NMDPRA unveils new gas code to boost efficiency

L-R: The ​‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‍⁠⁠‍‌‌‌‍​⁠‍‍‌​Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Patience Oyekunle (left), and the Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mr Rabiu Umar, at the unveiling of Revision 2 of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code during the 20th edition of OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 in Lagos.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has unveiled Revision 2 of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code to strengthen gas transportation regulations, improve market efficiency and facilitate trade.

The Authority Chief Executive, Mr Rabiu Umar, announced this on Monday at the 20th edition of OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 in Lagos.

Umar said that the revised code provided clearer rules for gas measurement, nominations and transportation, thereby promoting transparency and improving coordination among network users.

He said that participation in the gas transportation network had increased, with more shippers joining since the introduction of Revision 1.

He added that imbalances on the western gas network had declined by 30 per cent since the earlier version was introduced.

Umar said that effective gas transportation regulations were essential to improving network operations and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s gas market.

Mrs Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy (Oil and Gas), said that gas remained critical to power generation, industrial development and transportation.

Verheijen, who was represented by Mrs Eriye Onagoruwa, Team Lead in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, emphasised the importance of regulatory certainty and investment in gas infrastructure.

She said that predictable regulations would help attract the investments required to develop gas infrastructure and expand the use of gas across the economy.

Dr Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) said that investment in gas infrastructure was essential to developing the country’s energy value chain.

Dagazau stressed the need for improved coordination among industry stakeholders and regional cooperation to promote energy market integration and cross-border trade.

Mr Tunji Oyebanji, Chairman of the OTL Africa Downstream Advisory Board, said infrastructure development and efficient logistics were critical to strengthening Africa’s downstream energy markets.

He said that commercial partnerships among African countries would help expand energy trade and create investment opportunities across the region.

The 2026 edition of OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week, with the theme, “Secure Energy, Shared Prosperity,” brings together regulators, policymakers, operators and investors to discuss developments in Africa’s downstream energy industry.