Brief Introduction

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline is a 614km-long natural gas pipeline currently being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
It is set to be laid between Ajaokuta and Kano in Nigeria and forms phase one of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project.
The pipeline project is being implemented via a build and transfer (BT) public-private partnership (PPP) model, which involves the contractor providing 100% of the funding.
The pipeline will cost an estimated $2.8bn and is currently scheduled for commissioning in 2020.
It will feature a diameter of 40in and is expected to transport 3,500 million metric standard cubic feet per day (Mmscfd) of dehydrated wet gas from several gas gathering projects located in southern Nigeria.

Background

The project will result in the establishment of a connecting pipeline network between the eastern, western and northern regions of Nigeria.
It also aims to create a steady and guaranteed gas supply network between the northern and southern parts of Nigeria by utilising the country’s widely available gas resources.
In addition, the development is expected to reduce the large volume of gas flared annually in Nigeria, as well as the subsequent environmental impact.
NNPC originally announced tenders for the development of the AKK pipeline in July 2013.
A project proposal was submitted to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in June 2017.
The PPP compliance certificate was issued in July 2017 along with the approval of the feasibility study.
The pipeline is slated to originate from Ajaokuta and pass through Abuja and Kaduna, before ending at a terminal gas station in Kano.
The project will be executed in three phases, with phase one covering the construction of a 200km-long segment between Ajaokuta and Abuja Terminal Gas Station at a cost of $855m.
Phase two will comprise a 193km-long section to be built between Abuja and Kaduna at a cost of approximately $835m.
Phase three will involve the construction of a 221km-long section between the Kaduna terminal gas station (TGS) and Kano TGS. This section will cost an estimated $1.2bn to complete.
Other infrastructure planned for the development includes various associated valve stations, as well as intermediate and terminal facilities.
The natural gas pipeline is expected to require the laying of approximately 51,200 steel line 40in-diameter pipes featuring a total combined weight of 240,768t.
Furthermore, the project will utilise 24in-diameter steel line pipes for spur lines, as well as 40in-diameter line break valves and future tie-in valves.The Federal Executive Council (FEC) granted approval for the project in December 2017.

Contractors:

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for phase one was awarded to OilServe / Oando consortium in April 2018.with a total length of 40-inch x 200km stretching from Ajaokuta to Abuja Terminal Gas Station (TGS), was awarded to the OilServe/Oando Consortium.

The Brentex / China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP) consortium was awarded the EPC contract for phase three.Totally Inclouding 310.6 km of 40-inch main line pipe, 15 km of 24-inch branch pipe, 2 pigging stations, 2 receiving measurement stations, 10 valve rooms and their ancillary facilities.