Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline to Supply Int'l Market With Gas From 3 African Nations: Nigerien Minister
14:42 28.08.2024 (Updated: 14:56 28.08.2024)
© Sputnik . Alexey Vitvitsky
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In July 2022, amid Europe's energy crisis, Algiers, Abuja, and Niamey signed a memorandum to resume the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project. This pipeline will run from southern Nigeria to northern Algeria, then connect to Europe's existing gas system. The planned capacity is 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
The future Trans-Saharan gas pipeline will supply the international markets, including Europe, with gas produced in Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria, Chaibou Ibrah Abdoul Nasser, Director General of Hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Petroleum, said in an interview with the Niger Press Agency on Tuesday.
"It will cross Niger for over 1,000 km and is a cooperation between Niger, Nigeria, and Algeria. Thanks to previous discussions, the ministers from these three countries have made commitments to build these gas pipelines that will supply the international market with gas from their three countries," he was quoted as saying.
According to him, by 2027, the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline should connect Nigeria with Algeria through Niger. Niger has proven gas reserves of more than 23 billion cubic meters ready for use, the official said.
"Once our gas is on the international market, we will have enormous benefits," Chaibou Ibrah said, adding that Niger will also benefit as a country through which the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline will pass.
The agreement to build a Trans-Saharan gas pipeline with a length of more than 4,000 km to transport gas from Nigeria to Algeria via Niger was signed by the authorities of the three countries back in 2009.
However, the project has been repeatedly postponed, including due to the activities of the rebel Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. At the time of the agreement, the total investment in the project was estimated at $10 billion.
