TotalEnergies Launches Ima Gas Development to Support Nigeria LNG Expansion
TotalEnergies and its partner AMNI have reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development of the Ima gas field offshore Nigeria, advancing a project designed to strengthen domestic gas supply to the country’s expanding liquefied natural gas infrastructure.
TotalEnergies, which holds a 40% interest and operates the development, is partnering with Nigerian company AMNI, which owns the remaining 60% interest. The Ima gas field spans the OML 112 and OML 117 offshore licenses and is located in shallow waters near Bonny Island, an important hub for Nigeria’s natural gas and LNG industry.
The development is scheduled to begin production in 2028 and is expected to reach a plateau of approximately 350 million cubic feet per day of natural gas. This production level is equivalent to more than 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, positioning Ima as an important new source of gas for Nigeria’s LNG sector.
The Ima field will be developed through a simplified offshore concept centered on a single platform. Gas produced from the field will be transported through a 22-kilometer pipeline directly to the Nigeria LNG facilities, where it will contribute to the feedstock requirements of the company’s ongoing Train 7 expansion.
Nigeria LNG, in which TotalEnergies holds a 15% interest, is expanding its liquefaction capacity from approximately 22 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 30 Mtpa through the Train 7 project. Once operational, the Ima development is expected to supply around one-third of the additional gas required for the expansion, reinforcing its role in supporting the long-term performance of Nigeria’s LNG infrastructure.
The investment decision represents another step in TotalEnergies’ strategy to develop natural gas resources in Nigeria while focusing on projects designed to maintain competitive production costs and reduce operational emissions. The company has emphasized the relatively low-cost and low-emissions characteristics of the Ima development.
Several features have been incorporated into the project to limit its environmental footprint. The offshore facility will use a simplified platform design intended to reduce development complexity. Electricity will be supplied from shore, eliminating the need for conventional offshore power generation based on gas combustion. The project will also operate without routine flaring and will include permanent methane detection and monitoring systems.
These measures are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with production while improving the monitoring of methane across the development. The approach reflects the growing focus within the energy industry on managing emissions from natural gas projects, particularly as gas continues to play a role in global energy supply and LNG markets.
Beyond its contribution to gas production, the Ima project is expected to generate significant opportunities for Nigerian companies and workers. TotalEnergies and AMNI have structured the development with a strong emphasis on Nigerian content, with all key contractors involved in the project expected to be local companies.
The project is also expected to support employment and economic activity in communities surrounding the development. During the project development phase, approximately 60% of the workforce is expected to be recruited from the host communities. This local participation is intended to increase the direct economic benefits associated with the offshore gas project and strengthen ties between the development and communities in the surrounding area.
The Final Investment Decision follows TotalEnergies’ recent progress on other Nigerian gas developments. The company previously sanctioned the Ubeta gas project in 2024, with start-up expected in 2027. Together, the Ubeta and Ima projects form part of the company’s broader efforts to develop new gas resources and support Nigeria’s LNG supply chain.
TotalEnergies has highlighted the importance of recent incentives introduced by the Nigerian Government for non-associated gas developments. These measures have helped improve the investment environment for projects focused specifically on natural gas resources rather than gas produced as a by-product of oil production.
Nicolas Terraz, President of Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, said the Ima FID represents another milestone in the company’s integrated gas strategy in Nigeria. He noted that the project demonstrates the company’s ability to develop new gas resources with a focus on both cost competitiveness and lower emissions.
According to Terraz, Ima will make a significant contribution to the gas supply required by Nigeria LNG while generating longer-term value for the project’s partners and Nigeria.
The development also highlights the strategic relationship between upstream gas production and Nigeria’s LNG ambitions. Reliable feedstock availability is essential to maintaining and expanding LNG production capacity, making new offshore gas developments increasingly important to the country’s energy infrastructure.
With its planned connection directly to Nigeria LNG, Ima is positioned to provide a dedicated source of natural gas for the expanding liquefaction facilities. The project’s 2028 start-up target will place its production timeline alongside the continued development of Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 expansion.
For TotalEnergies, the investment reinforces its continued presence in Nigeria’s upstream gas sector and its focus on projects capable of supplying large-scale LNG infrastructure. For AMNI, participation in the development provides an opportunity to advance a major offshore gas resource alongside an international operator while supporting local industry participation.
Once production reaches its expected plateau, the Ima field will deliver up to 350 million cubic feet of gas per day through its dedicated pipeline connection. Combined with the project’s simplified design, shore-based power supply, elimination of routine flaring and methane monitoring systems, the development is intended to provide a lower-emissions source of gas for Nigeria’s LNG system.
The FID therefore marks a significant project milestone, moving Ima from development planning toward construction and eventual production. With first gas targeted for 2028, the project is expected to become an important contributor to Nigeria LNG’s feedstock requirements and to the country’s broader efforts to expand its natural gas and LNG capabilities.
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