NNPC and TotalEnergies Deepen Emissions Control with 24-Month Extension of Drone-Based Methane Detection Technology
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and TotalEnergies have solidified their commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance by extending their strategic partnership for the deployment of advanced drone-based methane detection technology. The agreement, now extended for an additional 24 months, will see the continued utilisation of the Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications (AUSEA) across NNPC’s upstream operations. This initiative is poised to significantly enhance emission measurement capabilities, facilitate the identification of previously unreported methane leaks, and bolster Nigeria’s ambitious targets under the Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter and OGMP 2.0, aiming for near-zero methane emissions by 2030.
In a report by Leadership published on June 17, 2026, the extension signifies a crucial step in NNPC Ltd’s journey to meet its gas flare reduction obligations and align with its participation in the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0. This follow-up agreement builds upon the initial deployment of the AUSEA technology, first implemented in 2023. The pact was formally executed by Udy Ntia, NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, and Matthieu Bouyer, TotalEnergies’ Country Chair and Managing Director, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ntia expressed considerable satisfaction with the initial phase of the AUSEA deployment, advocating for its expansion across a broader spectrum of NNPC’s assets. “Today’s signing represents a practical step in NNPC Limited’s journey to build a credible, transparent and action-oriented decarbonization programme,” Ntia stated. “Through the AUSEA initiative, we are strengthening our ability to detect, quantify and prioritise methane abatement opportunities using advanced measurement technology.” He further emphasised the importance of institutionalising progress reporting to meet compliance requirements and exploring avenues for the transfer of AUSEA technology.
Mike Sangster, TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice President for Africa, echoed the sentiment of successful collaboration, highlighting the company’s long-standing cooperative relationship with NNPC. Sangster noted TotalEnergies’ pioneering role as the first oil-producing company in Nigeria to achieve zero gas flaring across all its assets, a feat significantly aided by the AUSEA technology. The company remains committed to achieving near-zero methane emissions by 2030.
The AUSEA technology, a product of TotalEnergies’ collaboration with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Reims, offers a comprehensive suite of environmental monitoring benefits. Its capabilities include the identification of unaccounted emission sources, the establishment of a robust basis for querying and refining current emission reporting processes, the provision of critical data for operational system reviews and corrective actions, and the estimation of flare combustion efficiency. For legal professionals, compliance officers, and corporate executives, this extended partnership underscores the increasing regulatory pressure and the strategic imperative to adopt cutting-edge technologies for environmental compliance and risk mitigation in Nigeria’s vital energy sector. Investors and business leaders will also note this as a positive indicator of the sector’s commitment to sustainable practices and its alignment with global decarbonisation efforts.
