TotalEnergies and AMNI approve development of offshore Ima gas field

Global energy major TotalEnergies and its Nigerian indigenous partner, AMNI International, have reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the offshore Ima gas field, unlocking a major feedstock supply for the nation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export infrastructure.

The project—straddling offshore blocks OML 112 and 117 in shallow waters near Bonny Island—will deliver first gas in 2028. At peak capacity, the field is projected to produce 350 million cubic feet of gas per day (equivalent of over 60,000 barrels of oil per day), feeding directly into the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) liquefaction complex on Bonny Island through a new 22-kilometre subsea pipeline.

Once operational, output from the Ima field will supply approximately one-third of the total gas requirement needed for NLNG’s ongoing Train 7 expansion project, which aims to boost total plant processing capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 30 Mtpa.

TotalEnergies operates the project with a 40 per cent stake, while indigenous energy group AMNI holds the remaining 60 per cent. The investment represents another major win for Nigeria’s non-associated gas framework, coming on the heels of the Ubeta gas project sanctioned by TotalEnergies in 2024.

Speaking on the milestone, Nicolas Terraz, President of Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, highlighted the regulatory and environmental drivers behind the commitment.

“We are very pleased to announce the FID for the Ima gas project, marking a new milestone in the deployment of our integrated gas strategy in Nigeria,” Terraz said. “After the Ubeta project sanctioned in 2024 and expected to start-up next year, Ima demonstrates again our ability to unlock new low-cost and low-emissions gas resources, following the incentives introduced by the Nigerian Government for non-associated gas developments.”

“This new project will contribute significantly to Nigeria LNG gas supply and create lasting value for its partners and for Nigeria,” Terraz added.

Designed as a low-emissions offshore facility, the Ima project will feature a simplified single-platform architecture, receiving electrical power directly from shore to eliminate routine flaring while utilizing permanent digital methane monitoring systems.

In addition to expanding domestic gas processing capacity, the partners confirmed that all primary contracts for the construction and installation phase will be awarded to Nigerian companies. Furthermore, approximately 60 per cent of the development workforce will be recruited directly from host coastal communities in the Niger Delta.

The FID reinforces TotalEnergies’ six-decade presence in Nigeria, where the French energy group produces around 188,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and maintains a 15 per cent equity shareholding in Nigeria LNG Limited.