NLNG Steps up Methane Emission Cuts with New Technology

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) is intensifying efforts to curb methane emissions by embedding prevention measures into facility design, upgrading brownfield assets, and commissioning advanced technologies, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Philip Mshelbila has said.

Speaking at a high-level panel during the 2025 Gastech Conference in Milan, Italy, Mshelbila disclosed that the company is finalising the installation of a new boil-off gas compressor system that will capture and reinject methane into the value chain.

He stressed that prevention remains central to methane management, noting that NLNG has built a robust framework to track, quantify, and mitigate leaks. “We know our baseline, we know where the leaks occur, and we measure whether our interventions are working. But no single operator can solve this problem alone,” he said.

Since operations began 26 years ago, NLNG has cut Nigeria’s gas flaring by more than 40 per cent through the capture and monetisation of associated gas.

The company has also achieved the Gold Standard under the UN-backed Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 for two consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to international best practices.
While highlighting that oil and gas operations account for about 21 per cent of global methane emissions, Mshelbila warned that without action on agriculture and waste—responsible for far greater shares—industry efforts will be undermined.

“The technology is available, but not everyone can afford it. Financing, particularly for smaller operators, is a major hurdle. And in many developing countries, methane policies are far less developed than those for carbon dioxide. These are gaps the global industry must urgently close,” he cautioned.

He called for stronger partnerships across the energy value chain, including financing models that enable smaller operators to invest and knowledge-sharing on technologies such as satellite-based leak detection.

Now in its 53rd edition, Gastech is the world’s largest platform for natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, and climate technologies. The 2025 conference, held in Milan from September 9–12, gathered global leaders and innovators to showcase solutions shaping the energy transition.