There are plans by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to extend the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline system across the Sahara to Algeria in North Africa.
The corporation’s Group Managing Director, Mr Maikanti Baru, said the extension of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline system is in accordance with the regulating body’s African integration drive.
Baru made the statement while receiving an award from the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria in Abuja. During the event, he stated that the extension of the interstate pipeline wasn’t the only one under consideration.
According to him, the Federal Government is also planning to extend the West African Gas Pipeline to Morocco. He, however, did not state categorically when NNPC will begin the extension of the two pipelines.
Baru also pledged to continuously support the objectives and ideas of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, stating that the association has become the pride of Nigeria because they house every expertise needed for the industry.
“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.”
Update on Kolmani River-II Well
Baru also gave an update on the on-going work at the Kolmani River-II Well, a site near Barambu, a village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. He stated that so far, drilling is at 6,700 feet.
The Indigenous contractor Messrs Etihad Oilfield Services, a subsidiary of AA&R Investment Group, is the contractor handling drilling operations. Drilling began on Kolmani River-II Well in last weekend of January 2019, and it is expected to be completed in 60 days.
“We are drillers and normally it takes us 60 days to drill a well. In 60 days you can come back and get feedback from NNPC,” the CEO of the company, Abdulrahman Bashir had promised when President Buhari officially flagged off drilling activities at the site.”
Meanwhile, in a statement by the NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, Baru explained that the target was 14,200 feet, although the depth could be longer, depending on finding.
