OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited has declared a force majeure following vandalism of its NOPL line at KP41 in Alaoma Etche Cluster resulting in the shutdown of the 504MW Alaoji Power plant.
A letter from TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, disclosed that the NOPL pipeline was vandalised on 7th January 2022.
As a result, the line block valve at KP38 was closed to isolate the sabotage point and depressurisation of the line.
This, the firm said will affect the Alaoji (Power Plant) until further notice, as gas supply was suspended.
“Preliminary investigation to determine the extent of the damage is ongoing, and repair works shall commence as soon as feasible.”
The Management of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC Limited said it regrets to announce the shutdown of the plant.
Recall that Omotosho NIPP was shut down last month when Nigeria Gas Company, NGC due to system wide curtailment of all gas shippers (gas producers/off takers) by Nigeria Gas Company, NGC to forestall the imminent collapse of the gas grid.
Th NGC said at the time that the Trans-Forcardos Pipeline, TFP, belonging to NGC was breached on December 17, 2021.
The breach led to the deferment of about 250MMscfd of gas from the pipeline network, a situation that brought the network pressure to abysmal levels, thereby triggering an emergency.
The curtailment impacted operations of the NDPHC Limited negatively with Omotosho NIPP being shut down and gas supply to Geregu NIPP and Ihovbor NIPP also limited, thus leading to part load or low generation from these available power plants.
The NDPHC assured that the Alaoji Power Plant and others will resume power generation as soon as gas supply is restored.
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