…Records 100% Availability On Major Crude Oil Pipelines
Yemisi Izuora
The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline has crossed a major hurdle which is described as a leap towards measuring up other critical aspects that will lead to fruitful conclusion.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), said the project has successfully crossed the River Niger, boosting the hope of the project’s completion by Q4 2025.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who announced the significant milestone while delivering a Keynote Address at the 24th NOG Energy Week (NOG) on Tuesday, said the feat was achieved through effective and innovative contract reengineering and industry collaboration.
He also disclosed that for the first time in a long while, the nation enjoyed 100 per cent crude oil pipelines availability throughout June 2025.
The NNPCL says construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline has cleared a critical hurdle with the successful crossing of the River Niger, keeping the 421-mile project on schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Ojulari said the achievement was made possible “through effective and innovative contract re-engineering and industry collaboration.”
He added that Nigeria recorded “100 per cent crude oil pipeline availability throughout June 2025,” crediting industry-wide security measures led by NNPC for the uninterrupted operations.
While urging fresh investment to lift output, the CEO noted that NNPC’s steady fulfillment of cash-call obligations to joint-venture partners and the fiscal terms under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 have strengthened the company’s ability to finance new projects.
Looking ahead to NOG 2025, Ojulari said he wants the annual gathering to evolve from “a talk shop” into a forum where operational performance is showcased and concrete investment deal.
He said the feat which was possible through the industry-wide security interventions led by the NNPC helped to boost crude oil production.
He however called for more investments to boost production, adding that NNPC Ltd has been able to turn the narrative around by consistently meeting its cash-call obligations to Joint Venture operations.
He said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has placed NNPC Ltd in a good position to live up to its responsibility of leading the industry in financing projects.
On his vision for the NOG 2025, he said he would like the conference to transit from a talkshop to one where performances are celebrated and investment deals closed.