Nigeria's Q1 Gas Production Up 3%, Flaring Down 8%

In the first quarter of 2026, Nigeria's gas production rose to 687.09 billion standard cubic feet (bscf), marking a 3% increase from 667.27 bscf in Q1 2025, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The report highlights a year-on-year growth of approximately 2.97%, reflecting a steady expansion in Nigeria's gas sector amid government efforts to enhance gas utilization and monetization.

Gas flaring also saw a significant reduction, dropping from 50.95 bscf in Q1 2025 to 46.83 bscf in Q1 2026, a decline of roughly 8.1%. The average flare rate improved from 7.65% in Q1 2025 to 6.81% in Q1 2026.

Notably, non-associated gas production increased from 296.99 bscf in Q1 2025 to 354.17 bscf in Q1 2026, indicating a shift towards standalone gas projects. However, domestic gas sales fell from 186.98 bscf in Q1 2025 to 171.15 bscf in Q1 2026, raising concerns about supply adequacy for the domestic market.