TotalEnergies Plans 5MW Solar Plant for Ubeta Gas Project

TotalEnergies is set to commission a five-megawatt solar facility at OML 58 to power operations linked to the Ubeta Gas Project, part of a broader strategy to cut operational emissions while expanding Nigeria’s energy supply.

The disclosure was made by the Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Mathieu Bouyer, during a session on Africa’s upstream investment outlook at the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja. He explained that the solar installation forms a core component of the Ubeta development, which the company hopes will become one of the first near-net-zero gas projects globally.

According to Bouyer, the plant will provide a dedicated electricity source for production activities at OML 58, helping reduce dependence on traditional power systems and lowering the environmental footprint of gas extraction.

He noted that the company’s Nigerian strategy focuses on growing overall energy output while simultaneously reducing emissions intensity. This approach rests on expanding oil and gas production and integrating electricity solutions into operations — reflecting the company’s global commitment to delivering more energy with fewer emissions.

Bouyer stated that the immediate priority is extracting greater value from the company’s current portfolio, including onshore gas fields and offshore oil assets. A central element is the Ubeta project, which is expected to supply up to 300 million cubic feet of gas daily to Nigeria’s domestic market.

He added that several additional developments are being assessed as the company seeks to strengthen its presence in Nigeria amid increasing global competition for upstream capital.

On environmental progress, Bouyer said the firm ended routine gas flaring across its Nigerian assets in 2023, describing the move as a key milestone in its decarbonisation programme. He also noted the deployment of advanced methane-tracking systems, including proprietary monitoring technology that enables real-time emissions detection and rapid intervention.

More than 2,500 permanent emissions-monitoring installations have also been deployed across production sites to improve transparency and measurement accuracy.

Industry analysts at the summit observed that integrating renewable energy into upstream production reflects a broader shift among international operators in Nigeria as investors increasingly prioritise lower-carbon projects.

Bouyer further emphasised the importance of partnerships with indigenous companies in accelerating development timelines and improving local economic value. He cited collaborations with firms such as AMNI, Conoil and Sapetro, highlighting projects like Egina and Akpo as evidence of successful international-local cooperation.

He confirmed that deep-water resource appraisal work continues with Conoil, while exploration drilling is being planned with Sapetro.

Beyond business discussions, Bouyer and senior executives also engaged with visiting students at the company’s exhibition stand, underscoring TotalEnergies’ interest in skills transfer and talent development within Nigeria’s energy sector.