Business
Ekpo Urges For Domestic, Export Market Boost In Gas Supply
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) to accelerate its natural gas delivery efforts for domestic use and export markets.
The Minister shared this statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Ekpo made the appeal during a meeting with Seplat’s senior management team, led by the Managing Director, Dotun Isiaka, at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Towers, Abuja.
Speaking in his Official X account, Ekpo said “our disiscussions centered on expediting natural gas supply for both domestic use and export, particularly in light of Seplat’s recent takeover of assets from ExxonMobil in December 2024”.
Ekpo, who commended Seplat Energy for successfully assuming operatorship of these assets, urged the company to fast-track Gas Sales Agreements (GSAs), which, he said, were critical for unlocking Nigeria’s gas potential.
He emphasized the importance of timely execution of these agreements, insisting that they would drive industrialization, energy security, and economic growth.
The Minister further stressed the need for strong engagement with stakeholders, particularly host communities, to ensure a stable operational environment.
Ekpo noted the challenge of Nigeria’s low domestic gas utilization despite its vast reserves, urging operators like Seplat Energy to collaborate with the government to address the issue.
“Despite being one of the most gas-endowed nations in the world, Nigeria’s domestic utilization remains disappointingly low. Operators like Seplat Energy must collaborate with the government to reverse this trend.
“My office remains committed to supporting indigenous players by addressing legislative and regulatory bottlenecks to facilitate their gas production and distribution efforts”, he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting indigenous players by addressing legislative and regulatory challenges to enhance gas production and distribution.
The Minister further pledged to collaborate with Seplat Energy to maintain its commitments and work alongside the government and private sector to unlock Nigeria’s full gas potential.