The Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Dr. Philip Mshelbila, has disclosed that only two of the company’s six gas trains are currently functioning, citing frequent vandalism of gas pipelines as the primary cause of operational setbacks.
Speaking at a panel session during the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja, Mshelbila lamented the severe impact of insecurity on NLNG’s operations, noting that illegal connections have significantly disrupted gas supply.
“At the moment, I am only running two trains out of six,” he revealed. “Three of our key supply pipelines GTS 1, GTS 2, and GTS 4 are currently undergoing repairs due to sabotage.”
Mshelbila underscored the urgency of addressing energy security, stressing that while oil infrastructure has seen some improvements, gas assets remain highly vulnerable. He warned that without enhanced protection, Nigeria’s ability to meet global LNG demand would continue to decline.
“Energy security must be prioritized alongside national security. The situation with gas infrastructure has worsened, and if we fail to safeguard these pipelines, we will remain unable to compete globally,” he said.
He noted that several European countries and other LNG importers have approached Nigeria for supplies, but the country has been unable to meet demand due to these security concerns.
“Nations like Qatar and the U.S. are in a much stronger position, while we struggle to maintain operations,” he added.
Earlier this year, Nigeria’s LNG exports dropped by 20% following the destruction of critical pipelines, with further shipment delays expected in the coming months.
Despite these setbacks, Mshelbila commended the Nigerian government for fostering an investment-friendly environment, which has contributed to the success of NLNG’s Train 7 project—a $5 billion expansion initiative.
“The Train 7 project highlights the benefits of public-private partnerships in the sector. The level of investor interest we’ve seen is a testament to our governance model and corporate structure,” he stated.
However, he cautioned that broader investment challenges persist, particularly in securing Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
Echoing his concerns, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, described NLNG as a benchmark for the energy sector, emphasizing the need for transparent governance and financial discipline to attract investment.
“The NLNG model is one that should be replicated for long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s energy sector,” she noted.
Verheijen, however, stressed that security remains a critical issue, urging stakeholders to work toward resolving threats to the country’s energy infrastructure.