TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited has announced plans to commission a five-megawatt solar power facility at OML 58, aimed at supplying electricity to the Ubeta Gas Project and reducing the environmental footprint of its operations in Nigeria.
Mathieu Bouyer, Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, revealed the development during the “Capitalising on Africa’s Global Upstream Momentum” panel at the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja. He described the solar installation as a key step toward establishing Ubeta Gas as one of the world’s first near-net-zero gas developments.
The plant will provide a dedicated power source for OML 58, decreasing reliance on conventional energy and helping lower the carbon intensity of production.
Bouyer emphasized that TotalEnergies’ strategy in Nigeria focuses on two main pillars: boosting oil and gas production while expanding electricity generation through integrated power solutions, supporting the company’s global goal of delivering more energy with fewer emissions.
Central to this strategy is the Ubeta Gas Project, which is designed to supply up to 300 million cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria’s domestic market. Bouyer also noted that several additional projects are under review as the company aims to strengthen its upstream presence amid global competition for investment capital.
On environmental initiatives, Bouyer highlighted that TotalEnergies ended routine gas flaring in Nigeria in 2023 and has installed 2,500 Permanent Emission Monitoring Systems across its operations. The company has also deployed advanced methane detection technology, AUSEA, to track and manage emissions in real time.
Industry observers at NIES noted that integrating solar power into upstream operations reflects a wider shift among international oil companies toward lower-carbon projects, driven by sustainability goals and investor expectations.
Bouyer also stressed the importance of partnerships with local operators, citing long-term collaborations with AMNI, Conoil, and Sapetro. He pointed to projects like the Egina FPSO and Akpo Condensate as examples of successful joint ventures. Ongoing initiatives include offshore resource appraisal with Conoil and planned exploration with Sapetro.
Beyond corporate strategy, TotalEnergies engaged with students visiting its exhibition booth, highlighting the company’s commitment to knowledge transfer and developing the next generation of energy professionals.
