The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), yesterday said it was considering extending the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna – Kano (AKK) gas pipeline system across the Sahara to Algeria in North Africa.

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline is a 614km-long natural gas pipeline currently being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and forms phase one of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project.

The pipeline will cost an estimated $2.8 billion and is currently scheduled for commissioning in 2020.

Dr. Maikanti  Baru, the Group Managing Director  of the NNPC, who disclosed this while receiving an Award presented to him by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) executive for his landmark achievement in the development of Inland basins in the country,  said the development was   in furtherance of its African integration drive.

He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plan to also extend the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to Morocco and commended PETAN for its contribution to the development of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Dr. Baru explained that the target was 14,200 feet, although the depth could be longer depending on findings, even as he explained to the visiting PETAN Executive that President Muhammadu Buhari should be commended on the progress being made on the drilling of the well.

He pledged support for the association, saying: “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”. 

Speaking earlier, Mazi Bank Anthony Okoroafor, Chairman of PETAN, commended Dr. Baru for engineering transformation in every aspect of the Petroleum Industry since his assumption of office.

He cited the resumption of exploration in the inland basins and the flag-off of Bonga South–west project which has been in the shelf for more than 10 years as fruits of the GMD’s visionary leadership and doggedness. 

The PETAN Chairman stated that in recognition of Dr. Baru’s sterling performance and as a mark of appreciation to him, the association had decided to honour him with its “Visionary Leadership Award”.

He said Dr. Baru would also officially open the Nigerian Pavilion at the forthcoming Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and serve as keynote speaker on the theme: “Nigeria’s Deep water: The Journey So Far” at the conference.

He said the GMD would also serve as chairman of the technical session. 

The PETAN Chairman explained that the association was committed to the realization of the nation’s 4 million barrels per day production and 40 billion barrels reserve targets, adding that with Dr. Baru’s commitment, the targets would be achieved.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2019/03/20/nnpc-targets-extension-of-akk-gas-pipeline-to-algeria/

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