Nigeria’s upstream gas sector recorded a major milestone in the first half of 2026, posting total gas production of 1.43 trillion standard cubic feet (Tscf), reinforcing the growing importance of natural gas to the country’s economic diversification.
The latest production figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also revealed a significant shift in output patterns during the six-month period, with Non-associated Gas (NAG) production surpassing Associated Gas (AG) production for the first time.
This signalled a potential long-term change in upstream development priorities, as Nigeria has most times ‘stumbled’ on gas while searching for crude oil. In essence, historically, Nigeria’s gas production has been dominated by gas produced alongside oil.
However, the latest figures suggested that both international and indigenous operators are increasingly investing in dedicated gas assets, helping to establish a more reliable gas supply that is less dependent on crude oil production.
According to the data, during the first half of the year, non-associated gas production reached 717.54 billion standard cubic feet (Bscf), ahead of the 708.70 Bscf recorded for associated gas.
