Review of the Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN)

Since its issuance in 1991, by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN) has remained an important document in the Nigerian oil and gas sector. EGASPIN outlines environmental and safety standards that must be complied with by oil operators in Nigeria, to prevent, minimise and control pollution from the various aspects of petroleum operations. According to the DPR, it is the intention of the Department ‘to update this publication periodically as new knowledge becomes available.’1 EGASPIN was subsequently revised and updated in 2002, 2016 and 2018.
Given the significance of the EGASPIN to enhancing environmental sustainability and good governance in the Nigerian oil sector, it is pertinent to review and assess various aspects of the 2018 EGASPIN in light of current knowledge and advancements in international best practices, laws, governance methodologies and pollution control technologies. The objective of this study is to:(i) review and evaluate EGASPIN to determine its alignment with international best practice on environmental protection, especially during approval, operations and decommissioning phases of the oil and gas sector value chain;(ii) identify existing gaps; and (iii) provide recommendations on improvements that would increase its effectiveness.