Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project (TSGP) relaunched

Nigeria, Niger and Algeria signed a tripartite known as the Niamey declaration to relaunch the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project (TSGP). The ECOWAS Mines and Petroleum Exhibition Forum (ECOMOF 2022), took place from 16th February to 18th February 2022 in Niamey. The three countries are aiming to see the project generate income and create job opportunities. The gas pipeline will start from Warri in Nigeria and reach Hassi R’Mel in Algeria via Niger with a length of 4128 kilometers.

A Task Force was set up during the meeting which is obligated to meet frequently with an aim of working together towards this direction and also to speed up the implementations of the commitments made by the three stakeholders. The stakeholders of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project were represented by the Minister of Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, Mr. Timipre Sylva, the Minister of Energy and Mines of Algeria, Mr. Mohamed Arkab and the Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energies of Niger, Mr.Mahamane Sani Mahamadou.

Mr. Mahamane sani Mahamadou praised his country for maintaining a good relationship with Algeria and Nigeria which resulted to bilateral discussions that yielded to reactivation of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project. On the other hand The Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, Mr. Timipre Sylva urged the African countries to unite and collaborate on projects capable of reducing the heavy burdens that weigh on each country taken individually.He also added that his country Nigeria is committed to reduce the cost of the project by constructing the largest part of the Trans-Saharan Pipeline in their territory which will be 614km long.

Economic growth

Mr. Mohamed Arkab who is the Minister of Energy and Mines in Algeria added that the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project’s success will see the gains in growth and development of the regions where the gas pipeline will cross. He also added that the holding of the Niamey meeting was the proof of the excellent cooperation and partnership between African countries. He finished by saying that the project will he carried out by the three countries together until completion.

Reported in September 2021

Algeria revives plans for Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project TGSP

The government of Nigeria is reportedly making strides towards the revival of the stalled Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project that has been on the pipeline since the 1970s.

The project, poised to run from Kano in Nigeria through Niger to Hassi R’Mel in Algeria, has faced numerous challenges over the years including opposition by environmentalists preserving the Niger River delta, and terror threats from the militant groups that threatened to attack pipeline crew.

Steps taken so far to the revival of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project 

Recently, Toufik Hakkar, the head of Société Nationale pour la Recherche, la Production, le Transport, la Transformation, et la Commercialisation des Hydrocarbures s.p.a. (Sonatrach) announced that the technical layout for the construction of the pipeline had been completed.

The route for the TSGP, according to Mr. Hakkar, has also been decided and Sonatrach, which is an Algerian government-owned company formed to exploit the hydrocarbon resources of the North African country, is now preparing to engage in talks with Niger and Nigeria in regards to the implementation of the said project.

New impetus to Nigeria-Algeria relations 

Mohamed Arkab, Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Mines affirmed that the government will pay special attention to the rapid completion of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project “which will give a new impetus to the relationship between Nigeria and Algeria in terms of technical cooperation and capacity-strengthening”.

“This project will have a significant social and economic impact in the transit countries, within the framework of environmental protection and sustainable development,” added Minister Arkab.