Nigeria’s yearly gas flare can power about 200,000 buses, says expert

The quantity of gas flared in Nigeria yearly has the capacity to power up to 200,000 commercial buses or trucks on gas engines if processed into compressed natural gas (CNG), the Chief Executive Director (CEO) of Etefa GmbH, Johann Rieger, has said.

Rieger who disclosed this in Lagos at a press briefing on Flare Gas Recovery in Nigeria organised by Powergas Nigeria and Etefa with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Commercial Section of the Austrian Embassy in Nigeria, said Nigeria flares over seven billion Standard Cubic Meter (SCM1) of natural gas, which can also translate to twice the capacity of the nation’s power generation if processed for use.

According to him, recovery and utilisation of flared gas will contribute positively to the Nigerian economy by bringing down fuel and energy costs, which will have a trickle-down effect on food prices, transportation costs and ultimately rein in inflation.

The Etefa boss stated that with the abundant reserves of 188 trillion cubic feet (TCF), Nigeria has the largest gas reserves in Africa and as a domestically available natural resource, effective utilization is extremely important for import substitution of liquid fuels and forex savings.

The essence of the alliance with Powergas he said has birthed the Clean and Environmentally Sustainable Transportation (CEST) Program, which seeks to introduce gas-fired city buses for public transport, which would intend reduce transportation cost for Nigerians who spend up to 40 per cent of their monthly income on public transport

“For this reason, the CEST Program has initiated a pilot project for refurbishment and conversion of city buses and trucks in Lagos and the Niger Delta from diesel to gas towards the utilisation of flared gas.

The General Manager, Commercial Powergas Global investment, Sumeet Singh remarked that the project which is worth a fortune from the gas side would span for 18 months.

Singh noted that Powergas would provide all the necessary infrastructure for compressed natural gas (CNG) supply while Etefa supplies efficient gas engines and associated technology, while fostering local talent and employment with technology transfer and strategic knowledge sharing.

He cited that even Indian who imports her gas from Nigeria has almost all her vehicles on gas engines; hence gas is the next big thing in Nigeria considering it as one of the most environmental friendly energy sources.

Gas flare monetisation projects he maintained can potentially save Nigeria over $2.5 billion per year by reducing fuels costs in the transportation and power generation sector by over 30%

Nigeria’s annual diesel importation he noted is the same as the natural gas being flared annually and its quality according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) hardly fulfills EURO 1 emission standards because of its high Sulphur content.

The projects’ ultimate goal is not only to utilise flared gas, but to improve environmental and health conditions by reduction of emissions, as well as lower the cost of public and commercial transportation in Nigeria.