Osayande Igiehon, CEO Heirs Energies
…Heirs Energies has a significant resource base with over a billion and a half of oil and two and a half trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas.
…Largest gas contributor supplier into the eastern part of Nigeria
…Three pillars of growing production eliminate routine flaring and expanding gas value chain.
-Felix Douglas
“We set out to make a company that is impactful to Nigeria and to Africa. Our ambition is clear, direct, and we are unequivocal about it. We have built a company that is not deterred by constraints, paradigms or by stories.”
Heirs Energies is a company that delivers and is seen in every aspect that it is involved.
These were the words of Osayande Igiehon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Heirs Energies, operator of OML 17 when he was talking about the company during the signing ceremony of Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) in Lagos.
In the aspect of gas people know what Heirs has achieved with OML 17, related to oil, the company has doubled production. “Heirs helped to catalyze the resolution of the protest that almost brought the country to its knees.”
Igiehon stated that Heirs is known for its prowess in brownfield oil and the company has done all it is required to fulfill. Its proprietary is brownfield excellence which essentially means it will make the most of what it has of all existing investments before embarking on new ones which has been extended to its gas structure.
“So when you reflect on this asset that is owned by our senior partner, NNPC and Heirs as the operator, it is 67 years old asset and Nigeria started producing oil in 1958 in one of those fields. It has been an emblematic field for Nigeria, and over the past five years that Heirs has operated this asset, it has transformed it like the poster child of the challenges of operating onshore Nigeria to one of the champion assets in Africa.
“We have de-risked and dismissed all the issues and constraints. We have taken away all the excuses, built relationships with our JP partner, regulator, host communities and catalyzed a whole new way of working.”
Heirs Energy is proud to be one of the companies that helped rekindle interest in onshore Nigeria that people look to invest. There’s a new different paradigm that people think about the indigenous oil company.
The company is situated in Rivers State from the middle of Port Harcourt to the north. It has a significant resource base with over a billion and a half of oil and two and a half trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. Heirs Energies has flow stations and associated gas plants that capture the gas that comes out of the oil and feeds it into the gas stream.
All the gas that Heirs Energies produces goes into the domestic market. The company does not export any of its gas, at present, it is the largest gross producer into the trans-Niger pipeline and the largest gas contributor supply into the eastern part of Nigeria.
Igiehon stated thus: “we are open to the challenge that we are brownfield champions of Africa. We have proven it. The record is there. We have done it in one of the most complex social economic and cultural settings. For those who understand the terrain that we operate, what it was before and what it is today, is a day and night in terms of operations. There is stability of operations and predictability to run a 67 year old asset and more than 85 to 90% of time is remarkable by 100% Nigerian team.”
Heirs gas agenda is simple; it is on a mission to address Africa’s energy base. The company is starting with Nigeria and OML 17 marks the starting point.
Heirs Energies has three key pillars for gas. The first pillar is to grow production while the second pillar is to eliminate routine flaring and the third pillar is to expand gas value chain.
However, there is a key component of catalyzing value chain expansion as a result of agreement reached.
The indigenous oil and gas company has doubled gas production and most power plants in the eastern part of the country are supplied by the company. It has tripled electricity generation in the eastern part of Nigeria.
Symbolically, it has signed five off take agreements.
Igiehon stated further on gas growth that Heirs took the asset at about 50 mmscf/d and following challenges in the beginning with theft, the company focus on oil. In 2024 Heirs de-risk the oil system and achieved substantial production level.
According to Igiehon, 2025 was a year of gas for Heirs Energies with significant results to show for the company and Nigeria. Gas production doubled from 50 mmscf/d to over 120 mmscf/d. At 50 mmscf, the company was only able to supply about 30 mmscf of gas into the market and reserved 20 mmscf for in-house use. “By the time, we are at 120 mmscf, we have essentially pushed about 100 mmscf into the eastern domestic market daily.”
It is catalytic and all the power plants are at full capacity. Those who live in eastern Nigeria see the difference.
The impact has changed life for many people, at homes, small and large businesses, and other things that go on. These were done without massive capital investment. Concerning innovation, Heirs has reactivated wells and completed some critical ongoing projects. Indeed, Heirs is brownfield champions not just a mere appellation, but from delivery.
Igiehon emphasised that Heirs agenda is to eliminate routine flaring and embrace Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) assist program for gas commercialization. The company ensures it embraces it wholeheartedly.
The oil and gas company signed NGFCP agreements with off takers for gas expansion.
“We are not doing it because it is regulation but truly believe that we have a critical role to address Africa’s energy challenges.”
Part of the investment thesis of Heir Energies for OML 17 was the fact that energy is critical to development which is a direct correlation.
“We truly believe from the perspective of Africa that investment concept of Heirs Energies that in Africa, the business sector needs to take the lead in investments, take it in the perspective of creating commercial success and also stimulating social good.”
OML 17 has created and supported wealth for the country and businesses. The company is creating with its oil and gas production, wealth for many new companies that will be catalyzed.
Igiehon revealed that some of the off takers are focused on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to transport, processed the gas before conveying it to other locations where it can be used.
Gas to power value is to build shared prosperity. Heirs Energies intertwined closely with its host communities for workable solutions that will enable and catalyze the communities within its jurisdiction.
Across board, the impact in energy and power systems affects the environment and aligns with regulation. There is also significant impact for employment, well being, industrialization, economic and energy security for the country.
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