The European Union is seeking additional gas supplies from Nigeria as the bloc prepares for potential Russian supply cuts, Matthew Baldwin, deputy director general of the European Commission's energy department, said on Saturday.
Baldwin was speaking in Nigeria where he held meetings with officials from Africa's largest oil producer this week.
He was told that Nigeria was improving security in the Niger Delta and planned to re-open the Trans Niger pipeline after August, which would yield more gas exports to Europe.
The EU imports 14% of its total LNG supplies from Nigeria and there is potential to more than double this, Baldwin told Reuters by phone.
Oil and gas output in Nigeria is being throttled by theft and vandalism of pipelines, leaving gas producer Nigeria LNG Ltd's terminal at Bonny Island operating at 60% capacity.
"If we can get up to beyond 80%, at that point, there might be additional LNG that could be available for spot cargoes to come to Europe," Baldwin said.
"They (Nigerian officials) said to us, 'Come and talk to us again at the end of August because we think we can deliver real progress on this'."
Nigeria NLG is owned by state-oil company NNPC Ltd, Shell, TotalEnergies and Eni.
The European Commission said on Wednesday that EU member states should cut their gas use by 15% from August to March. The target would initially be voluntary, but would become mandatory if the Commission declared an emergency.
Last year, Nigeria exported 23 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas to the EU, but the figure has been declining over the years. In 2018 the bloc bought 36 bcm of LNG from Nigeria, Baldwin said.
Latest Stories
-
Africa Development Council urges ECOWAS action amid Togo’s constitutional crisis
49 mins -
Situate power sector challenges within the context of the 4th Republic – Jantuah
1 hour -
Empowering Youth through IT Education: IT For Youth Ghana College leads the way
1 hour -
Trump criminal case: Full 12-person jury seated in Manhattan
2 hours -
Israel Gaza: US again warns against Rafah offensive
2 hours -
Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky
2 hours -
Over 100 arrested as US college Gaza protest cleared
2 hours -
Justmoh Construction begins work on dualization of Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta road
2 hours -
MGL visits Dumor family following passing of Mawuena Trebarh
2 hours -
In Pursuit of Peace and Unity: Interfaith Leaders Promote Dialogue – Chief Doli-Wura to Africa Union
3 hours -
TEWU raises concern over quality of food served in SHS
3 hours -
Ghanaian students gear up for Robotics World Championship
4 hours -
Political interference makes public sector managers appear incompetent – Dr Manteaw
4 hours -
Police arrest truck driver alleged to have caused train crash
4 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC depart to Cairo ahead of semis first leg against Zamalek
4 hours