Seplat Energy Plc has announced plans to commence gas exports as part of a broader strategy to increase Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings and solidify its role in the global energy transition.
Dotun Isiaka, Managing Director of Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), disclosed this during a panel session hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Isiaka stated that Seplat’s export strategy aligns with the company’s ambition to become a major supplier in both local and international gas markets.
The development is largely enabled by the recent acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), which brought substantial gas assets and infrastructure under Seplat’s control.
“The MPNU assets hold over 14 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas, and the infrastructure to process and distribute the gas is already in place,” Isiaka said. “What remains is increased upstream investment to extract and channel the gas to these facilities.”
The infrastructure includes three major compression hubs with a combined capacity of 1.7 billion cubic feet per day. Seplat currently operates two key gas processing facilities — Oben and Sapele — with a combined processing capacity of 550 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd).
However, current output is around 200 MMscfd short of that benchmark, prompting the company to seek partnerships with nearby suppliers to bridge the gap.
In addition, the company is finalising the Assa North-Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Plant project, which is expected to add another 300 MMscfd to its processing portfolio. While ANOH was initially developed to cater exclusively to domestic demand, Seplat is now exploring export opportunities as part of its operational flexibility strategy.
“In the near term, we may need to explore alternative off-take options, including export,” Isiaka noted.
Seplat’s renewed focus on gas exports is expected to support Nigeria’s broader economic diversification objectives, particularly in the non-oil FX segment. With rising global demand for cleaner fuels and energy security becoming a priority in many regions, Seplat’s export strategy comes at a strategically important time.
“We are committed to energy access for Nigerians, but we must also contribute meaningfully to national FX inflows,” Isiaka said. “Gas must become the primary driver of Nigeria’s economy.”
He also reiterated Seplat’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy transition agenda, stating that indigenous companies like Seplat have a responsibility to lead the shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
He stressed that collaboration across the entire gas value chain is critical to achieving long-term success.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the development, noting that gas exports could position Nigeria as a significant player in global energy supply while reducing the nation’s fiscal vulnerabilities.
Seplat’s expansion into the global gas market is expected to attract foreign investment and strengthen investor confidence in the country’s gas sector, especially as Nigeria continues to seek viable alternatives to crude oil revenue amid global decarbonisation trends.
