Financial Energy Review
………by Ben Ndubuwa….
TotalEnergies has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing its sustainable energy stock with a bold target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This pledge was made by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Matthieu Bouyer, during the management session at the ongoing 42nd Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).
Represented by Olatunji Akinwunmi, Executive Director of Corporate Services, Bouyer emphasized TotalEnergies’ ongoing efforts to boost energy output while minimizing its environmental impact. “Through strategic projects and innovation, we are on track to meet our emissions reduction targets. TotalEnergies remains committed to significantly lowering emissions in our operations, both here in Nigeria and globally,” Bouyer said.
A major milestone in the company’s sustainability journey in Nigeria is the elimination of routine flaring across all its upstream operations. This step aligns with the company’s broader environmental goals and was highlighted by Akinwunmi during the conference. “We have made significant progress by completely eliminating routine flaring, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions,” Akinwunmi stated.
In addition to flaring elimination, TotalEnergies is employing cutting-edge technology to tackle methane emissions. Akinwunmi showcased the Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications (AUSEA), a state-of-the-art methane detection system developed in collaboration with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne.
“AUSEA is one of the most accurate technologies in the world for detecting and measuring methane emissions. It is a key component of our strategy to achieve zero methane emissions across all our operations,” Akinwunmi explained. Since its launch in 2022, the drone-mounted AUSEA technology has been deployed across over 95% of TotalEnergies-operated sites in Nigeria, with more than 1,200 flights conducted globally, covering 125 sites across eight countries.
The AUSEA technology features a high-precision diode laser spectrometer capable of detecting methane emissions at levels as low as 1 kg per hour. Akinwunmi noted that the long-term goal is to integrate AUSEA into an autonomous system for continuous environmental monitoring. “This technology is a critical part of our commitment to ensuring zero methane emissions and strengthening our monitoring capabilities,” he said.
TotalEnergies’ sustainability efforts extend beyond emissions reduction, with a focus on incorporating renewable energy solutions into its operations. Akinwunmi outlined several key initiatives supporting the company’s mission, including integrating power supply from the OBITE treatment center and plans to incorporate a 5MW solar energy solution. Additionally, the company is working on electrifying its drilling rigs to reduce the reliance on liquid fuels, further minimizing its carbon footprint.
TotalEnergies’ commitment to Nigeria is reflected in its significant long-term investments in the country’s energy sector. Over the past decade, the company has successfully completed large-scale projects, including the Egina field, the Ofon Phase 2 project, the OML 58 upgrade, and the Ikike field, which began production in 2022. In 2023, the company made another major discovery with the Ntokon field, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable exploration practices in Nigeria.
“Our investments in Nigeria are a testament to our confidence in the country’s energy potential and our dedication to contributing to a sustainable energy future,” Bouyer said, underlining TotalEnergies’ ongoing efforts to balance energy production with environmental responsibility.
As the global energy transition accelerates, TotalEnergies’ strategies in Nigeria demonstrate the company’s determination to lead in both energy innovation and environmental sustainability, with a clear focus on reducing emissions and increasing reliance on renewable energy.
