Nigeria key to TotalEnergies’ global push for more energy, fewer emissions

By Ambrose Nnaji

The Managing Director of TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Mathieu Bouyer, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s energy supply while steadily lowering the carbon intensity of its operations.

Bouyer spoke during a panel session titled “Capitalising on Africa’s Global Upstream Momentum” at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja, where industry leaders examined evolving investment trends and emerging opportunities across Africa’s oil and gas sector.

He said TotalEnergies’ strategy in Nigeria is anchored on two core pillars: growing oil and gas production and expanding electricity generation through integrated power solutions—aligned with the company’s global ambition of delivering more energy with fewer emissions.

“Our strategy is about growing energy as a whole,” Bouyer said, stressing that Nigeria remains a strategic market within TotalEnergies’ global portfolio, even as countries across Africa compete for upstream investment capital.

According to him, the company’s immediate focus is on maximising value from existing assets, spanning onshore gas and offshore oil and gas developments. He cited the recently sanctioned Ubeta Gas Project, expected to deliver up to 300 million cubic feet of gas per day, alongside several additional projects currently under evaluation.

On sustainability, Bouyer disclosed that TotalEnergies has eliminated routine gas flaring across all its Nigerian operations since 2023, marking a major milestone in its emissions-reduction drive. He added that the company has deployed advanced methane-detection technologies, including its proprietary AUSEA system, designed for real-time emissions monitoring and rapid intervention.

In addition, he said TotalEnergies EP Nigeria has installed over 2,500 Permanent Emission Monitoring Systems (PEMS) across its production sites nationwide.

Bouyer also announced plans to commission a five-megawatt solar power plant at OML 58 to supply electricity to the Ubeta Gas Project, describing it as one of the world’s first near-net-zero gas developments.

He underscored the importance of partnerships with indigenous companies, describing collaboration with local operators as critical to accelerating project execution and unlocking broader economic value.

Bouyer cited long-standing joint ventures with AMNI, Conoil, and Sapetro, pointing to flagship assets such as Egina FPSO and Akpo Condensate as examples of successful collaboration between international and indigenous operators. He also disclosed ongoing deep-offshore appraisal work with Conoil and planned exploration drilling with Sapetro.

“When we work with local partners, it enables us to move faster and create value—not just for ourselves, but for the country,” he said.

Bouyer and members of his management team also engaged with students at the summit, reinforcing TotalEnergies’ focus on knowledge transfer, skills development, and nurturing the next generation of energy professionals.