Seplat Energy is pressing Nigeria to speed up investment in its natural gas infrastructure, arguing that the country’s 215 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves will remain stranded unless more capital goes into production, processing, transport and end-use projects.
Seplat Urges Nigeria to Speed Up Gas Infrastructure
The message matters because gas has become central to Nigeria’s power supply, industrial output and export ambitions at a time when energy poverty across sub-Saharan Africa still leaves about 600 million people without electricity. For investors, the pitch underscores that the economics of Nigerian gas depend less on geology than on pipelines, payment discipline and policy certainty.
Speaking at the Gas Investment Forum in Lagos, Seplat said the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle legacy debts in the gas-to-power chain are improving the bankability of projects, while the Petroleum Industry Act and institutions such as the NMDPRA and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund are helping to reduce regulatory friction and infrastructure bottlenecks.
The company is backing that view with its own spending. Seplat said it has built the 375 MMscfd Oben Gas Plant, the 90 MMscfd Sapele Gas Plant and the 300 MMscfd ANOH Gas Plant, giving it one of the largest domestic gas footprints in Nigeria. It also supplies gas directly to six power stations and industrial users, including fertilizer makers through ANOH.
Seplat’s recent takeover of ExxonMobil’s onshore and offshore assets has also boosted domestic supplies of butane and liquefied petroleum gas, while investments in compressed natural gas are widening access beyond pipeline networks. The company said it ended routine flaring across its onshore operations at the end of 2025, cutting emissions intensity and improving its environmental profile.
The broader investment case is now tied to Nigeria’s ability to convert gas reserves into reliable supply. Seplat said the start of operations on the OB3 gas pipeline is a major milestone, and it urged government, lenders and industry to move from policy discussion to project delivery as Nigeria competes for capital against other gas producers and tries to serve both domestic demand and export markets.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Seplat Energy | ▲Bigger domestic gas role | ▼Underinvestment delays returns |
| Nigerian government | ▲Improved energy security | ▼Pressure to fix debts and bottlenecks |
| Power and industrial users | ▲Better gas supply prospects | ▼Higher costs if infrastructure lags |
| Competing gas exporters | ▲Potential market share risk | ▼Nigeria gains investment momentum |
