Algeria, Niger, Nigeria Take Steps to Build $13 Billion Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline

(Reuters) — Algeria, Niger and Nigeria have set up a task force to build the 2,565-mile Trans-Saharan gas pipeline that has been in the works for more than 40 years, Niger's oil ministry said on Wednesday.

The three countries held talks this week to revive the decades-old project to pipe gas across the Sahara, a potential opportunity for Europe to diversify its gas sources.

Niger oil ministry said the countries have already designated an entity to update the feasibility study, during a two-day meeting in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.

The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline is an estimated $13 billion project that could send up to 30 billion cubic meters a year of supplies to Europe.

The idea was first proposed more than 40 years ago, and an agreement signed between the countries in 2009, but progress stalled.

The revival comes at a strategic time, as the European Union seeks to wean itself off Russian gas following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is seeking alternative sources.

"(The pipeline) should allow Europe to diversify its sources of natural gas supply but also allow several African states to access this high value energy source," said the statement.

With a length of 4,128 kilometres (2,565 miles), the pipeline would start in Warri, Nigeria, and end in Hassi R'Mel, Algeria, where it would connect to existing pipelines that run to Europe.

Nigeria also took steps this month to move forward on another long-awaited pipeline, which would go through West Africa and Morocco to Europe. 

Energy ministers of the three countries will meet again in Algiers at the end of July to validate the proposals of the newly installed task force, Niger's statement said.

 

Related News

Comments

{{ error }}
{{ comment.comment.Name }} • {{ comment.timeAgo }}
{{ comment.comment.Text }}