TotalEnergies and Nigerian energy company AMNI International have officially made a final investment decision on the development of the Ima gas field offshore Nigeria, marking a major milestone in unlocking one of the country’s long-dormant hydrocarbon resources. The project, valued at $800 million by the Nigerian government, will bring to life a gas discovery made over 50 years ago, with production expected to begin in 2028. Located across Oil Mining Leases 112 and 117 in shallow waters near Bonny Island, Rivers State, the Ima field is set to become a key supplier of feedgas for Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
At peak output, the Ima development is designed to deliver approximately 350 million cubic feet of gas per day, equivalent to more than 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily. This volume is projected to supply about one-third of the gas needed for the ongoing NLNG Train 7 expansion, which aims to boost Nigeria LNG’s liquefaction capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million tonnes. The expansion is critical to Nigeria’s goal of increasing its LNG exports and generating more foreign exchange.
TotalEnergies holds a 40% stake in the project and will serve as the operator, while AMNI International controls the remaining 60%. The development will use a single offshore platform connected to the NLNG facility via a 22-kilometre pipeline. Despite being discovered in 1973, the Ima field remained undeveloped for decades due to economic and logistical challenges. The current investment reflects renewed confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and improved project economics.
The project has been designed with environmental and operational efficiency in mind. It will rely on shore-based electricity instead of offshore power generation, eliminate routine flaring, and feature permanent methane detection systems. These measures align with global standards for low-emission energy projects and support Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy production.
A significant portion of the project’s workforce—about 60%—is expected to come from local communities surrounding the site, while major construction and engineering packages will be awarded to Nigerian contractors. This emphasis on Nigerian content underscores the government’s push for local participation in upstream projects.
AMNI estimates the total development cost at approximately $1.108 billion and confirms that the Ima field contains around 1.28 trillion cubic feet of independently verified non-associated gas reserves. At plateau production, the field is expected to sustain output for at least eight years. The project follows TotalEnergies’ earlier sanctioning of the Ubeta gas development in 2024, signaling a broader trend of revitalizing stranded gas assets in Nigeria.
With the final investment decision now secured, focus turns to execution, as TotalEnergies and AMNI work to deliver the project on time and within budget. The successful development of Ima could serve as a model for unlocking other underutilized gas resources in Nigeria’s offshore basins.
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