The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reiterated ongoing reforms in accelerating the greening of the nation’s oil and gas sector by embedding strict decarbonisation requirements into its core regulatory framework.
In a move to align Nigeria’s upstream activities with global Energy, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, the Commission confirmed that climate-action milestones are no longer optional but are being integrated into the entire lifecycle of petroleum assets.
The NUPRC’s approach focuses on four critical regulatory levers designed to drive down the industry’s carbon footprint.
This starts with policy and framework development, where the Commission is setting clear, enforceable guidelines that mandate operators to account for greenhouse gas emissions.
A major emphasis is also being placed on methane management through the implementation of rigorous leak detection and repair protocols to curb the release of this potent gas.
Complementing these efforts is an intensified flare reduction oversight, which utilizes programs like the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme to eliminate routine flaring and monetize gas resources.
By making these environmental milestones a prerequisite for licenses and permits, the Commission is ensuring that the pursuit of increased national oil production does not come at the cost of environmental sustainability.
The NUPRC stated that this progressive embedding of decarbonisation into upstream regulation marks a significant shift toward a future-ready energy sector, balancing energy security with Nigeria’s commitment to reach Net-Zero by 2060.