..Targets 30bcm annual supply
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Government has made progress on its proposed transcontinental gas pipeline project aimed at transporting Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves to European markets.
The pipeline, still at an early development stage, is being driven by a consortium of global industry players. It will undergo extensive technical, commercial, and regulatory processes, with stakeholders expressing optimism about its potential to reposition Nigeria in the global energy market and strengthen ties with Europe.
In a statement issued on Friday, spokesperson to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Ibah, said the initiative is designed to boost energy security and unlock long-term economic value for the country.
Described as a transformative gas corridor, the pipeline is expected to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually.
The route will run from Nigeria’s southern gas reserves through Chad and Libya, before extending offshore to Sicily, Italy, and onward into the broader European market.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, recently met with key stakeholders in London, United Kingdom, where discussions on the project were held.
He described the engagement as timely and historic, noting that Nigeria is well-positioned to attract new investments into its gas sector.
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Ekpo highlighted the enabling environment created by the Petroleum Industry Act and recent executive orders, which he said have strengthened investor confidence.
He emphasised the need for deliberate utilisation of Nigeria’s natural resources to improve livelihoods, adding that the country must maximise the benefits of its gas reserves.
The Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energies at NNPC Limited, Olalekan Ogunleye, reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to support the initiative.
He said the company’s Gas Master Plan aligns with the Federal Government’s gas-led development strategy and is focused on unlocking value across the entire gas value chain.
Ogunleye noted that the company is committed to creating investment opportunities, removing operational bottlenecks, and partnering with credible investors to drive growth in the sector.
Meanwhile, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Netoil Inc., Roger Tamraz, described the project as commercially viable and strategically important for Europe’s energy future.
He pointed to strong market demand and existing financing structures as key drivers of the project’s feasibility.
Other consortium partners also underscored the project’s benefits.
The Chief Executive Officer of Unicorn, Alain Bolo, said the pipeline could help reduce gas flaring while positioning Nigeria as a major gas supplier to Europe.
Similarly, Project Director at Netoil, Henry Erimodafe, described the initiative as a “strategic win-win,” with the potential to generate jobs, attract investments, and deliver long-term economic value for Nigeria and its partners.
