Kunle Kalejaye 06 December 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Total E&P Nigeria Limited, TEPNG, under the NNPC/Total Joint Venture, have commenced supply of 100 million standard cubic feet per day, mmscf/d, of gas to the Alaoji Power Plant, owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, within the Eastern Grid Domestic Gas market.
The commencement of gas delivery to the power plant facility is sequel to the completion and start up of the Obite-Ubeta-Rumuji gas pipeline – also known as the O-U-R pipeline – and the Northern Option Pipeline – also known as NOPL – by the NNPC/Total Joint Venture in August this year.
The O-U-R pipeline is a 42-inch facility, extending 45 kilometres from Obite to Rumuji in Rivers State, and will transport both domestic and export gas. The NOPL project consists of a 50-kilometre, 24-inch gas pipeline, together with two above ground installations, which starts at the Oil Mining Lease, in Rivers State and ends at the Owaza node in Abia State.
The NOPL has the capacity to provide up to 300 million cubic feet of gas to the Eastern Grid Domestic Gas market, with Alaoji Power Plant taking up to 100mmscf/d to generate electricity while other users of domestic gas take up the rest.
“The completion of these pipelines is an important milestone in the activities of Total in Nigeria. The NOPL is unique and strategic in meeting the Federal Government’s objectives of gas supply to the domestic market ”, said Nicolas Terraz, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Total E&P Nigeria Limited.
The two critical gas infrastructures are part of the ambitious OML 58 upgrade initiative to increase oil and gas production, improve integrity of the facilities and eliminate flaring from the mature onshore field.
The projects recorded remarkable achievements in terms of Nigerian Content Development, providing training and capacity for Nigerian youths in specialised skills and stimulating the local economy through the numerous contracts and employment opportunities created during and after the projects phase.
In addition, the projects have provided sustainable community development projects in the crucial areas of clean water and health care support infrastructure, roads, agriculture and small and medium enterprises.