SUN NOV 15 2026-theGBJournal| NNPC Limited has advanced its methane emissions reporting to Level 3 of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0) framework, strengthening its capacity to measure, report and verify emissions against international standards, the company said at the ongoing COP31 climate conference.
Chinedu Igwe, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, disclosed this while presenting the company’s progress at a session on “Accelerating Global Methane Mitigation in Emerging Economies”, convened by the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC) at the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) pavilion in the Blue Zone.
The session brought together representatives of international energy companies, including Petrobras and PETRONAS, to discuss strategies for accelerating methane reductions in emerging economies.
Igwe said NNPC’s progress had been driven by improved emissions data, stronger reporting systems and a change in operational culture, adding that the company had established a framework that could serve as a reference for other operators across Africa.
“Reporting gives us a clear story to tell management and a practical tool for engaging our operators. Our report is on the MiST platform developed by Carbon Limits for independent feedback, and we have carried out leak detection and repair (LDAR) on one of our assets, which is now close to Level 4. This allows us to track our carbon footprint from where we were to where we are and where we are headed,” he noted.
He said the company’s progress demonstrated that credible emissions measurement, reporting and verification systems could be established in emerging economies within a relatively short period.
Panellists agreed that methane emissions could be reduced to near zero without compromising energy security, affordability and sustainability, arguing that countries should not be forced to make energy choices that undermine their economies.
On the sidelines of COP31, NNPC Limited, led by its Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Hauwa Mshelia, held exploratory discussions on project financing and development with representatives of the Inclusive Climate Action Fund (ICAF) and ANTAN Producing Limited.
The Managing Director of NNPC New Energy Limited (NNEL), Haruna Abdurrahman, also attended the meeting.
The OGDC used the conference to launch its 2026 status report on emissions mitigation, which assesses member companies’ interim ambitions, methane and gas-flaring action plans, and progress in emissions measurement and delivery.
NNPC Limited’s contribution to the report highlighted how the company developed the capacity to measure its carbon footprint and establish a credible reporting and verification system within 12 to 18 months.
The company joined the OGDC at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The charter, conceived by the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), provides a platform for oil and gas companies to collaborate and share technical expertise in reducing emissions through credible measurement and reporting.
At the Nigerian Pavilion, NNPC Limited also led a high-level panel discussion titled “Decarbonising Africa’s Value Chain: The Role of National Energy Companies, Finance and Strategic Partnerships”.
Philemon Yilleng, Manager, Sustainability Strategy, Standards and Policy at NNPC Limited, identified natural gas as central to the company’s energy transition strategy, saying it was prioritising gas development while strengthening operational measures to reduce emissions.
He said the company was pursuing investments in parallel rather than sequentially, expanding gas production and utilisation while investing in renewable energy and working with regulators, joint venture partners and financiers to embed sustainability across its operations.
Stephanie Saunier, Managing Director of Carbon Limits, commended NNPC Limited’s emissions measurement, reporting and verification framework, saying the credible data it generated was important to investors.
NNPC Limited also participated in the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Leaders Roundtable on “Delivering Methane Emissions Reduction Across Waste and Energy”.
At the meeting, Ikechukwu Aturuobi, Manager, Sustainability Partnerships at NNPC Limited, joined other industry leaders to examine practical approaches to reducing methane emissions across the waste and energy sectors.
The company’s sustainability programme operates under the theme “Action Not Words”, with its pathway to net zero anchored on a verified emissions baseline.
By 2030, NNPC Limited aims to eliminate routine gas flaring and reduce methane emissions. Its longer-term target for 2050 includes deploying low-carbon technologies, electrifying operations, increasing renewable energy use and adopting carbon capture and storage.
The company’s participation at COP31 comes as methane reduction and emissions transparency remain central to efforts to decarbonise the global oil and gas industry, particularly in emerging economies seeking to balance climate commitments with energy security and economic development.
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