FG initiates talks with Libya for gas pipeline project

• Published On: 22 September 2024 at 16:44

The Nigerian government has begun discussions with Libya about constructing a gas pipeline between the two countries.

This was revealed by the Minister of Petroleum (gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, during a meeting with Libya's Minister of Oil, Dr. Khalifa AbduAlsadik, on the sidelines of the Gastech Exhibition and Conference 2024 in Houston, USA, according to Nairametrics.

Ekpo stated that the proposed gas pipeline would run from Nigeria to Libya.

According to him, the goal of this strategic meeting is to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation.

Ekpo stated, "Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, meets with Libya's Minister of Oil, Dr. Khalifa AbduAlsadik, on the sidelines of the Gastech Exhibition and Conference 2024, held in Houston, USA, to discuss the possibility of developing a regional gas pipeline from Nigeria to Libya.

"This strategic meeting aims to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries.

"On the Nigerian delegation were Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, EVP Gas NNPC Ltd, Mr. Maher Giundi, International Business Advisor to the GCEO of NNPCL and Mr. Odiong Ekanem, Technical Adviser to Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas); while the Libyan team had Dr. Basteet Al Ashab, Mr. Khalid Jatbi and Mr. Yousef Al Shatwi."

Discussions about building a regional pipeline between Nigeria and Libya have been ongoing, as both countries are major oil and gas producers in Africa.

In 2022, Libya's then-Oil Minister, Mohamed Aoun, suggested that the $13 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) be routed through Libya rather than Algeria.

Once completed, the cross-border pipeline will transport gas from Nigeria to other African countries as well as the European market.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has been transitioning from oil to gas in the oil and gas sector for decades, aided by the country's abundant gas reserves in comparison to crude oil reserves.

According to the most recent data from the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Nigeria's crude oil reserves are estimated to be 37 billion barrels, while the country has approximately 202 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas reserves, of which approximately 139.4 tcf are deemed recoverable.

President Tinubu has reinforced the shift toward gas by issuing new executive orders to boost the gas industry.