Federal Government to re-open 180,000bpd Trans Niger Pipeline after 6 months of closure
Six months after the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) was shut down due to vandalism and oil theft, the Federal Government is set to re-open the pipeline which has a production capacity of 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
GbaramatuVoice learnt that Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) serves as part of Nigeria’s gas liquids evacuation infrastructure, which is vital for domestic power generation and the export of liquefied gas.
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According to a statement released by the General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr Bala Bunti on his official Twitter handle, the Trans Niger Pipeline will enhance Nigeria’s oil production capacity.
The General Manager noted that NAPIMS has been in talks with the host communities along the pipeline to bolster security for the crucial oil infrastructure.
“The NAPIMS leadership delegation under the General Manager of Joint Venture operations, Engr Zakariya Budawara, had spent the last one week with the Bodo community in Gokana LGA of Rivers State where the pipeline is situated and runs through”. He said.
Bunti further stated that the people of Bodo have pledged their commitment to ensure the security of the oil infrastructure in exchange for improved quality of life, job creation and capacity building.
It will be recalled that the Trans Niger Pipeline was shut down by Shell Petroleum Development Company because of vandalization and oil theft. It has been moribund ever since because no crude has flown through it.
Investors King had earlier reported that Nigeria’s oil production has been characterised by theft, vandalism and sabotage which has led to a massive drop in production.
Some major oil companies had announced a cease of operation because of vandalism and insecurity.
In July 2022, the Managing Director and Country Chair for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Osagie Okunbor said oil theft was one of the reasons that Nigeria could not meet its OPEC quota of 1.8 million barrels a day.
Similarly, in August 2022, for the first time in five years, Nigeria lost its crown as Africa’s largest oil producer to Angola.
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