Nigeria’s huge natural gas reserves provide the nation with ready access to low-carbon energy to address energy poverty, said state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) CEO Mele Kyari.

The West African nation’s domestic gas infrastructure network can transport about 6.9 billion standard cubic feet (scf) of gas to support power generation and gas-based industries, Premium Times newspaper reported Kyari as saying.

The country’s gas reserves stand at over 200 trillion cubic feet (TCF), potentially growing to 600 TCF, as more investment is forecast following the dispute resolutions.

“This significant reserve will serve as a low-carbon energy alternative that will support growth in the power and industrial sectors, address energy poverty, reduce carbon footprint and create more employment opportunities,” Kyari said.

In addition, NNPC is making progress on the planned Nigeria-Morocco and the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipelines that will connect West African countries to deliver natural gas to the international markets.

The ongoing NLNG Train 7 will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from 22 to about 30 million tons per annum (30 MTPA), the CEO added.

(Editing by Seban Scaria seban.scaria@lseg.com)