Nigerian oil mogul Tunde Afolabi’s Amni International Petroleum Development Company has taken a major step toward bringing Nigeria’s long-delayed Ima gas field into production, partnering with TotalEnergies on an $800 million development that is expected to supply about one-third of the gas required for Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 expansion.

The investment marks a major step toward commercialising the offshore field, which was discovered in 1973 but has remained undeveloped for more than five decades. Amni holds a 60% interest in the project, while TotalEnergies, the operator, owns the remaining 40%.

Located across the OML 112 and 117 licences near Bonny Island in Rivers State, the Ima field is expected to begin production in 2028 and reach a plateau output of about 350 million cubic feet of gas per day.

Ima field to supply Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 expansion

The gas will be transported through a 22-kilometre pipeline to Nigeria LNG’s Bonny Island facility, where it is expected to supply about one-third of the gas required for the company’s Train 7 expansion. Train 7 is designed to increase Nigeria LNG’s liquefaction capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million tonnes per annum, strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to convert its gas resources into export revenue.

The project’s financing is expected to include significant participation from Nigerian financial institutions, which arranged about 77% of the required funding, according to the Nigerian government. About 60% of the development workforce is also expected to come from communities hosting the project, creating opportunities for Nigerian engineers, technicians, contractors and local businesses.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the Ima development reflects recent efforts to attract investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector by reducing project costs and development timelines.

Afolabi’s Amni advances indigenous energy ambitions

For Afolabi, the Final Investment Decision (FID) marks a significant step in Amni’s development as an indigenous Nigerian exploration and production company and the commercialisation of a gas resource discovered more than five decades ago. Afolabi founded Amni International Petroleum Development Company in 1993 and serves as its chairman and CEO.

He began his career with Texaco in 1974 before joining Mobil in 1979 and has more than four decades of experience in oil and gas exploration and production. A professional geologist, Afolabi holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Franklin & Marshall College and a master’s degree in geology from Tulane University. He previously served as president of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists and is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

The Ima development also aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to accelerate investment in its oil and gas sector and bring long-delayed projects into production. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said recent government reforms are aimed at reducing project development costs and timelines while creating greater certainty for investors. With production targeted for 2028, the project is set to connect the Ima field to Nigeria LNG’s expanding export infrastructure while creating jobs and business opportunities in its host communities.