NNPC and TotalEnergies Extend Methane Detection Partnership with Drone Technology

NNPC Ltd and TotalEnergies have renewed a partnership to deploy AUSEA drone technology for detecting and measuring methane and carbon emissions across upstream operations in Nigeria. The two-year extension builds on a 2023 agreement and aims to support NNPC's goal of near-zero methane emissions by 2030 under the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter. The AUSEA system, developed with French research partners, uses drones to identify previously unaccounted emission sources and improve reporting accuracy. TotalEnergies says the technology helped it become the first oil producer in Nigeria to eliminate gas flaring across all its assets. The renewed deal also includes plans for technology transfer and local capacity building. For carbon market participants, the partnership shows how measurement technology can strengthen the credibility of emissions reduction claims. It also highlights the role of oil and gas majors in methane abatement, a key lever for near-term climate impact.