Baru Reveals Algeria Pipeline Plans

Nigeria is considering taking its planned northern corridor gas supply pipeline further north.

Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the state-run oil and gas firm, plans to amend its pipeline plans to extend it into Algeria.

Maikanti Baru, head of NNPC, told members of PETAN that in furtherance of NNPC’s African integration drive, it was considering extending the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline system across the Sahara to Algeria.

NNPC indicated more than six months ago that it was working with a Chinese consortium to finalize the term sheet for financing of the 614-km, AKK pipeline project estimated to cost $2.8 billion.

Baru also revealed that the government plans to extend the WAGP to Morocco, reaffirming the government’s plan to the WAGP to Morocco, and commended PETAN for its contribution to the development of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

The NNPC chief confirmed the company was making progress in its search for oil in the northern part of the country, adding that the Kolmani River-II well, which spud last month, has recorded a drilling progress of 6,700 ft.

According to a statement, Baru made the disclosures when he received an award from executives of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

The statement signed by NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, quoted Baru as saying that the target of the corporation for the Kolmani River drill was 14,200 ft, even as he added that the depth could be longer, depending on findings