Abuja: Oilserv Limited, the contractor handling the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project, says the pipeline has successfully crossed the River Niger, using the Horizontal Directional Drilling special technique, minimising environmental impact.
Dr Emeka Okwuosa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Limited, said this on Friday in Abuja during a chat with journalists.
While confirming the development, Okwuosa stated that the company delivered the project with technical excellence despite the challenging terrain.
The project, executed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), is a 614 km natural gas pipeline project.
It is designed to transport gas for power generation, industrialisation and residential use from Ajaokuta to Kano, passing through Kaduna and Abuja.
Okwuosa stated that crossing the River Niger, which was the primary obstacle and challenges facing the project, marked a significant milestone achieved.
He said that the plan and target of the project was to achieve its mechanical completion by the end of 2025.
He described the Horizontal Directional Drilling method used as a special technology and technique which involved going through a consolidated formation to achieve the milestone.
The technology is a trenchless method for installing underground utilities, such as pipes, conduits, or cables.
This is done by using a surface-launched drilling rig to create a curved, underground path, minimising surface disruption.
“We have been working closely with the NNPC to overcome challenges.
“The crossing of River Niger, which is the major obstacle, is a major milestone.
Without crossing the River Nigeria, you will not have a complete pipeline,” he said.
He stated that the AKK pipeline was a crucial component of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.
According to him, it traversed different terrains, including thick jungle, and there were multiple river crossings carried out along the Right of Way, as well as crossings of hills and cliffs.
“We had to cross roads and dual carriageways. It may appear simple, but often, you cross these without crossing the road. Physically, you have to drill across.
“But the significance of River Niger is that it is a massive river from one bank to the other.
“In this particular case, we are is more than two kilometres. And we have to build this pipeline in a way that we respect the environment and avoid disturbing the water itself,” he said.
Okwuosa described the crossing as being similar to the Channel Tunnel, which was built from England to France to facilitate train passage.
He said that the Channel Tunnel was a larger-diameter hole that enabled transportation to go through.
According to him, out of the 614 km pipeline, Oilserv is building 303 km, approximately half of which, starting from Ajaokuta, extends to the border between Kaduna State and Niger State.
He stated that the project was a key component of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.
“Part of it has already been built, namely – the Escravos Lagos pipeline, which is in existence, and the OB3 pipeline, which was completed its part four years ago.
“In our segment, we have to blast rocks to be able to lay the pipeline. Most of the areas around Kogi are all rock.
“We are an indigenous company and the premier indigenous EPC pipeline company. There is no other company of Oilserv’s size and capacity to execute a project like this. It is a good testament,” he said.
He listed the challenges facing the project, which included security, terrain, flooding, and logistics involved in moving the large pipes from the port to the relevant location.
He stated that in funding the project, NNPC Ltd. had successfully overcome the challenges of financing.
According to him, with support from Afreximbank, Oilserv raises the money, achieves the milestone, and presents its bill/invoice while NNPC pays.