AKK: Oilserv group successfully lay pipelines across River Niger

Oilserv Limited, the contractor handling the Ajaokuta -Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project, says it successfully laid pipelines across the River Niger.

In a chat with journalists Saturday in Abuja, Group Chief Executive Officer, Oilserve Group, Dr. Emeka Okwuosa, said the feat was accomplished using the Horizontal Directional Drilling special technique that helped it minimize environmental impact.

The prospect of actualising the much talked about the was boost last week when contractor handling the phase 1, laid pipe across River Niger in Kogi State 

Dr. Okwuosa noted that in spite of the challenging terrain, the company was able to brave the odds and deliver the project with technical excellence.

With this, Oilserve became the first indigenous company to have successfully laid pipe across the River Niger.

The AKK 614 kilometers pipeline project is being executed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to transport natural gas from the Niger Delta region to northern Nigeria with the intent of extension to Morocco in North Africa for onward transmission to the European market.

Experts say the project when completed will boost the country’s economy as it is expected to be used for power generation, industrial and residential use in cities from Ajaokuta to Kano. Already, there are indications that offtaker such as power generation industries have been established in cities like Abuja and Kaduna awaiting supply.

Speaking on the crossing of the River Niger, Okwuosa said it was the major obstacle and challenge facing the project, hence the success can best be described as the achievement of a major milestone. 

On how soon the project would be completed, he said, “The plan and target of the project is to achieve its mechanical completion by the end of 2025.”

He described the Horizontal Directional Drilling method used as a special technology and technique that involved going through a consolidated formation to achieve the milestone.

“It is on record that technology is a trenchless method for installing underground utilities like pipes, conduits, or cables.

“This is done by using a surface-launched drilling rig to create a curved, underground path, minimising surface disruption.

“We have been working closely with the NNPC to overcome challenges.

“The crossing of River Niger, which is the major obstacle, is a major milestone. Without crossing the River Nigeria, you will not have a complete pipeline,” he said. 

Explaining the importance of the AKK pipeline project, he said it is a key part of Nigeria Gas Master plan.

“It transversed different terrains from thick jungle, and there were multiple river crossings carried out along the Right of Way and also heels and cliffs crossings. We had to cross roads and dual carriageways. It may appear simple, but a lot of times, you cross these without crossing the road. Physically, you have to drill across.

“But the significance of River Niger is that it is a huge river from one bank to the other.

“In this particular case, where we are is more than two kilometers. And we have to build this pipeline in a way that we respect the environment and avoid disturbing the water itself.

“The crossing was similar to the Channel Tunnel that was built from England to France in order to have train passage, as the Channel Tunnel was a larger diameter hole that enabled transport to go.”

According to him, out of the 614km pipeline, Oilserv is building 303km, approximately half of that, starting from the Ajaokuta all the way to the border between Kaduna State and Niger State.

“Part of it has already been built, namely – the Escravos Lagos Pipeline, which is in existence and OB3 pipeline, which completed its part four years ago. In our own segment, we have to blast rocks to be able to lay the pipeline. Most of the areas around Kogi are all rock.

“We are an indigenous company and the premier indigenous EPC pipeline company. There is no other company of the size and capacity of Oilserv to execute a project like this. It is a good testament.”

He listed challenges facing the project to include security, the terrain, flood, and logistics involved in moving the large pipes from the port to the relevant location.

On how the firm overcame the financial challenges that usually come with projects of such magnitude, he said, the African Export-Import bank (Afreximbank) and Fidelity Bank PLC from the local front provided the necessary support.

“Oilserv raises the money, achieves the milestone, puts its bill/invoice while the NNPCL pays,” he stated.

Speaking also, Engineer Engr. Gbola Adeniyi, AKK project manager, Oilserv limited, reiterated the company’s commitment to deliver on record time, saying “So certainly we’ll cross the 1.6 kilometre by the 40-inch pipeline. Despite the challenges there were good stories at the end of the day, the effort that has been put in place, the resources, both materials, equipment, human resources, and everything, we did for three months.

Three months. Upon the dedication of every management, from my chairman down to the lead person, commitment, the full support from the head of NGIC, Engineer Albert Bryan, supported by the EDP, everybody is on their toes to ensure the success. And that success was given to our partner, who is very, very physical on the ground to ensure that that job is completed.

“To be honest with you, the completion of River Niger is as good as, saying, AKK project is completed.

“However, regardless of whatever challenges, be it rock, muddy terrain, road crossing, we can surmount it. This is because on this project, we have more than about 13 major road crossings. This pipeline crossed Abuja-Okene Expressway, Abuja-Okene, Abuja-Okene in about three places. Then Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, and two places. Then from Abuja-Mina, Abuja-Bida, going all the way.

“When we opened the road, the rocks we excavated, drilled and blasted, will be able to fill up about 30 numbers, 30 tonnes trailer. 

“But the good thing is that at the end of the day, it was crossed, the road was stabilised, and as I speak to you now, the rehabilitation of the roads was completed. So, we are pushing daily to ensure that the AKK project is finished on stipulated timely giving by the Chairman, Okwuosa.”