NMDPRA Revises Gas Code to Widen Pipeline Access for Shippers

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has introduced revised rules governing access to Nigeria’s gas pipeline network, in a move aimed at improving transparency, reducing avoidable losses and attracting investment into the gas sector. The authority’s Chief Executive, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, announced the launch of Revision II of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code at the 2026 OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos. Umar said the revised framework would establish clearer rules for gas shippers, transporters and other users of shared pipeline infrastructure as Nigeria expands its gas transportation capacity. The network code sets out how gas producers inject supplies into pipelines, how transported volumes are measured and how shippers nominate the quantities they intend to move through the system. According to Umar, standardised procedures are necessary because multiple producers and shippers use the same infrastructure. Clear rules help prevent disputes, improve accountability and ensure that pipeline access is transparent and fair. “Since Revision 1, more shippers have come onto the network, and the imbalance on the western network has fallen by about 30 per cent. Revision 2 builds on these gains,” he said. The regulator also identified gas losses during transportation and processing as an area requiring clearer rules. Umar explained that differences in gas quality and measurement can create operational problems and avoidable costs for industry participants. He said the revised code would strengthen the framework for managing such issues and support more efficient use of existing infrastructure. ### Regional Gas Trade Beyond the domestic market, the revised framework is expected to support cross-border gas transportation by encouraging greater consistency in operating standards between countries. Nigeria already supplies neighbouring West African markets through the West African Gas Pipeline. Proposed regional projects include the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which is intended to connect Nigerian gas supplies to Algeria through Niger, and the proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline towards Morocco. Umar said compatible rules for gas measurement, communication and the transfer of ownership would be essential to moving gas across national borders without unnecessary operational complications. He emphasised that open and fair access to pipeline infrastructure was necessary to maximise the value of the country’s gas resources. ### Pipeline Expansion and Investment The code revision comes as Nigeria pursues projects intended to expand gas transportation capacity and connect supplies in the south with consumers in other parts of the country. Umar said the completion of major infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, would help increase transportation capacity from approximately 2.2 billion cubic feet per day to 4.4 billion cubic feet per day. The additional capacity is expected to improve gas delivery to power plants, manufacturing facilities and other industrial users. Umar also said Nigeria would need between $30bn and $50bn in fresh investment by 2030 to develop opportunities across the gas industry. These include processing facilities, pipelines, liquefied petroleum gas, fertiliser production and the commercialisation of gas currently being flared. He noted that demand for cooking gas continued to exceed supply, presenting opportunities for investors willing to expand domestic production and distribution infrastructure. The revised code represents a regulatory step towards improving access to gas transportation services. However, its broader impact will depend on consistent implementation, investment in infrastructure and the ability of operators to deliver reliable supplies to domestic and regional markets.