TotalEnergies and Nigerian indigenous oil and gas firm AMNI International have approved an $800 million investment to develop Nigeria’s long-delayed Ima Gas Project, paving the way for the commercial exploitation of a gas field discovered more than five decades ago.

The partners have reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the offshore project, located within Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 112 and 117 in shallow waters near Bonny Island, Rivers State.

Discovered in 1973, the Ima gas field remained undeveloped for over 50 years despite its potential to strengthen Nigeria’s gas supply and support the country’s liquefied natural gas export capacity.

The Federal Government puts the project’s investment value at $800 million, while TotalEnergies disclosed that its own investment in the development would exceed $600 million.

Gas Production Expected to Begin in 2028

According to TotalEnergies, the Ima Gas Project is expected to commence production in 2028, with output projected to reach 350 million standard cubic feet per day at peak capacity.

This volume is equivalent to more than 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily, making the development a significant addition to Nigeria’s gas production infrastructure.

The project will feature a single offshore platform connected to Nigeria LNG’s facilities through a 22-kilometre pipeline.

TotalEnergies will operate the project with a 40 per cent ownership stake, while AMNI International holds the remaining 60 per cent interest.

Ima Project to Supply One-Third of NLNG Train 7 Gas Needs

A major objective of the development is to provide additional gas feedstock for Nigeria LNG’s ongoing Train 7 expansion project.

Once operational, Ima is expected to supply approximately one-third of the gas required for Train 7, which is designed to increase NLNG’s liquefaction capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million tonnes annually.

The additional gas supply is expected to support Nigeria’s LNG production ambitions and strengthen its capacity to serve international energy markets.

The project is therefore positioned as an important component of efforts to expand the country’s gas export infrastructure and maximise the commercial value of its natural resources.

Project to Prioritise Local Content

The development is expected to create opportunities for Nigerian businesses and workers, with TotalEnergies indicating that all key contractors involved in the project will be local companies.

Approximately 60 per cent of the workforce during the development phase is also expected to be sourced from host communities.

The arrangement is expected to support local participation, create employment opportunities and encourage the growth of indigenous capacity within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

AMNI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunde J. Afolabi, described the investment decision as a reflection of investor confidence in Nigeria and the longstanding relationship between the two companies.

Low-Emission Design to Guide Gas Development

The Ima Gas Project has been designed with measures intended to reduce operational emissions.

These include supplying electricity from shore, eliminating routine gas flaring and installing permanent methane detection and monitoring systems.

The development’s simplified offshore platform design is also intended to support efficient operations while limiting its environmental footprint.

Government Reforms Support Investment Decision

President Bola Tinubu welcomed the investment decision, attributing the development to reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s oil and gas investment environment.

The Federal Government has introduced policy measures and incentives intended to improve the commercial viability of gas projects, reduce investment barriers and encourage the development of previously stranded resources.

The Presidency said the Ima project could contribute to industrialisation, foreign exchange earnings, employment generation and stronger energy supply.

The development also reflects the growing participation of indigenous companies in major energy projects, alongside international operators and Nigerian financial institutions.

Focus Shifts to Project Execution

With the Final Investment Decision now secured, attention will turn to the construction and delivery of the Ima Gas Project ahead of its targeted 2028 production start.

The project represents a major step towards commercialising a gas discovery that has remained undeveloped since 1973.

If delivered as planned, Ima could provide a substantial new source of feedstock for Nigeria LNG, support the Train 7 expansion and create additional opportunities for Nigerian businesses and host communities.

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