NMDPRA gas code to widen pipeline access for shippers

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has unveiled a revised gas transportation code aimed at enhancing access for gas shippers, decreasing unnecessary losses, and strengthening the framework for transporting gas across Nigeria and Africa. NMDPRA CEO Rabiu Umar announced the revision at the 2026 OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos.

The updated Revision 2 of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code establishes clearer rules for shippers and transporters utilizing the country's pipeline network, particularly as new infrastructure expands transportation capacity. Umar highlighted that Revision 1 has already led to a 30% reduction in the imbalance on the Western Network, with more shippers joining the network since its introduction.

The revised code provides rules governing gas producers' injection into shared pipelines, volume measurement, and shipper nominations of transported quantities. It also clarifies gas transportation rules as Nigeria expands its pipeline infrastructure, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline. Umar emphasized that the revised code will address technical and commercial issues that may cause losses when gas moves through shared infrastructure, such as the shrinkage factor, which measures gas lost or used during transportation and processing.

The revised code will also support cross-border gas transportation by offering a common framework for handling gas flows between countries, as Nigeria participates in regional gas transportation through the West African Gas Pipeline and proposes projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline to Algeria and the Trans-African Pipeline to Morocco.

Umar stated that the revision is a significant step towards a framework that could support wider regional gas trade and the development of interconnected pipeline networks, aligning with Nigeria's broader goals of increasing domestic gas utilization, attracting investment, and improving energy access.