Professional Review of Liquefied Natural Gas Receiving Terminal Operations in Nigeria

Liquefied natural gas receiving terminals represent a critical node in the global gas supply chain, and their operational management has significant implications for national energy security and commercial gas market development. This study conducts a professional review of LNG receiving terminal operations in Nigeria, examining the operational readiness, capacity utilisation, and technical management practices of the Bonny LNG loading terminal operated by NLNG and emerging small-scale LNG facilities serving domestic distribution purposes. The research employs an operations review methodology combining technical document review, structured interviews with terminal operations managers, and process performance data analysis. Operational dimensions reviewed include LNG storage tank management, boil-off gas (BOG) handling and compression, ship loading and unloading operations, sendout pipeline metering, nitrogen blanketing systems, and cold maintenance procedures. The study also assesses the emergency shutdown system (ESD) testing regimes and vapour cloud explosion (VCE) and boilover emergency preparedness frameworks. Findings reveal that BOG management efficiency is the primary technical performance differentiator between high-performing and average-performing terminals, with better-performing terminals achieving BOG compressor availability above 98 percent and delivering BOG into the gas grid rather than flaring. Recommendations include adoption of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) operational best practice guides, mandatory LNG terminal operator certification programmes, and development of a Nigerian LNG terminal performance benchmarking database under NMDPRA oversight. Keywords: LNG terminal, operations management, NLNG, BOG management, terminal performance.