The Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) has handed over a technology-driven platform to Nigeria’s petroleum regulator, enabling it to detect methane leaks, identify emission hotspots and strengthen enforcement.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Emission Tracker (NOGIET) combines satellite surveillance, facility information and verified emission data to improve regulatory oversight across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
SDN Board Chairman, Mr Inemo Samiama, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the formal presentation and handover of the platform to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He said the technology would enable regulators to compare satellite-detected methane plumes with measurements supplied by facility operators, exposing discrepancies and tracing emissions to specific facilities and pipeline routes.
Samiama said the platform would help regulators identify emission hotspots, prioritise inspections and recommend corrective measures based on reliable evidence.
He explained that the initiative, supported by the Global Methane Hub, was developed to strengthen methane monitoring across Nigeria’s upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“As gas plays a growing role in Nigeria’s energy future, methane leaks from gas processing plants, pipelines, compressor stations, storage depots and distribution networks matter more than ever.
“The authority sits at the heart of that challenge, and regulators cannot enforce what they cannot see,” he said.
He said NOGIET would give the NMDPRA and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) improved visibility over methane emissions across the petroleum industry.
Samiama disclosed that SDN developed and transferred the platform’s front-end and back-end components to the authority at no cost.
He said its development followed a needs assessment conducted in 2025, capacity-building training in April 2026 and subsequent technical engagements with the regulator.
According to him, the platform would be jointly managed by the NMDPRA and NUPRC, with provisions for expanding its capabilities to monitor other greenhouse gases.
He urged the authorities to incorporate NOGIET into routine inspections, monitoring and enforcement activities, while maintaining regular data updates and robust security.
SDN Country Director, Mrs Florence Ibok-Abasi, said the initiative would strengthen evidence-based regulation and support Federal Government efforts to reduce environmental and public health risks.
She stressed that reliable emissions data was essential for establishing pollution sources, determining their scale and enabling regulators to take appropriate corrective action.
Ibok-Abasi said the platform would also help protect oil-producing communities, particularly in the Niger Delta, from pollution and deteriorating air quality.
Receiving the platform, NMDPRA Authority Chief Executive, Mr Rabiu Umar, described the initiative as an important development in evidence-based regulation and operational efficiency.
Umar, represented by the Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Mr Mustapha Lamorde, said NOGIET would advance the authority’s methane reduction objectives.
He said the initiative also aligned with its internal transformation agenda, Project Nexus, while supporting environmental protection and improved operational efficiency.
Umar said reducing methane emissions was essential to preventing gas wastage, conserving valuable resources and minimising environmental damage.
He disclosed that Nigeria had set a target of reducing methane emissions by 60 per cent by 2035.
He added that guidelines on greenhouse gas and methane reduction had been gazetted and were undergoing operationalisation.
He noted that NOGIET would help the authority track emission trends, identify priority inspection areas and develop corrective measures to ensure regulatory compliance.
He commended SDN for adopting an integrated approach covering the midstream and downstream sectors, which are critical to processing and adding value to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
Umar urged other industry stakeholders to support methane reduction initiatives and promote safer, more efficient petroleum operations.
The platform is expected to be deployed on the NMDPRA’s digital infrastructure, while SDN will continue providing technical support to ensure secure and reliable access. (NAN)
