Nigeria has approved an $800 million investment to develop the long-delayed Ima gas field in the Niger Delta, with production expected to begin in 2028.
French energy company TotalEnergies and Nigerian producer AMNI International took the final investment decision on September 23, according to a TotalEnergies announcement.
The field, discovered in 1973, is located in shallow waters off Rivers State near Bonny Island and spans the OML 112 and OML 117 offshore licenses. AMNI will hold a 60% stake in the project, while TotalEnergies, which will operate the development, will retain 40%.
The companies plan to develop the field with a single platform connected by a 22-kilometre pipeline to Nigeria LNG’s liquefaction facility on Bonny Island. The project is expected to reach peak production of 350 million cubic feet of gas per day, equivalent to more than 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Gas from Ima will provide about one-third of the feedstock required for Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 expansion. Train 7 is designed to increase Nigeria LNG’s liquefaction capacity from 22 million tons per year to 30 million tons. The Ima development is therefore expected to strengthen gas supplies for exports while supporting the expansion of one of Nigeria’s main energy infrastructure projects.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the investment, saying it demonstrated progress in the government’s efforts to attract capital and revive stalled projects in the oil and gas industry. In a post on X, he said the project would create opportunities for Nigerian engineers, technicians, contractors and businesses in host communities.
The field had remained undeveloped for more than 50 years despite its proximity to Nigeria LNG. The project could generate between $2 billion and $4 billion in value over its lifetime, depending on international oil and gas prices.
TotalEnergies described Ima as a low-cost, low-emissions project. Its design includes power supplied from shore, no routine flaring and permanent methane monitoring. The company also said local contractors would handle key project packages, while about 60% of the development workforce was expected to come from host communities.
