The Federal Government effort to improve power supply in the country has received a boost as Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited announced the completion of Northern Option Pipeline (NOPL) from Km 38 at Obigbo to Km 50 at Imo River.
The project was completed in January, and is now ready for gas inflow to the National Integrated Power Plant (NIPP) at Alaoji, along the Imo River in Abia State.
In a statement made available to BusinessDay, deputy general manager, policy, media and coordination, Total, described it a milestone.
“This milestone will help bring to reality the Federal Government’s aspiration of improved electric power supply in Nigeria, and demonstrates Total’s commitment to meeting its promises to deliver better energy,” said Elisabeth Proust, managing director, Total E&P Nigeria.
The NOPL is a 24-inch wide, 50 km long pipeline under construction by Total E&P Nigeria on behalf of the NNPC/TEPNG joint venture.
When completed later this year, the project will deliver 100 million cubic feet of gas per day to the strategic power plant.
The Federal Government requested Total E&P Nigeria to complete a section of the NOPL from Km 38 (at Obigbo) to Km 50 at Imo River, where the line will connect to the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) facilities; the point that allows gas inflow to the Alaoji Power Plant.
This intervention for early gas required that TEPNG mobilised additional resources to fast track the works in order to meet the deadline despite numerous changes associated with the difficult terrain.
The gas now being supplied to the Alaoji Power Plant during the interim period will come from Seven Energy, while NGC will transport the gas through its pipeline and the section of NOPL.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK
