Nigeria LNG
A Nigerian joint-venture energy company that produces and exports liquefied natural gas and associated natural-gas liquids from Bonny Island.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) is Nigeria's principal liquefied natural gas producer and one of the country's most important energy-export businesses. The company was incorporated on 17 May 1989 as a joint venture established to commercialize Nigeria's substantial natural-gas resources by converting gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural-gas liquids for export. Its industrial complex is located on Bonny Island in Rivers State, in the Niger Delta, while its corporate headquarters are in Port Harcourt. NLNG's ownership combines the Nigerian state with three international energy groups. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation holds 49%, Shell Gas B.V. owns 25.6%, Total LNG Nigeria Ltd owns 15%, and Eni International owns 10.4%. The ownership structure gives the Nigerian government a controlling stake while providing the project with the technical, commercial, and financing capabilities of major international oil and gas companies. NLNG is privately held rather than publicly listed and has no stock-market ticker. The company's first liquefaction train began operating in 1999 after the Bonny Island facilities were constructed by the TSKJ engineering consortium, led by KBR and including Snamprogetti, Technip, and JGC Corporation. Early commercial arrangements supplied LNG to European customers including Enel, Enagás, BOTAŞ, and Gaz de France. Feed gas was sourced through arrangements involving Shell, Elf Aquitaine, and Agip. The project subsequently expanded through additional trains, storage capacity, marine infrastructure, and shipping operations. NLNG now operates six liquefaction trains with combined nameplate capacity of approximately 22 million tonnes of LNG per year. Trains 1, 2, and 3 each have production capacity of about 3.2 million tonnes annually, while Trains 4, 5, and 6 each have capacity of about 4.1 million tonnes. The Bonny Island complex also produces liquefied petroleum gas and condensate, in addition to LNG. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Bonny Gas Transport, the company maintains shipping capabilities for moving LNG to international customers. Nigeria LNG Ship Manning Limited supports the maritime workforce and related shipping activities. The business depends on reliable gas supply from the Niger Delta and has periodically faced operational disruption, including a 2016 force-majeure declaration by Shell after a leak affected the Eastern Gas Gathering System. NLNG continued production at that time through alternative gas sources. More broadly, the company operates within Nigeria's challenging gas infrastructure, security, regulatory, and investment environment, where pipeline reliability and upstream production affect LNG utilization. NLNG has also become a prominent Nigerian institution through its cultural and scientific sponsorships. In partnership with the Nigerian Academy of Science and the Nigerian Academy of Letters, it sponsors the Nigeria Prize for Science and the Nigeria Prize for Literature. These initiatives complement the company's core export role and associate the brand with national development, research, and literary achievement. The company has generated substantial export earnings for Nigeria and reached US$85 billion in cumulative LNG exports during its first 15 years of business, according to the cited reference material. Its revenues remain exposed to international LNG and broader oil-and-gas price cycles. NLNG's strategic identity is therefore built around monetizing gas that might otherwise be flared, supplying global LNG markets, expanding Nigeria's industrial base, and maintaining a large-scale energy-export platform on Bonny Island.
History
Nigeria LNG Limited was incorporated on 17 May 1989 to develop an export business based on Nigeria's natural-gas reserves. The venture was designed to produce LNG and natural-gas liquids, allowing gas to be transported economically to overseas markets. Its ownership brought together the Nigerian state and international energy companies: NNPC, Shell, Total, and Eni. Construction of the Bonny Island project was undertaken by the TSKJ consortium, led by KBR and comprising Snamprogetti, Technip, and JGC Corporation. The first production train became operational in September 1999. Before and during commissioning, NLNG arranged long-term sales agreements with European buyers, including Enel, Enagás, BOTAŞ, and Gaz de France. Feed gas was supplied through arrangements involving Shell, Elf Aquitaine, and Agip. The original project expanded in stages. Trains 1 and 2 formed the base project; Train 3 added capacity and storage; and the NLNGPlus program developed Trains 4 and 5. Train 6 followed as a further expansion. The six-train complex ultimately reached approximately 22 million tonnes per year of LNG capacity. The facility also produces LPG and condensate, extending the value recovered from the gas stream. NLNG developed supporting maritime capabilities through Bonny Gas Transport, a wholly owned subsidiary established to provide shipping services. Nigeria LNG Ship Manning Limited, established in 2008, provides dedicated personnel and maritime management support. These subsidiaries help connect the Bonny Island production complex with international customers. The company's operating history has included both commercial growth and supply constraints. In August 2016, Shell declared force majeure on most of its feed-gas supply after a leak on the Eastern Gas Gathering System. NLNG was able to continue producing by relying on alternative sources, but the episode illustrated the dependence of LNG operations on upstream gathering and pipeline infrastructure. The engineering and procurement contracts associated with the facility were also connected to major international corruption investigations. Authorities investigated allegations that members of the TSKJ consortium paid approximately US$180 million in bribes to Nigerian government officials between 1994 and 2004 to secure contracts valued at more than US$6 billion. KBR pleaded guilty in the United States in 2009 in relation to bribery payments connected with four contracts to build and expand the NLNG terminal. Snamprogetti agreed to pay a US$240 million penalty to resolve a US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matter, while Eni and Snamprogetti paid US$125 million to settle a related Securities and Exchange Commission case. The allegations concerned consortium companies and government officials rather than claims that NLNG employees themselves paid the bribes. NLNG has been led by a succession of managing directors, including Babs Omotowa, Tony Attah, and Philip Mshelbila. Olalekan Olufemi Ogunleye became deputy managing director in 2022. Beyond production and exports, NLNG sponsors the Nigeria Prize for Science and the Nigeria Prize for Literature in partnership with Nigeria's national science and literary academies. These programs form a prominent part of its public-facing contribution to Nigerian research and culture.
- 2021
Philip Mshelbila becomes CEO
[1]Philip Mshelbila was appointed managing director and chief executive officer.
- 2015
Cumulative exports reach US$85 billion
[1]NLNG reported reaching US$85 billion in LNG exports over its first 15 years of operations.
- 2013
Four LNG carriers ordered
[1]NLNG contracted for four additional LNG carriers, bringing its reported fleet to 23 ships.
- 2008
Nigeria LNG Ship Manning Limited established
[1]NLNG created a wholly owned subsidiary focused on staffing and managing its maritime operations.
- 1999
First liquefaction train enters service
[1]The Bonny Island facility began production and prepared its first LNG shipments for international customers.
- 1989
Nigeria LNG incorporated
[1]Nigeria LNG Limited was incorporated on 17 May to develop LNG and natural-gas-liquids exports.
Products and positioning
A major Nigerian LNG producer and global gas-export platform, combining state ownership with the technical and commercial capabilities of Shell, TotalEnergies, and Eni.
Natural gas · 1999
Liquefied natural gas
NLNG's principal product is natural gas cooled to a liquid state for storage and marine transportation. It is produced at the Bonny Island complex through six liquefaction trains with combined nameplate capacity of approximately 22 million tonnes per year. LNG cargoes are sold into international markets, historically including European destinations and other global buyers.
Natural-gas liquids
Liquefied petroleum gas
Liquefied petroleum gas is an associated product recovered and marketed alongside LNG. Its production allows NLNG to capture additional value from the hydrocarbon stream and contributes to the company's broader natural-gas-liquids portfolio.
Natural-gas liquids
Condensate
Condensate is another associated hydrocarbon product from NLNG's gas-processing operations. It is separated from the feed stream during processing and handled as part of the company's portfolio of products derived from Nigerian natural gas.
Controversies
2009
TSKJ consortium bribery investigations
International authorities investigated allegations that companies in the TSKJ engineering consortium paid approximately US$180 million to Nigerian government officials between 1994 and 2004 to obtain NLNG construction and expansion contracts. KBR pleaded guilty in the United States, while Snamprogetti, Eni, and related entities paid substantial penalties and settlements. The cited allegations concerned consortium companies and officials rather than an accusation that NLNG staff themselves made the payments.
Marketing campaigns
- Nigeria Prize for Science
Nigeria
NLNG sponsors the Nigeria Prize for Science in partnership with the Nigerian Academy of Science, supporting recognition of scientific achievement in Nigeria.
Outcome. The prize has become part of NLNG's public-affairs and national-development sponsorship portfolio.
- Nigeria Prize for Literature
Nigeria
NLNG sponsors the Nigeria Prize for Literature with the Nigerian Academy of Letters, associating the company with literary achievement and cultural development.
Outcome. The initiative provides a high-profile cultural platform linked to the NLNG brand.
Brand decisions
2016
Maintain production during feed-gas disruptionOtherBackground
A leak on Shell's Eastern Gas Gathering System led to force majeure on most of Shell's feed-gas supply.
Action taken
NLNG continued operating by using alternative gas supplies.
Aftermath
Production continued despite the disruption, highlighting the importance of diversified feed-gas access.
2013
Expand LNG shipping capacityStrategyBackground
Growing production and international delivery requirements created demand for additional dedicated LNG carriers.
Action taken
NLNG agreed with Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries to acquire four LNG carrier ships.
Aftermath
The reported fleet increased to 23 vessels, strengthening NLNG's shipping platform.
Contract value. US$1.2 billion (2013)
Recent events
- 2022
Olalekan Ogunleye appointed deputy managing director[1]
Leadership change
Olalekan Olufemi Ogunleye succeeded Sadeeq Mai-Bornu as deputy managing director.
- 2021
Philip Mshelbila appointed managing director and CEO[1]
Leadership change
The board appointed Philip Mshelbila to succeed Tony Attah as managing director and chief executive.
- 2016
Tony Attah appointed managing director and CEO[1]
Leadership change
Tony Attah succeeded Babs Omotowa as NLNG managing director and chief executive.
- 2016
Shell declares force majeure after gas-system leak[1]
Other · Regulation
A leak on Shell's Eastern Gas Gathering System led Shell to declare force majeure on most feed gas supplied to the facility; NLNG maintained production using alternative sources.
- 2015
NLNG reports lower revenue amid weaker energy prices[1]
Other · Pricing
NLNG reported a substantial year-on-year revenue decline as oil and gas prices fell, while also marking US$85 billion in cumulative LNG exports over its first 15 years.
- 2013
NLNG signs contract for four LNG carriers[1]
Other
NLNG agreed with Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries to obtain four LNG carrier ships, expanding its shipping fleet to 23 vessels.
- 1999
Nigeria LNG begins commercial production at Bonny Island[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The company's first liquefaction train entered operation, establishing Nigeria as an LNG-exporting country.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/nigeria-lng · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled