Power Production using Natural Gas in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges and Way Forward
Authors: Ekpu M, Obadina OB
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
Power is an important aspect of most countries’ economic activities especially that of Nigeria. Nigeria is capable of generating about 11,788 MW of electricity from gas power stations in Nigeria. It has become clear that the gas produced in Nigeria is not fully utilised for power production in Nigeria because most of the gas produced is exported. This leaves the Nigerian power sector with reduced amount of gas to produce electricity. Therefore, understanding the trends, challenges, and the way-forward of power production using natural gas in Nigeria is very significant. This research work analysed the gas production and consumption rate data from 1980 to 2018. In addition, the volume of export and demand from 2011 to 2015 was investigated. The variations/fluctuations observed in the production and consumption of gas in Nigeria is attributed to challenges such as insecurity, corruption, pipeline vandalisation, and so many other vices identified in this work. In addition, it was observed that as gas is being exported from Nigeria to other countries, the local demand for the product increased as well. This work showed that the amount of gas flared from 2001 to 2018 reduced from 64.48% to 18.71%. This research proffered solutions on how gas production and utilisation can be effective in order to improve power in Nigerian.
Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delta State University Abraka, Oleh Campus, Delta State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Gas Production, Power, Gas Flaring, Challenges, Economy
Published date: 2020/12/30
