DIRECTIVE ON IMPLEMENTING STANDARDIZED TEMPLATES AND TRANSITIONING TO MEASUREMENT-BASED METHANE AND GHG REPORTING
In furtherance of oil and gas NDC climate commitments and the provisions o f the Guidelines for the Management of Methane and Greenhouse Gases i n the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector (2022), the Commission hereby issues this policy directive to all upstream petroleum operators to institutionalise credible Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) practices for methane and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories.
The global efforts to limit warming t o 1.5°C have placed heightened expectations on oil and gas and other fossil energy sources to demonstrate commitment to the mitigation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas & other pollutants while ensuring transparent, verifiable, and measurement-based emissions reporting systems. The Commission has, since 2022, required operators to commence emissions quantification using IPCC Tier 1 methodologies, with a mandatory progression to Tier 2 and Tier 3 approaches. While the IPCC framework remains the global standard for UNFCCC reporting, operators may continue to align to other recognised frameworks, such as OGMP 2.0, APl, and ISO, IPCC methodologies when submitting emissions data t o the Commission.
In the course o f implementing the guidelines, the Commission observed technical capacity limitations and infrastructural MRV gaps. In response,the NUPRC has convened targeted workshops on MRV and industry guidance sessions to build capacity and ensure a smooth transition to measurement-based reporting. It is worth noting that Nigeria’s national commitments to Net-Zero by 2060, Zero Routine Flaring by 2030, and 60% methane reduction by 2035 require an MRV and emissions inventory system that is robust, science-based, traceable, and comparable with international standards.
Accordingly, to ensure standardization i n the upstream MRV and Emission Inventories, operators shall adopt and comply with the guidance templates for:
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management Plan (GHGEMP); and
• Reporting of Methane and GHG Emissions Accounting and Inventories.
In line with provisions o f Section 4.0 of the Guidelines for Management o f Fugitive Methane and Greenhouse Gases in Upstream Oil & Gas, operators shall, at a minimum, report emissions using IPCC Tier 2 methodologies from third quarter 2026, and b y January 2027, transition fully to IPCC Tier 3 (its equivalent or high-level methods under other frameworks) measurement-based MRV systems.
All submissions to the Commission which shall take effect immediately, shall follow the templates published on the NUPRC website and be verifiable, transparent, and evidence-driven in line with MRV principles.
These measures are designed to entrench accountability, strengthen Nigeria’s credibility in global markets, and unlock climate-smart investment for the upstream sector.
The Commission remains committed to supporting the industry through capacity building, technical guidance, and deployment of MRV enabling infrastructure.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (Mrs.)
Commission Chief Executive (CCE)