The Chairman of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), Professor Mohammed Ibrahim, has announced that the production of coal bed methane (CBM), an unconventional form of natural gas extracted from coal, is set to commence in Benue State.
This landmark development positions Benue as the first state in Nigeria to pioneer the extraction of gas from non-conventional coal sources, offering an alternative to traditional hydrocarbon reserves. Prof. Ibrahim highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative for Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Essentially, there are four areas of implementation that the committee has identified.
“One is to pioneer the production of gas from what you call coal bed methane, which means that Benue is going to pioneer in the country the production of gas not from conventional hydrocarbons but from non-conventional coal, just so that the nation will have an alternative source to gas availability.”
Professor Mohammed Ibrahim, Chairman of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP)
This bold step aligns with the Federal Government’s broader commitment to expanding gas availability for domestic use and mobility, addressing the country’s energy demands through diversified sources.
Established to boost the exploration and utilization of gas resources in Nigeria, the NGEP aims to position the country as a gas-based industrial nation.
The programme focuses on increasing the use of gas for transportation, cooking, and industrial applications, leveraging Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to support economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Prof. Ibrahim reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding gas availability across Nigeria, highlighting the strategic shift towards non-conventional gas sources like CBM as a way to boost domestic supply.
“Extracting gas from unconventional coal sources rather than traditional hydrocarbon reserves is a way to boost gas availability.”
Professor Mohammed Ibrahim, Chairman of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP)
Economic Implications for Benue State
The Chairman of the State Gas Expansion Programme, Dr. Emmanuel Chenge, emphasized the transformative economic potential of the gas expansion initiative for Benue State.
“The good news is that Benue is set to join the league of gas-producing states, and if we are conversant with what being a member of the gas-producing states means, it shows that Benue State will start getting derivatives from that sector of the economy.”
Dr. Emmanuel Chenge, Chairman of the State Gas Expansion Programme
The economic benefits of becoming a gas-producing state are multifaceted, including revenue generation, job creation, industrial growth, and infrastructure development.
As gas production ramps up, Benue is expected to attract investments in gas-related industries, such as power generation, petrochemicals, and gas processing facilities.
Despite having the largest gas reserves in Africa and ranking among the top ten globally, Nigeria has struggled to fully exploit its gas potential due to inadequate infrastructure.
According to Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Nigeria requires an estimated $20 billion annually for the next decade to develop its gas infrastructure.
Dr. Orji emphasize the critical role of sustained investment in unlocking Nigeria’s gas potential stating, “Nigeria needs $20 billion annually for 10 years as investment in gas infrastructure.”
This funding is essential for the development of pipelines, processing plants, storage facilities, and distribution networks necessary to support the NGEP and other gas-related initiatives.
The Federal Government has accelerated efforts to enhance gas availability through key initiatives such as the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) and the NGEP.
These programmes are designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuels, promote cleaner energy alternatives, and support economic diversification.
In the area of gas-powered mobility, the PCNGI has invested over $450 million in developing Nigeria’s compressed natural gas (CNG) value chain.
This investment covers CNG refueling stations, vehicle conversion infrastructure, and capacity-building programmes aimed at promoting the adoption of gas as a cleaner and more cost-effective transportation fuel.
While relatively new to Nigeria, coal bed methane (CBM) has significant potential as an alternative energy source. Unlike conventional natural gas extracted from underground reservoirs, CBM is sourced directly from coal seams, where methane is adsorbed onto the surface of coal particles.
The decision to pioneer coal bed methane production in Benue State represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy landscape. As the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and boost gas availability, unconventional resources like CBM offer a promising pathway to achieving energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
With strong government support, strategic investments, and collaborative efforts between national and state stakeholders, Benue State is poised to become a key player in Nigeria’s emerging gas economy.
The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other states, paving the way for Nigeria to fully harness its vast natural gas resources for national development.
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