By Michael Eboh

LAGOS — Nigeria’s gas production, yesterday, received a boost, as Total Nigeria said it has ended gas flaring at its Ofon field on Oil Mining Lease, OML, 102 offshore Nigeria.

According to a statement by the company, the associated gas of the Ofon field is now being compressed, evacuated to shore and monetised via Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG.

The company said the flare-out milestone will allow for the gradual increase of production towards the 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day production target through monetisation of around 100 million cubic feet of gas per day, followed later in 2015 by the drilling of additional wells.

Commenting on the development, Guy Maurice, Senior Vice President, Africa, Total Exploration and Production, said the flare-out had brought about a 10 per cent reduction in the group’s exploration and production flaring.

He said: “The flare-out of the Ofon field illustrates our commitment to developing oil and gas resources around our existing hubs in Nigeria.

“This important milestone of the Phase 2 of the Ofon project was achieved in a context of high levels of local content.

“The flare-out on Ofon is also significant for Total’s environmental targets, representing a 10% reduction in the Group’s Exploration and Production (E&P) flaring. This achievement is a clear demonstration of Total’s commitment to the Global  Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership promoted by the World Bank.”

The Ofon field, according to the company, is located 65 kilometres from Nigerian shores in water depths of 40 meters.

The field, the company said, initially commenced production in 1997 and is currently producing about 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

The company said: “The execution of the project also involved significant local content, including the first living quarters platform to be fabricated in Nigeria.”