Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s upstream gas sector has received a major investment boost following the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the $800 million IMA Gas Project, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) describing the development as a significant milestone for the country’s gas industry.
The IMA Gas Project, located offshore in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 112 and 117, is being developed by indigenous operator AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies.
At peak production, the project is expected to deliver approximately 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, with the output earmarked to provide critical feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) for its Train 7 expansion.
The Train 7 project is expected to increase NLNG’s production capacity at Bonny Island from 22 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 30 Mtpa, strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global liquefied natural gas market.
NNPC Ltd. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the company welcomed the FID as evidence of the increasing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.
The investment decision was facilitated by presidential directives issued in 2024, which introduced fiscal incentives for non-associated gas projects, streamlined contracting processes and helped reduce development costs.
The IMA project is reportedly the fourth major gas project to reach FID under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the Iseni, Ubeta and HI gas projects.
NNPC Ltd. Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the latest FID as a “decisive vote of confidence” in Nigeria’s gas sector and in reforms aimed at creating more competitive terms and a more predictable investment environment.
Beyond the immediate production targets, the project also highlights the potential of collaboration between indigenous Nigerian operators, international energy companies and domestic financial institutions.
NNPC Ltd. commended the partnership involving AMNI, TotalEnergies and Nigeria’s financial sector, describing the model of indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital as one that could be replicated in future oil and gas developments.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Government, regulators and industry stakeholders to sustain investment in Nigeria’s gas sector.
For Nigeria, the significance of the project extends beyond gas production. Increased domestic gas supply could support LNG production, industrial activity and energy-related investments while contributing to employment and broader economic activity.
The IMA FID therefore adds to a growing pipeline of major gas projects aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s substantial gas resources and strengthening the role of gas in the country’s industrialisation strategy.
