The 4,400km onshore Trans Saharan Gas project pipeline (NIGAL pipeline) from Nigeria to Algeria is the longest planned gas pipeline in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said GlobalData in its analysis of oil and gas pipelines in the region
The Trans Saharan Gas project pipeline, also known as Trans-African gas pipeline, in which Trans Saharan Natural Gas Consortium is the operator, is scheduled to start operation by the end of 2021. The gas pipeline in Africa has a total capex of US$12bn, said GlobalData.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) holds a share of 45 per cent in the gas pipeline, with the Republic of Niger and Sonatrach SPA holding 10 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.
The idea of the Trans Saharan Gas project pipeline was developed with an aim to make the natural gas transportation in Africa smoother. As Africa is a hub for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil and other petroleum products, the African governments are taking many initiative to ensure an easy supply of these petroleum products in the continent, for economic development in region. Many international companies are showing growing interest to invest in Africa’s oil and gas projects, with the big names including BP, Italy’s Eni, France’s Total, Baker Hughes, along with the governments and regional oil and gas companies in Africa.
The African Renaissance Project pipeline, an onshore gas pipeline in Mozambique, is the second-largest gas pipeline in the region, with a length of 2,6000km. The stakeholders in this gas pipeline are China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos EP and Profin Consulting Sociedade Anonima. With a total capex of US$6bn, this gas pipeline is also set to start operation in 2021.
The third-longest pipeline in the region is the Gasnosu pipeline, also in Mozambique, with a length of 2,100km. The operation is scheduled to start in 2020. Operated by Matola Gas Co, Gigajoule International (Pty) Ltd has a 49.6 per cent stake in this pipeline. However, the other stakeholders are unknown. It has a total capex of US$4bn.
The fourth-longest gas pipeline in the EMEA region is Iranian Gas Trunk line-IGAT IX pipeline, with a length of 1,900km. Turkey’s Anatolian (TANAP) is the fifth-longest planned onshore gas pipeline in the region, with a total length of 1,850km.
