| There are strong indications that Oilserv Limited, one of the companies handling the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline is almost ready for tomorrow’s flag off and ground breaking ceremony of the project.
Financial Energy Review has also gathered that about 95 percent of the work preparatory to take-off at the site were already set. It also disclosed that everything needed for the Tuesday’s event was in place, and that the company was looking forward to a successful ground beaking ceremony. The project which will be executed by a consortium of indigenous and international engineering firms to deliver a 614-kilometer gas pipeline, and providing the desired stimulus for domestic industrial growth, is expected to be witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari who will also be welcomed as the special guest of honor. “This project will also signal the finest hour so far for the Nigerian Content Policy goals. The president, by the flag off of this project at Ajaokuta, Kogi State, would be turning to reality some of the nation’s long term economic aspirations of boosting domestic energy infrastructure, by deepening the local gas market, creating industrial corridors with cleaner fuel, and commercializing the country’s abundant gas resources. “The project, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC, will significantly curb gas flaring in the Niger Delta and guarantee better air quality in the oil producing region.” Oilserv said in a statement. “Furthermore, the pipeline, which was conceived to connect demand from the northern part of the country with supply from the south, would be the biggest infrastructure development in the country’s recent history. It will also mark a significant shift in the nation’s energy policy; from revenue, targeted export programmes to development focused domestic supply programmes.” “Significantly, the $2.8 billion project will break through on the 30th of June after seven years of rigorous processes that morphed from policy conception through implementation strategy designs, master-plans and solid implementation programmes.” “Perhaps the biggest value to the economy is the participation of indigenous engineering firms led by pipeline giant, Oilserv Limited, in the delivery of some of the phases of the project.” “The company has successfully delivered over 17 similar challenging projects in the country including the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the 67-kilometre Obiafu/Obrikom to Oben (OB3) 48-inch diameter Gas Transmission Pipeline System.” |
Meanwhile, OilServ Limited, EPC partner in the 40-inch by 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK Gas Pipeline project whose kick off was just flagged off by President Buhari, will deploy more than 3, 000 workers in order to facilitate the completion of the project within record time. This was disclosed by the management at the flag off ceremony at the Ajaokuta complex in Kogi state.
The Financial Energy Review reported that Engr. Emeka Okwuosa Chairman and CEO of Oilserv who will lead his team of Engineers is expected to see the completion of his firm’s 303-kilometer share of the project on record time of 12 months, with commissioning billed for 18 months, certainly earlier than federal government’s 24-month timeline. Oilserv is expected to handle the project running from Ajaokuta through to several kilometers after Abuja.
The 303 km involves running an in-built tracking sensor gas pipe of 40-inch diameter to ensure protection, safety and easy maintenance on completion.
Part of the safety and quality measures which Oilserv has put in place include, automated machines to weld most of the components to ensure quality construction that meets international standard. Oilserv assures that all the engineering works on the project will be carried out by certified Nigerian engineers as part of its effort to promote local content in the oil and gas sector.
An in-house source said the company was going to ensure that all environmental friendly measures would be maintained. The company also says it will continue to maintain a good relationship with its host communities, including all communities who gave them the right of way in the course of the project.
