NNPC Mulls Plan To Extend Gas Pipeline To Algeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is considering extending the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline system across the Sahara to Algeria in North Africa.

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, disclosed this while receiving an award from the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

Baru said the consideration for the extension of the gas pipeline was in furtherance of the corporation’s African integration drive.

He further stated that the Federal Government was working to also extend the West African Gas Pipeline to Morocco.

The NNPC helmsman also told PETAN that the Kolmani River-II Well, which spud-in was flagged off last month by President Muhammadu Buhari, was progressing satisfactorily, with drilling of 6,700 feet so far.

In a statement issued by the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, Baru explained that the target was 14,200 feet, although the depth could be longer, depending on finding.

Prospecting for oil and gas in Kolmani River-II Well is one of the recent forays of the government into inland exploration in parts of the country.

Baru pledged to support the association, as he stated that “my pride in PETAN is that, today, we have the capacity and expertise as Nigerians to carry out any job in the industry that was hitherto done by foreigners.

“As a champion of Nigerian content, we will continue to support you in whatever way we can.”

The Chairman of PETAN, Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, commended Baru and cited the resumption of exploration in the inland basins and the flag-off of Bonga South–West project, which had been in the shelf for more than 10 years, as fruits of the GMD’s leadership.