NUPRC committed to enriching domestic gas utilisation — Komolafe

The Commission Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has assured of the Commission’s commitment to meet Nigeria’s growing energy demands and expand its gas infrastructure.

The NUPRC boss made the remarks while delivering a speech titled ‘The Role of Regulatory Support in Advancing Nigeria’s Upstream Success’ sub-themed ‘From Resources To Revenue’ at the ongoing 8th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja.

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Komolafe said the Commission will make sure that every Field Development Plan (FDP) involves a firm commitment to fulfilling gas delivery obligations and increasing gas supply to the domestic market to meet rising local demand, it is also part of NUPRC’s plan to advance deepwater development, seeing to the creation of deepwater clusters which will, in turn, reduce costs and leverage economies of scale.

He also revealed that the Commission is aligning its upstream operations with global decarbonization goals, and in March, will hold the first Nigeria Upstream Oil and Gas Decarbonization Forum to present its governance and regulatory framework for decarbonization in the Nigerian upstream sector.

“At NUPRC, we are committed to enriching domestic gas utilization and expanding gas infrastructure to meet Nigeria’s growing energy demands. In this regard, we will ensure that every Field Development Plan (FDP) includes a firm commitment to fulfilling gas delivery obligations and increasing gas supply to the domestic market to meet rising local demand.

“As part of our forward-looking plan to advance deepwater development, we will promote the creation of deepwater clusters, fostering synergies in facility use to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s deepwater resources while reducing costs and leveraging economies of scale.

“Furthermore, we are aligning our upstream operations with global decarbonization goals. In this regard, the Commission is organising the first Nigeria Upstream Oil and Gas Decarbonization Forum next month, where we will present our governance and regulatory framework for decarbonization in the Nigerian upstream sector,” he said.

The NUPRC boss also talked about social inclusion which has seen the implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) in line with the provisions of the PIA 2021 and resulting in 198 ongoing projects in 154 host communities with over N78.8 billion and $122 million contributed.

“NUPRC’s commitment to shared prosperity is demonstrated in its effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) provisions of the PIA 2021. With 154 HCDTs registered and over N78.8 billion and $122 million contributed to the fund, we are steering tangible change, resulting in 198 ongoing projects in host communities and enhanced peace and economic growth in resource-rich regions.

“Indeed, NUPRC has provided and will continue to provide regulatory support in advancing Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas success. NUPRC’s relentless efforts to eliminate investment barriers, streamline regulatory processes, and foster transparency, alongside strategic investment roadshows, have strengthened investor confidence and firmly re-established Nigeria as a dominant force in the global energy market.

“Through clear policies and competitive frameworks, we are attracting both local and international investments. We are also fostering innovation, advancing automation, digital oilfields, and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) to drive sustainability as well as supporting local content and technology localization.

“NUPRC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and global safety standards provides a level-playing field and secures a resilient, thriving future for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. We are also adopting innovative approaches to enhance industry stability.

“An example of such approaches is the NUPRC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) which plays a crucial role in fostering efficient, fair, and timely resolution of conflicts within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”