COP 28:NNPC eyes methane reduction with support from partners

Business a.m

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has pledged to collaborate with global partners in the effort to cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations. NNPC made the pledge while attending the UN Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The conference was the site of the unveiling of the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), which lays out a framework for the sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

During a panel discussion titled “Accelerating the Elimination of Methane Emissions & the Decarbonisation of Oil & Gas,” Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, executive vice president for upstream at NNPC, commented on the significance of the charter for Africa. She stated that the charter was a significant opportunity not only for NNPC, but also for the African sub-region as a whole. Shee noted that despite the fact that Africa contributes only three percent to global emissions, the continent is still impacted by the consequences of emissions. He argued that decarbonisation is not only the ethical choice but also a strategic imperative for a major African national oil company (NOC) like NNPC. 

We believe this charter is an important one. We are committed to working with all

stakeholders to deliver on that,” Eyesan stated.

Eyesan cited Nigeria’s declaration of the present decade as the “Decade of Gas” as a crucial step toward achieving its goal of near-zero methane emissions. She explained that this initiative was not only about producing more gas for export, but also about producing gas for domestic use and the entire African sub-region. 

“I assure you that we are open to working with our partners towards achieving

zero-flare and methane emission reduction by 2030. This fits perfectly with our

dreams, and we consider it achievable,” Eyesan stated.

The NNPC executive vice president noted that the financing and technological challenges of implementing the charter were its two most significant barriers, and that African nations would require partnerships with organisations that have the necessary technology and financial resources to overcome these hurdles. She emphasised NNPC’s commitment to expanding its alternate energy sources through investments in solar, wind, and other renewable resources.