By Els William
Seplat Energy plc, in partnership with NNPC Limited, has achieved a landmark milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector: the first-ever domestic supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – butane – from the Bonny River Terminal (BRT) in Rivers State. Historically, LPG from BRT was exclusively exported. This inaugural domestic loading involved 12,600 metric tonnes, marking a strategic pivot towards reinforcing local energy accessibility.
This milestone comes against the backdrop of Seplat’s broader infrastructure investments aimed at reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported cooking gas. Speaking on behalf of the company, CEO Roger Brown said, “Usage of gas and LPG is on the rise in Nigeria, and reliable supply is critical in ensuring energy security in-country as well as reducing carbon emissions and other harmful air pollutants. At Seplat, we are proud to be driving this transformation, delivering cleaner energy solutions that empower communities and drive inclusive growth.”
Seplat’s expansion includes two key new plants: a 300 MMscfd gas plant in Imo State and a 90 MMscfd plant in Delta State, producing 120 MT and 163 MT of LPG per day, respectively, both scheduled for full operation in Q4 2025. Once functional, these facilities will significantly amplify Nigeria’s domestic LPG supply capabilities. The company also reports an impressive domestic gas infrastructure network of over 850 MMscfd across Nigeria—excluding gas from the Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) acquisition, through which Seplat inherited a 51% stake in the Bonny River NGL facility. Current estimates show Seplat supports about 30% of the country’s domestic gas demand.
Strategic partnerships also strengthen Seplat’s position. A recent preliminary agreement with NLNG promises to increase supply to the Bonny export terminal by over 12%, with Seplat set to deliver upward of 150,000 metric tons of gas monthly—helpful for stabilizing NLNG operations amid disruptions to pipeline supply. Seplat’s steps are well-aligned with Nigeria’s LPG expansion ambitions to grow from 500 MTPA (metric tons per annum) to 15 million MTPA by 2030. The federal government, under its National LPG Expansion and Implementation Plan, envisions investing billions in infrastructure like bottling plants, storage, distribution, and safety-equipped cylinders—one of several efforts to replace biomass and kerosene with clean gas solutions.
For households currently reliant on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene—fuel sources responsible for health hazards and deforestation—the shift towards local LPG production offers cleaner, safer, and cost-effective cooking options. Greater local supply also curbs the high cost of imports, preserves foreign exchange, and resolves supply irregularities plaguing downstream markets. Economically, increased production creates jobs across the gas value chain—from plant operations to logistics and retail. Environmentally, rapid departure from traditional fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions markedly, aligning with global sustainability goals and Nigeria’s own energy transition.
Moreover, Seplat’s rising gas footprint—70% of Nigeria’s domestic LPG now originating from national sources—diminishes dependency on volatile global markets and enhances resilience in energy provisioning. Yet, challenges remain: ensuring supply affordability for lower-income households, developing LPG distribution infrastructure in rural areas, and guaranteeing industry safety standards. Sustained policy support, infrastructure investment, and regulatory oversight are essential to realizing the vision of universal access to clean cooking gas.