Nigeria's Gas Output Surges 18.36% in H1 2026, Driven by Non-Associated Gas and Exports

Nigeria's natural gas production has shown a robust upward trend, with a significant 18.36% increase in gross output between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2026. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reveals that production climbed from 1,205,000.81 Million Standard Cubic Feet (MMSCF) to 1,426,237.86 MMSCF over this period.

The driving force behind this expansion is the remarkable growth in non-associated gas (NAG) production, which surged by 40.42% from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2026. For the first time in the reviewed three-year span, NAG output exceeded that of associated gas (AG), which is produced alongside crude oil. NAG production reached 717,539.64 MMSCF in H1 2026, accounting for 50.31% of total volumes, while AG production contracted by 6.63% year-on-year.

This shift towards NAG reflects the impact of commercial investments targeted at dedicated gas developments under the federal government's 'Decade of Gas' initiative. The country continues to position gas as a crucial transition fuel.

On the utilization front, Nigeria achieved its best commercial efficiency performance in H1 2026, with a record 92.75% of gas utilized. Gas exports were a primary catalyst for this growth, bolstered by strong international demand and increased Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) feedstock deliveries. Exports jumped by 27.70% from H1 2024 to H1 2026. While domestic commercial gas sales experienced a minor pullback in 2026, the overall supply volume remained significantly higher than in 2024, maintaining a healthy baseline for domestic industrial consumption.