Nigeria's Dangote refinery expands gas deals with NNPC to secure fuel for expansion programmes

By Isaac Anyaogu LAGOS, Feb 2 (Reuters) -

Three Dangote Group subsidiaries said on Monday they had bolstered gas ‌supply contracts with NNPC units to support expansion plans, aligning with Nigeria's shift toward cleaner energy and ⁠industrial growth. Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Plant and Dangote Cement Plc said on Monday the contracts were signed with Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited ​and NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company at the Nigeria Gas Master ‍Plan 2026 in Abuja. They did not disclose the contracted volumes.

Nigeria launched the master plan on Friday, aimed at fixing the gas sector by expanding ⁠infrastructure, improving ‌supply, attracting investment ⁠and making gas a key driver of economic growth. The plan targets raising national ‍output to 10 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) by 2027 from about ​8 bcf/d currently, and to 12 bcf/d by 2030, while ⁠attracting more than $60 billion in investments across the gas value chain.

Minister of State for ⁠Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo said the plan shifts from policy drafting to execution, emphasizing that Nigeria's challenge lies in converting its ⁠reserves into reliable supply and economic value NNPC Ltd Group CEO Bashir ⁠Bayo Ojulari ‌said the plan aims to boost national gas production, optimise costs and attract new investment while strengthening supply ⁠to users.