion of infrastructure through targeted investment and innovation, including pipelines and compressed natural gas (CNG) networks.

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

Ekpo, during the meeting, 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,” he said.

“Nigeria is committed to reducing methane emissions and promoting decarbonization in our upstream operations,” Ekpo added, while seeking Ofgem’s experience in overseeing emissions management. “Let us continue to forge pathways that lead to a more prosperous and energy-secure future.”