A new bill aimed at banning gas flaring in Nigeria, aligning with international environmental standards, and promoting sustainability is set to be considered for a second reading in the House of Representatives next week.
The bill, sponsored by Babajimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, seeks to encourage the use of natural gas resources for economic growth while reducing carbon emissions.
In 2022, the Federal Government launched the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, with the goal of achieving zero routine gas flaring within a decade. The government also ratified the Paris Climate Agreement and committed to the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership’s target of eliminating routine flaring by 2030, while aiming for a national flare-out by 2025.
Titled the “Anti-Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Enforcement) Act, 2024,” the bill seeks to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas in Nigeria, except in rare and specific circumstances. It also aims to promote the economic use of associated natural gas, ensure Nigeria’s adherence to international climate change agreements, and set up a framework for enforcement, monitoring, and penalties for non-compliance.
If passed into law, the bill would apply to all oil and gas operators, licensees, and contractors involved in petroleum exploration, production, and processing in both onshore and offshore fields. It covers both routine and emergency gas flaring and venting.
Part IV (5) of the bill states that gas flaring or venting will only be allowed for immediate safety reasons or if expressly authorised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for specific, time-limited purposes.
Additionally, the proposed law requires all operators to submit gas utilisation plans outlining how they will capture, process, and commercialise gas that would otherwise be flared. They must also report flaring incidents to the NUPRC, including details on the volume flared, reasons for flaring, and preventive measures taken. The NUPRC will oversee the implementation of gas capture infrastructure by operators.
The bill imposes penalties for violations, including fines of $5 per 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas flared or a higher amount set by the NUPRC. Repeat offenders could face suspension of operations, license withdrawal, or facility closures. Operators that fail to report flaring incidents or falsify data could be fined at least ₦50 million and face criminal prosecution.
The bill also includes provisions for affected communities to seek compensation and environmental restoration from the NUPRC, which will ensure that operators are held accountable for any damages caused by gas flaring.