ODESSA, Texas —
Some people forget just how far and wide the Permian Basin’s reputation goes when it comes to all things oil and gas.
On Thursday, a delegation of members of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria arrived in the Midland/Odessa area all to meet with companies as part of a trade mission organized by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to help develop business partnerships and cooperation.
“So, we've come on a reverse trade mission that is organized and supported by the USTDA and it's around the whole topic of methane abatement solutions, technology and strategies around, you know, just meeting abatement and we are specifically interested in flare gas solutions reduction and commercialization,” said Funmi Obgue, CEO of Zigma Limited and member of the Nigerian delegation.
Methane abatement equipment and operational techniques can be applied across the oil and gas industry to reduce emissions, and Nigeria is eager to get methane abatement solutions to advance their energy goals and monetize an otherwise wasted energy source.
The Permian Basin was seen as one of the best stops along their 10-day trip to see some of the most advanced methane abatement technologies in the world.
“The Permian Basin obviously as, you know, is really special and really interesting because there's so much flaring going on here. There are so many fields, there's so much production coming out of here. But I think also it's to see the companies that are producing technology in that area because there is a lot of opportunities,” Obgue continued.
But business isn’t the sole motivation for wanting to advance methane abatement.
“As you know, we're working to, in 2031, get to abatements reduction targets, for all of us. All the countries that have signed up and Nigeria is obviously one of the signatories along with the US to reduce methane emissions and make the world, a better, safer place. So, reduce pollution, but also waste,” Obgue added.