The European Union (EU) through its Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, on Monday, noted that the region was ready to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria in the energy sector.
This comes as European countries continue their quest to wean themselves from dependency on Russia for their supply of Liquiefied Natural Gas ( LNG) in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.
Isopi who led a European delegation, including, Ambassador of Portugal, Luis Barros; Ambassador of Spain, Juan Sell; Ambassador of Italy, Stefano De Leo and Deputy Head of Mission (France), Olivier Chatelais, on a courtesy call on the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, said the region was ready to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria in the energy sector.
According to Isopi, with the current geopolitical situation in Europe, the continent was interested in strengthening its cooperation with Nigeria particularly in the area of possible increase in the supplies of Liquiefied Natural Gas LNG).
“Nigeria is the fourth gas supplier to Europe. At least 40 percent of the Nigerian LNG is currently exported to Europe. We are not only major clients for Nigeria, we are also major partners in the Oil & Gas Sector because some of the companies that are working with you are from Europe. So we share the same interest and same objectives,” Isopi added.
On his part, GMD/CEO NNPC Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari assured the European delegation that the company would continue to deepen its historical relationship with EU companies in Nigeria in order to add more value to its business, particularly towards increasing gas supply to the global market and enhancing domestic gas utilisation.
Nigeria terminal is currently running on six trains, has an LNG production capacity of 22.2 Million tons per annum, Mtpa, which is expected to increase to 30Mtpa by 2030.