The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced a partnership with the United States Department of State to advance methane abatement initiatives aimed at reducing emissions in Nigeria’s energy sector.

In a statement on Thursday, NNPC disclosed that Mele Kyari, its group chief executive officer, hosted Robert Leahman, Global Methane Programme Manager at the US State Department, along with a team from Deloitte, at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.

As part of the collaboration, NNPC has launched a methane abatement pilot project in the Niger Delta in partnership with US organizations such as Deloitte and the Bureau of Energy Resources. The project aims to establish emissions baselines, minimize methane leaks, and implement sustainable practices across NNPC’s operations.

“These efforts align with Nigeria’s ambitious goals to cut methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by 60% by 2031 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060,” the statement read. The initiative also underscores Nigeria’s leadership in Africa under the Global Methane Pledge, demonstrating a firm commitment to combating climate change and fostering sustainability in the energy sector.

NNPC reiterated its pledge to reduce methane emissions and achieve zero gas flaring by 2030. This commitment follows the adoption of the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter at COP28 in December 2023, held in the United Arab Emirates. The initiative reflects the company’s efforts to align with global standards and contribute to Nigeria’s climate goals.