Asharami Energy, an upstream subsidiary of Sahara Group, has joined the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)-led Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 as part of its commitment to global methane abatement efforts and the reduction of fugitive emissions.
This achievement makes Asharami Energy the first indigenous Nigerian oil and gas operator, and one of the first in Africa, to reach this milestone. It further strengthens Sahara Group’s dedication to environmental sustainability through responsible emissions management.
Chief Technical Officer of Sahara Upstream, Leste Aihevba announced the development, stating, “This is a significant milestone that underscores our voluntary commitment to sustainability and our focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, which are crucial for demonstrating responsible stewardship and climate-conscious oil and gas development.”
OGMP 2.0 is the most comprehensive, measurement-based reporting framework for the oil and gas sector, recognized worldwide as the standard for monitoring, reporting, and verifying methane emissions. Asharami Energy’s membership in OGMP 2.0 will enhance the accuracy of its emissions data, align its operations with international best practices, and enable the design of targeted mitigation strategies for addressing the largest sources of methane emissions.
This is expected to advance the company’s efforts in reducing emissions and improve transparency and accountability, in line with the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030.
Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray emphasized that Asharami Energy’s membership aligns with Sahara Group’s broader sustainability goals and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. “Mitigating methane emissions is crucial to achieving climate goals and promoting environmental responsibility in the oil and gas sector. Through our participation in OGMP 2.0, Sahara Group is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s transition to cleaner energy solutions,” she said.
Aihevba also highlighted Asharami Energy’s focus on operational excellence and the technical and operational benefits of partnering with UNEP. “Joining OGMP 2.0 marks a transformative step for Asharami Energy. It allows us to improve methane abatement and fugitive emissions measurement and transparency while adopting globally recognized strategies for emission reduction. By leveraging UNEP’s insights and frameworks, we aim to enhance our environmental impact mitigation efforts and ensure that our operations meet and exceed international best practices,” he stated.
Furthermore, Aihevba noted that Asharami Energy has already outlined strategic measures to promote emissions reduction and resource efficiency across all its assets.
