Nigeria is blessed with massive reserves of associated and non-associated gas, estimated in excess of 160 trillion cubic feet. It is ranked amongst the 10th largest in terms of proven natural gas reserves in the world, and its natural gas reserves / production is estimated at 109 years.
Geologists insist that there is a lot more gas still to be found, if companies deliberately explore for gas, as opposed to finding it by chance whilst in search of oil.
Nigeria is one of the biggest gas flarers, in spite of the associated environmental hazards of gas flaring. The government has however set a 2008 target for zero flares.
It is expected that all the NLNG's trains running at full capacity will help put out these flares. Other LNG plants include West Delta LNG, Statoil LNG and Agip-Phillips-Brass LNG, among others. The Nigerian Gas Company currently caters for Independent Power Producers, and local industries in Lagos and other parts of the country. The proposed West African Gas Pipeline Project will make gas available to other West African countries for domestic and industrial uses.
The NLNG plant site, designed to provide scope for future expansion, and construction is currently going on for Trains 4 and 5. The Expansion Project will increase the capacity of the LNG plant to accept oil-associated gas, which is currently wasted through flaring. The use of associated gas will provide environmental improvements by reducing flaring which contributes to global warming. Pervasive gas flaring is one of the key factors that has worsened the environment of the Niger Delta, attracting concern from the international community.
NLNG's Train 3, and its LPG facilities have the capacity to process 100% associated gas at a level of 1½ bscfd. Trains 4 and 5 will increase this figure tremendously.