NUPRC: Deploys Digital Methane Tracker for Emissions Oversight

• The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has deployed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Emission Tracker (NOGIET) to enhance methane emission monitoring.
• NOGIET combines satellite-based detection with facility-level measurements to identify pollution hotspots and improve regulatory enforcement.
• The platform supports Nigeria's goal to cut methane emissions by 60% by 2035 and aligns with the 2022 NUPRC methane emissions guidelines.
• Operators are mandated by the 2022 guidelines to transition from estimation-based to measurement-based emissions reporting by the first quarter of 2027.
• Developed by the Stakeholder Democracy Network with Global Methane Hub support, the NOGIET platform was transferred to NUPRC at no cost.

This advanced system is designed to significantly improve the quality of emissions data available to regulators, enabling more targeted monitoring of oil and gas facilities.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has intensified its efforts to mitigate methane emissions within the oil and gas industry by formally adopting a new digital monitoring platform. This system, known as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Emission Tracker (NOGIET), is poised to bolster regulatory oversight by integrating satellite-based methane detection with precise, facility-level emissions measurements. Its primary function is to enable regulators to pinpoint pollution hotspots, identify inconsistencies in operator reports, and enhance enforcement actions.

The official handover of the NOGIET platform took place at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, accepted the system, with Captain John Tonlagha, the Executive Commissioner for Health, Safety, Environment, and Community, representing her at the event. The development of this sophisticated digital methane tracker deployment was a collaborative endeavor involving the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), which received financial and technical backing from the Global Methane Hub. SDN confirmed that the platform, including both its front-end and back-end components, was transferred to the NUPRC at no cost, marking a significant step in the commission's digital transformation agenda.

This strategic deployment forms a crucial part of the NUPRC's broader initiative to implement its 2022 Guidelines for the Management of Fugitive Methane and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector. These NUPRC methane emissions guidelines introduce a significant regulatory shift, mandating that operators transition from estimation-based emissions reporting to a more accurate, measurement-based system. This critical change is required to be fully implemented by the first quarter of 2027.

The NOGIET platform is specifically designed to facilitate compliance with these stringent new requirements. By providing more robust and verifiable data, it will enable the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to effectively monitor the industry's adherence to the guidelines, ensuring that the shift to measurement-based reporting is not only adopted but also accurately executed across all upstream operations. This move underscores the commission's commitment to enhancing the credibility and reliability of emissions data.

The NOGIET platform's advanced capabilities are expected to significantly improve the quality of emissions data available to regulators, enabling more targeted monitoring of oil and gas facilities. By integrating satellite-based methane plume detection with regulatory mapping of oil blocks and pipelines, alongside facility-level measurements, the system will empower regulators to identify emission hotspots, detect discrepancies in reported data, prioritize inspections, and strengthen compliance monitoring.

This initiative is central to Nigeria's commitment to achieving a 60% methane reduction target by 2035. The NOGIET platform also aligns with the nation's broader environmental objectives, including the cessation of routine gas flaring by 2030 and the ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2060. Furthermore, the platform is designed for joint utilization by both the NUPRC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, fostering coordinated methane monitoring across the entire oil and gas value chain and ensuring a unified approach to environmental stewardship.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Nigeria's upstream oil and gas sector should advise clients to prepare for heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement regarding methane emissions. The NUPRC's new digital tracker (NOGIET) will facilitate more accurate monitoring and detection of inconsistencies, making compliance with the 2022 Guidelines for the Management of Fugitive Methane and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, particularly the Q1 2027 deadline for measurement-based reporting, critical to avoid potential penalties.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper