The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPC Ltd) and TotalEnergies, a pioneer in detecting Emissions in real-life condition, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement and incorporate the cutting-edge Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Application (AUSEA) into NNPC Ltd upstream operations. Their collaboration stems from NNPC Ltd attendance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, held in Dubai, UAE. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the Executive Vice President of NNPC Ltd Upstream division and Managing Director and Country Chair of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, representing their respective companies, penned the agreement.
In a communique issued by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPC Ltd., it was revealed that the company has reached an agreement to utilize the innovative TotalEnergies AUSEA, a methane detection Technology that accurately measures the extent of methane emissions from these sites. The aim is to devise effective strategies to reduce these emissions and contribute towards the global fight against climate change and its detrimental effects. Methane possesses a notable global warming capacity that surpasses that of CO2 by 28 times, despite having a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere. The reduction of methane emissions holds great significance, and TotalEnergies aims to set an exceptional precedent in this domain.
This will ensure effective methane emission reduction strategies.
Elaborating on the deal, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President of NNPC Ltd, Upstream division, emphasizes that the pilot stage of TotalEnergies AUSEA implementation will take place within NNPC Ltd own operations. This arrangement will empower the company to implement effective strategies in reducing methane emissions. The TotalEnergies AUSEA technology offers additional advantages such as the detection of unidentified sources of emissions and the creation of a foundation to enhance and question existing procedures for reporting emissions.
Additionally, it will contribute to supplying information for scrutinizing the functioning system and introducing adjustments, as well as assessing the effectiveness of flare combustion. The signing of the agreement took place in the presence of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, and Patrick Pouyanné, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies. In his address at the gathering, Kyari expressed his admiration for TotalEnergies, recognizing them as a long-standing, dependable collaborator. He was excited about their shared enthusiasm for delving into extensive prospects within the country’s energy sphere.
$6b investments to be committed on gas and offshore projects.
Remarking, Pouyanné mentioned that his company is extending the technological advancements to NNPC Ltd, as a testament to their dedication in endorsing conscientious hydrocarbon production. He commended NNPC Ltd for seamlessly transforming to a limited liability entity, emphasizing the tremendous impact the reforms have fostered, both within the organization and across the entire industry. As the NNPC Ltd joined hands with TotalEnergies, it makes it the fourth oil and gas company at the national level to establish an agreement for utilizing AUSEA.
Moreover, TotalEnergies had previously to agreed similar plans to implement AUSEA in Angola, Azerbaijan, and Brazil. In addition to this, the company stated that it has achieved the milestone of being the foremost hydrocarbon operator in Nigeria to completely eradicate routine flaring from its operated assets. Also, the company revealed plans to allocate a massive sum of $6 billion (approximately €5.5 billion) for investments in future years, with a particular focus on gas and offshore projects.
AUSEA sensor can accurately measure methane emission.
TotalEnergies AUSEA technology incorporates a sensor that is attached to a drone, designed specifically to detect ultralight levels of CO2 and CH4. This sensor is exceptionally accurate and can swiftly access emission points that are typically challenging to reach. By utilizing diode laser spectrometers, the sensor can accurately measure and determine methane emissions, achieving an extraordinary level of precision that surpasses 1 kg/h. The ultimate goal is to incorporate the technology into a flawless and independent framework.
