Seplat Energy Urges Responsible Oil and Gas Operations as Transition Debate Deepens
By GLEBM News Desk
Seplat Energy says oil and gas will remain vital to Nigeria’s energy mix, urging operators to prioritise responsible, efficient and sustainable operations.
Seplat Energy Plc has reiterated that oil and gas will continue to play a central role in Nigeria’s energy mix for the foreseeable future, while stressing that operators must run their businesses responsibly, efficiently and with clear sustainability outcomes.
The company’s position was outlined by Okechukwu Mba, Director, Gas & New Energy, who represented Chief Executive Officer Roger Brown at a high-level climate roundtable in Lagos. The forum was organised by the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) in partnership with DEG and Africa Foresight Group.
Addressing participants, Mba said the key issue confronting Nigeria’s energy sector is not whether oil and gas should remain part of the economy, but how industry players manage their environmental, social and economic responsibilities.
“Oil and gas will remain an important part of Nigeria’s energy mix for some time. The real issue is not whether the industry should exist, but how operators conduct themselves responsibly,” he said.
He noted that responsible operations must be grounded in measurable actions, including improved efficiency, emissions reduction and credible offsetting strategies. According to Mba, Seplat Energy has translated its commitments into tangible results, particularly through a multi-year programme aimed at eliminating routine gas flaring across its onshore assets.
“All the projects required to end routine flaring in our onshore operations have been completed and are at the commissioning stage,” he said, adding that the milestone reflects the company’s environmental stewardship while maintaining energy supply to the country.
Mba also highlighted Seplat Energy’s use of technology to strengthen operational efficiency, including real-time emissions monitoring across pipelines, valves and processing facilities, supported by an asset integrity programme designed to identify and address emissions sources.
Beyond its core operations, the company is investing in gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) infrastructure to support broader emissions reduction. Expanded LPG access, he said, helps reduce reliance on firewood, charcoal and other biomass fuels, particularly in peri-urban and rural communities.
Following Seplat’s offshore acquisition, Mba noted that LPG volumes previously exported are now being redirected to the domestic market, improving availability, affordability and overall market quality.
On the wider energy transition, he underscored the importance of financing, particularly for gas and gas-to-power projects. He observed that while Nigeria’s national grid delivers about five gigawatts of electricity, a significant share of power demand is met through petrol and diesel generators with much higher emissions.
“If we replace these inefficient power sources with gas-powered solutions, we can achieve significant decarbonisation. But without adequate financing, such projects will not materialise,” he said.
The event also marked the launch of the NGX Net-Zero Programme (N-Zero), an initiative designed to help listed companies define credible net-zero pathways, strengthen climate-related disclosures and align with global investor expectations. The programme is projected to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3.1 billion in climate-linked capital for Nigerian companies.
Speaking at the launch, Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX Group, said Africa’s capital markets must play a leading role in advancing climate action and sustainable growth, noting that the N-Zero Programme is intended to help companies move from ambition to measurable impact.
— GLEBM News
