An Original Framework for Evaluating the Circular Economy Potential of Nigeria’s Gas Sector Waste Streams

The circular economy paradigm offers a transformative lens for reimagining the management of waste streams generated across Nigeria's gas sector value chain, yet no academic framework for systematically evaluating circular economy potential in this sector and national context has been developed. This study develops and applies an original circular economy potential evaluation framework for the Nigerian gas sector, encompassing waste streams from upstream exploration and production, midstream processing and transmission, and downstream distribution and end-use. The theoretical framework integrates the Ellen MacArthur Foundation butterfly diagram model, material flow analysis (MFA) methodology, and economic value recovery modelling, adapted for the regulatory, market development, and infrastructure conditions of Nigeria's gas sector. Material flow mapping is conducted for seven primary waste stream categories: produced water, drill cuttings and muds, amine waste from acid gas removal, glycol waste from dehydration, produced sand, metallic equipment scrap, and process gas venting and fugitive emissions treated as resource waste. For each stream, circular economy pathway options are identified across the ReSOLVE circular economy strategy framework, technically characterised, and evaluated against economic viability criteria and regulatory enabling conditions. The study's original contributions include: the first published material flow analysis for the Nigerian gas sector at the sector level, an original Circular Economy Readiness Index (CERI) for gas sector waste streams calibrated for the Nigerian context, and a regulatory reform roadmap for enabling circular economy practices in Nigerian gas operations. Findings identify produced water reuse, amine solvent regeneration optimisation, and equipment component remanufacturing as the highest-value, most technically feasible circular economy priorities. Recommendations include integration of circular economy performance metrics into NUPRC licensing conditions and development of a gas sector industrial symbiosis network linking waste producers with potential resource users. Keywords: circular economy, gas sector waste, material flow analysis, Nigeria, sustainability.