NUPRC to revoke gas flare permits over inaction

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued a stern warning to awardees of flare gas sites, under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (NGFCP), threatening to immediately revoke the permits of operators who fail to develop their designated sites.

Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, stated this during a working visit to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, in Abuja.

According to her, despite initial resistance from some operators, the NGFCP has continued to record significant progress. She noted that of the 43 flare gas sites originally identified for award, only 27 sites have been successfully awarded with implementation efforts ongoing.

“One year after an award has been granted, the Commission conducts an evaluation to determine whether there has been considerable progress.

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“Where there is insufficient progress, the Commission will take appropriate regulatory action, including revocation of the award where necessary,” she said.

She noted that Nigeria currently has over 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves and an estimated total reserve base of about 600 TCF.

These resources she said, provides a strong foundation for power generation, industrialisation, exports and broader economic development.

On host community development, Eyesan said the…