ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria’s daily natural gas production increased to 7.93 billion standard cubic feet per day in May 2026, supported by rising domestic demand and stronger output from non-associated gas fields, according to new industry data.
The figures showed that gas production rose by 0.63 per cent year-on-year from 7.88bcf/d recorded in May 2025 to 7.93bcf/d in the corresponding period of 2026.
Data published on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s website on Monday indicated that Associated Gas contributed 3.96bcf/d, while Non-Associated Gas accounted for 3.98bcf/d during the month.
The figures highlight the growing role of non-associated gas in Nigeria’s production mix and underscore the progress of dedicated gas development projects across the country.
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On a month-on-month basis, however, production slipped slightly by 0.12 per cent from the 7.94bcf/d recorded in April 2026.
Despite the marginal decline, overall production has maintained an upward trend since the beginning of the year, rising from 7.80bcf/d in January to 7.81bcf/d in February, 7.85bcf/d in March and 7.94bcf/d in April.
The data also showed a shift in gas utilisation patterns. Export sales declined from 4.13bcf/d to 3.07bcf/d, accounting for 40 per cent of total production, while domestic sales increased from 2.03bcf/d to 2.18bcf/d, representing 26.6 per cent of total utilisation.
The increase in domestic supply reflects ongoing efforts to meet local gas demand as the power sector, industries and gas-based manufacturing activities expand under the Federal Government’s gas development agenda.
According to the report, 2.11bcf/d, representing 26.5 per cent of total production, was utilised for field operations and own-use, while 0.57bcf/d, or 6.9 per cent, was flared.
The flaring figures point to continued efforts by the country to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030.
Year-to-date production averaged 7.87Bscf/d, up from 7.82Bscf/d recorded in the first quarter of the year, and increased further to 7.94Bscf/d across April and May.
Further analysis of industry data showed that Nigeria utilised about 92 per cent of the natural gas produced between January and April 2026, reflecting steady progress in efforts to reduce gas flaring and maximise the value of its gas resources.
A total of 947.78 billion standard cubic feet of gas was produced during the four-month period.
Of that volume, 872.69 billion standard cubic feet were channelled to domestic supply, exports and field operations, while approximately 57.34 billion standard cubic feet were flared.
The data, marked as provisional pending quarterly reconciliation, showed that January production stood at 241.71 billion standard cubic feet, comprising 118.72 billion standard cubic feet of Associated Gas and 122.99 billion standard cubic feet of Non-Associated Gas.
Of the January output, 59.09 billion standard cubic feet were consumed in field operations, 65.58 billion standard cubic feet supplied to the domestic market and 96.24 billion standard cubic feet exported.
In total, 220.91 billion standard cubic feet, representing 91.4 per cent of production, were utilised.
In February, total production stood at 218.70 billion standard cubic feet, with 203.42 billion standard cubic feet utilised, representing 93 per cent of output, while 14.09 billion standard cubic feet, or 6.44 per cent, were flared.
Production increased to 243.28 billion standard cubic feet in March, of which 226.79 billion standard cubic feet, representing 93.2 per cent, were utilised.
In April, total output reached 238.08 billion standard cubic feet.
Of this, 221.57 billion standard cubic feet, or 93.1 per cent, were utilised, while gas flaring declined to 14.52 billion standard cubic feet, representing 6.1 per cent of production.
Domestic gas supply remained robust throughout the period, with sales of 65.58 billion standard cubic feet in January, 59.83 billion standard cubic feet in February, 60.58 billion standard cubic feet in March and 60.88 billion standard cubic feet in April.
Export volumes also remained strong, with Nigeria exporting 96.24 billion standard cubic feet in January, 84.16 billion standard cubic feet in February, 98.49 billion standard cubic feet in March and 98.69 billion standard cubic feet in April.
The performance aligns with the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative aimed at commercialising the country’s vast gas reserves and reducing routine flaring, which has long attracted environmental and economic concerns.
Nigeria holds one of the largest proven natural gas reserves in Africa, estimated at more than 200 trillion cubic feet.
However, infrastructure deficits, limited domestic utilisation capacity and decades of routine gas flaring have continued to hinder efforts to maximise the resource’s economic potential.