The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has restated its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and supporting the Federal Government’s gas development plans.
This assurance was given by the Chief Executive of the Commission, Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, during a recent visit by the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Adeleye Falade. The meeting was described as timely, especially as the Commission continues to implement reforms in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Eyesan explained that since December, the NUPRC has been working to improve its regulatory processes. According to her, the goal is to make the Commission more supportive of businesses in the oil and gas sector rather than acting only as a regulator.
She noted that the Commission holds monthly meetings with industry stakeholders to review performance and quickly address challenges. This approach, she said, helps prevent small issues from becoming major problems.
Eyesan also linked the government’s proactive approach to growing investor confidence in the sector. She pointed out that more investors are now making final investment decisions, which is a positive sign for the industry.
Speaking on Nigeria’s gas development plan, she emphasized that the “Decade of Gas” initiative is not just a vision but a practical strategy. The plan aims to increase gas use within the country while also boosting exports. She stressed that while the government is doing its part, companies operating in the sector must also meet expectations by maintaining high performance, following regulations, and making disciplined investments.
In response, NLNG Managing Director Adeleye Falade highlighted the importance of collaboration between upstream operators and companies like NLNG. He explained that strong cooperation is necessary to ensure a steady supply of gas.
Falade also discussed NLNG’s focus on the domestic market, particularly its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) strategy. He revealed that the company now supplies all of its LPG production to the Nigerian market. According to him, this decision was not due to a drop in production but because local demand has grown significantly.
Looking to the future, Falade spoke about the upcoming Train 7 project. He said the project is expected to begin operations next year and will increase NLNG’s production capacity by about 35 percent. This expansion will allow the company to meet rising domestic demand while also increasing exports.
