Seplat Energy Plc has announced plans to commence gas exports as part of a strategic move to boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings and deliver greater value to stakeholders.
Speaking at a panel session organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) during the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2025 in Houston, Texas, Dotun Isiaka, managing director of Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), said the initiative aligns with the company’s vision to become a leading player in both the domestic and international gas markets.
According to Isiaka, the decision to enter the export market is driven by Seplat’s recent acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), a deal that significantly enhanced the company’s gas reserves and infrastructure. The MPNU assets, he revealed, contain over 14 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas, with processing and distribution infrastructure already in place.
“These reserves are close to existing infrastructure, including three compression hubs with a combined capacity of 1.7 billion cubic feet per day,” Isiaka said. “The key requirement is upstream investment to extract and transport the gas to these facilities, followed by pipeline delivery to shore.”
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Seplat, which currently supplies gas for power generation and industrial use in Nigeria, aims to expand its footprint beyond the domestic market to tap into international demand. The company sees natural gas as a critical driver of economic growth and energy transition, both locally and globally.
“We are focused on both domestic supply and export,” Isiaka said. “We believe gas should be the primary driver of the nation’s economy, and we are committed to ensuring energy access for Nigerians while also contributing to national FX earnings.”
He noted that Seplat’s combined processing capacity stands at around 550 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), distributed between the Oben and Sapele gas plants. However, current output is about 200 MMscfd short of that capacity, prompting the company to explore partnerships with nearby suppliers to meet processing targets.
Isiaka also provided an update on the Assa North-Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Plant, which has a processing capacity of 300 MMscfd and is nearing completion. Although the initial plan was to dedicate ANOH’s output to the domestic market, Seplat is now considering export opportunities to optimise value.
“In the near term, we may need to explore alternative off-take options, including export,” he said.
The managing director further emphasised the role of indigenous companies like Seplat in leading Nigeria’s energy transition. “We are playing a leadership role, but this requires collaboration across the entire value chain,” he said.
Seplat’s export plans come at a time when Nigeria is seeking to increase non-oil FX earnings amid persistent fiscal and trade pressures. With global demand for cleaner fuels rising, stakeholders say gas exports offer Nigeria a promising path to economic diversification.
