TotalEnergies Nigeria says it plans to begin production from its 70,000 barrels-per-day Ima oilfield project in 2026, further strengthening its investment drive in the country’s energy sector.

Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Oil & Gas Energy Week in Abuja, the company’s Country Chair and Managing Director, Matthieu Bouyer, revealed that Ima is a shallow water project and part of the firm’s strategy to increase output from Nigerian operations. This follows the launch of the 70,000bpd Ubeta project last year, meaning the company will be producing 140,000bpd from both fields within four years.

Bouyer praised recent reforms in the industry, saying they have helped speed up project approvals. He noted that the Final Investment Decision for Ubeta was reached within just three months, thanks to the support of regulators like the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

He also reaffirmed TotalEnergies’ long-term commitment to Nigeria, despite the withdrawal of some international oil companies. According to him, the firm has continued drilling in the country’s deep offshore for the past two and a half years and remains confident in Nigeria’s energy future.

TotalEnergies has been involved in several large-scale projects in Nigeria over the last 15 years, including Egina, Ikike, and Akpo West. Bouyer also highlighted the company’s involvement in Nigeria LNG’s Train 7, which the Ubeta gas project will support.

In line with its sustainability goals, Bouyer said the firm ended routine gas flaring in 2023 and now supplies that gas to the domestic market. He added that they are using drone technology, in collaboration with NNPC, to detect and reduce methane leaks.

The company is also participating in Nigeria’s 2024 marginal oilfield licensing round and working with NNPC on the ENTPON discovery made two years ago.

Bouyer said TotalEnergies is determined to keep investing in Nigeria and sees strong potential for continued growth in the country’s oil and gas sector.