Nigeria’s natural gas production increased by nearly 3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, while gas flaring declined by more than 8 percent during the same period, according to new industry data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Analysis of the commission’s latest gas production performance reports showed that total gas output rose to 687.09 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026 from 667.27 billion standard cubic feet recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The increase of about 19.82 billion standard cubic feet reflected gradual expansion across Nigeria’s gas sector as the country intensifies efforts to deepen gas commercialisation, industrial utilisation and export capacity.
Monthly production figures showed mixed performance during the quarter.
Gas production in January 2026 stood at 233.96 billion standard cubic feet, slightly below the 236.32 billion standard cubic feet recorded in January 2025. Output, however, strengthened in subsequent months, with February production rising to 212.62 billion standard cubic feet from 199.68 billion standard cubic feet a year earlier.
March production also increased to 240.51 billion standard cubic feet compared to 231.28 billion standard cubic feet recorded in March 2025, making it the highest monthly output level during the review period.
The reports also showed continued improvement in flare reduction across upstream operations.
Total gas flared during the first quarter of 2026 declined to 46.83 billion standard cubic feet from 50.95 billion standard cubic feet recorded in the same period of 2025.
The reduction of approximately 4.12 billion standard cubic feet translated to an 8 percent year-on-year decline in flared volumes.
Average flare intensity also improved during the period, declining from about 7.65 percent in Q1 2025 to roughly 6.81 percent in Q1 2026, indicating that operators captured a larger proportion of produced gas for commercial use rather than flaring.
Monthly flare rates similarly trended lower across the quarter. January flare intensity eased to 7.34 percent from 7.92 percent recorded a year earlier, while February declined to 6.62 percent from 7.94 percent. March flare rates also dropped to 6.48 percent compared to 7.08 percent in March 2025.
Further analysis of the figures showed a shift in the structure of Nigeria’s gas production.
Associated gas production, which is produced alongside crude oil extraction, declined from 370.28 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 to 332.82 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026.
In contrast, non-associated gas production increased significantly during the same period, rising from 296.99 billion standard cubic feet to 354.17 billion standard cubic feet.
The development points to increasing contributions from standalone gas projects and dedicated gas developments rather than oil-linked production sources.
Export gas sales also recorded strong growth during the quarter.
According to the NUPRC data, export gas volumes increased from 223.99 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 to 292.87 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026, representing growth of about 30.8 percent year-on-year.
Industry analysts linked the increase to improved liquefied natural gas export performance and stronger international demand for Nigerian gas supplies.
Domestic gas sales, however, recorded a decline during the same period.
The data showed that domestic gas supply fell from 186.98 billion standard cubic feet in the first quarter of 2025 to 171.15 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026, representing a drop of about 8.5 percent.
The decline has raised concerns about gas availability for local power generation and industrial activities despite rising overall production volumes.
Despite increased production, total utilised gas remained relatively stable during the quarter.
Utilised gas stood at 639.91 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 compared to 639.68 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026, reflecting improved operational efficiency and lower flare volumes.
Nigeria holds proven gas reserves estimated at about 215.19 trillion cubic feet, with the federal government continuing to position natural gas as a key transition fuel for industrial development, power generation, petrochemical expansion and export earnings.
Regulators have also intensified measures aimed at reducing routine gas flaring through stricter compliance enforcement and flare gas commercialization initiatives under programmes such as the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Program.