Oando flags off construction of gas pipeline project

Oando PLC has attended as a consortium partner the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the $2.8billion, 1 metre by 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Project. The flag-off ceremony was performed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

The AKK Pipeline Project, championed by two consortia comprising select indigenous and international companies commenced in 2013 with the announcement for tenders by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

In April 2018, the Company announced that following an extensive due diligence and bid process, the Oilserv-Oando PLC consortium was awarded the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mandate for segment 1, accounting for 1m by 303.4km linear pipeline system for the Ajaokuta to Kaduna portion of the AKK Pipeline Project by the NNPC.

The AKK Pipeline Project which will originate from Ajaokuta in Kogi state, traversing Abuja, Niger,Kaduna states, finally terminating in Kano state is the largest gas pipeline project in Nigeria’s history.

The project, expected to be completed within a 24-month timeline, is a 614km section of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) with the capacity to transport about 2.2billion cubic feet of gas per day. It will boost domestic utilization of natural gas for Nigeria’s social economic development when completed.

The project will support the addition of 3,600 megawatts of power to the national grid and connect energy demand from the Northern part of Nigeria with supply from the South thereby enabling power-starved communities across the Northern region to have greater access to electricity.

In addition, it will provide stranded commercial and industrial customers with a cleaner, more efficient source of self-generated energy. The project will enhance uptime at industrial clusters, enabling heavy duty plants in Northern parts of the country to return to internationally competitive operations.

Furthermore, it will significantly curb gas flaring in the Niger Delta and guarantee better air quality in the oil producing region whilst preserving the ecosystem.

Commenting on the AKK Pipeline Project, the Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, said: “As a proudly Nigerian company, focused on driving indigenous participation we have always been proponents of public private partnership in accelerating the actualization of the nation’s  goals.

We have aspired to play an integral role in the building out of the National Gas Infrastructure and Pipeline Grid, as evidenced by our efforts in 2009, post the Nigerian Gas Masterplan when we participated in the unrealized Calabar- Ajaokuta- Abuja-Kano (CAAK) line.

We have developed strategic partnerships with both private sector players and the NNPC in bringing sustainable solutions to spur the development of the country via our numerous gas development and distribution projects.

We commend the NNPC for spearheading projects that will soften the headwinds occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to be active participants in driving the country’s industrialization and actualization of the Gas Master Plan which will undoubtedly create employment opportunities and ultimately generate as well as enhance value for the nation.”

Oando has a corporate history of many firsts and successes in the gas and power sector. The Company was the first private sector player to enter gas distribution in Nigeria and pioneered gas distribution in the Greater Lagos area with the aim of spurring industrialization.

With over 280km in gas pipeline infrastructure built, the Company has also been able to provide unique energy solutions through its erstwhile subsidiaries:

• Gaslink Nigeria Limited whose gas pipeline network spans Ijora through Lagos Island’s Marina axis
• The East Horizon Group Company which operates a natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline traversing Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
• The Central Horizon Group Company, focused on the rehabilitation, operation and expansion of the existing natural gas distribution network in the Greater Port Harcourt City and Trans-Amadi area.

Other notable gas projects under the Company’s name include the development and management of the Alausa and Akute Independent Power Plants as well as a Compressed Natural Gas Plant that delivers CNG to industrial customers within a 250km radius of the Mother Station in Lagos.

All gas infrastructure projects that offer clean and affordable energy solutions, which equate to significant cost advantages for industries across the country.

Oando PLC is Africa’s leading indigenous energy company operating in the upstream sector, with interests in the downstream. The Company has a primary listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and is the first African company to have a cross-border inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

In 2014, Oando acquired ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian business through its upstream subsidiary, Oando Energy Resources (OER), making it the country’s leading indigenous oil and gas producer.

OER has a portfolio of oil and gas assets in Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe. The Company holds interests in 14 licenses for exploration, development, and production of oil and gas concessions with a net average production currently at 53,000~boepd.

Oando Trading DMCC (OTD) is a supply and trading company and a fully-owned subsidiary of Oando PLC.

Oilserv Limited was incorporated in 1992 and commenced operations in 1995. Oilserv is a leading provider of integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) services and complementary solutions across the asset and program life cycle within the onshore, offshore and subsea market segments of the oil and gas sector.

The Company has pooled the expertise of highly qualified and experienced Engineers, Technicians and other support Personnel to provide Total Quality Services (TQS) to the Multinational, Local Oil & Gas and Power Companies/Industries operating in Nigeria for Onshore & Offshore activity. Oilserv has successfully delivered over 17 projects in the country including the EPC of the 67 kilometre Obiafu / Obrikom to Oben (OB3) 48 inch diameter Gas Transmission Pipeline System as well as four major gas projects for Oando PLC – the upgrade of the Ikeja/NGC City Gate, EPC for the Akute Independent Power Plant, 18” by 128km South-South Gas Transmission Pipeline System from Ukanafun in Akwa bom State to the Unicem plant in Calabar and Greater Lagos Phases I, II, III and IV Gas Distribution Network Systems.