NLNG Leverages AI to Strengthen Gas Supply and Exports
NIGERIA Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) says it is harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity across its operations, while boosting domestic gas supply and exports.
Olakunle Osobu, NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, made this known during a panel session at the ongoing Gastech Exhibition and Conference in Milan, Italy. The session, themed “Operational Excellence Through the Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies,” drew more than 50,000 participants from 150 countries.
Osobu described AI as critical to NLNG’s operations, given the scale and complexity of its infrastructure.
“With over 10,000 operators and technicians working simultaneously toward a common goal, the use of AI is not only imperative but compulsory,” he said.
He explained that NLNG has embedded AI into nearly every part of its operations—from safety systems to equipment monitoring—supporting its culture of continuous improvement and zero-incident policy.
According to him, AI has transformed workforce training, cutting operator training time from six to 12 months down to just two to three months. This has translated into lower costs and faster productivity gains.
AI has also improved equipment performance, Osobu added, allowing machines to operate more efficiently while generating actionable insights for better decision-making.
“It is like using a breeze instead of a hammer—smart work over hard work. Wherever AI can be applied, we use it. It is the future of our industry, and we are fully invested in it,” he said.
He noted, however, that NLNG’s technology team reviews deployment regularly to ensure usage remains demand-driven and cost-effective.
In a related presentation, NLNG’s Senior Mechanical Engineer for Static Equipment, Jude Ohanyere, said the company was conducting a life-extension assessment on critical infrastructure such as the Main Cryogenic Heat Exchanger (MCHE).
“We’ve partnered with Honeywell, the OEM, to ensure that the MCHE can operate safely and reliably for the next 10 to 25 years. Reliable assets mean fewer outages and stronger supply commitments,” Ohanyere explained.
He added that greater reliability also helps NLNG’s upstream partners by reducing gas flaring and strengthening Nigeria’s energy mix.
The NLNG’s integration of AI marks a major step toward smart energy adoption in Africa, positioning the company as a digital leader in the sector.
The Gastech conference is one of the world’s largest gatherings of energy professionals, bringing together global stakeholders to explore innovations in gas, LNG, hydrogen, AI, and climate technologies.
