Bennett Oghifo
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) says it is going to collaborate with the Pipeline Professionals Association of Nigeria (PLAN) to strengthen indigenous capability, cut back pipeline operational prices and enhance infrastructure financing.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr Bashir Ojulari, mentioned this when members of PLAN, led by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr Geoff Onuoha, paid him a courtesy go to on Thursday in Abuja.
Ojulari recognized capability constructing, value discount and modern financing as key areas of collaboration between the corporate and the skilled affiliation.
“By working collectively, we will cut back general pipeline prices and make extra tasks economically viable and enticing to traders.
“The partnership will focus on developing individual expertise and training more pipeline engineers to strengthen indigenous technical capacity in the oil and gas industry,” Ojulari mentioned.
On financing, he disclosed that NNPC Ltd. had raised 1.5 billion {dollars} for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project based mostly solely on projected pipeline throughput.
He described the event as a milestone, noting that it demonstrated the viability of securing financing for pipeline infrastructure independently of upstream or downstream tasks.
Ojulari mentioned the financing mannequin had created alternatives for related tasks, including that NNPC Ltd. would discover additional collaboration with PLAN in creating bankable pipeline tasks.
On pipeline safety, he mentioned the corporate was working with authorities safety businesses and group surveillance contractors underneath an built-in pipeline safety framework coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He defined that the strategy mixed standard safety measures with group engagement to handle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and different operational challenges.
According to him, the technique has improved the provision of main pipelines to between 95 and 100 per cent over the past 18 months.
Ojulari additional emphasised the significance of host group improvement, saying the efficient implementation of Host Community Development Trusts underneath the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 was contributing to improved relations with host communities.
He mentioned NNPC Ltd. was additionally exploring methods to advertise shared prosperity by way of job creation and different financial alternatives to discourage youths from participating in pipeline vandalism.
Earlier, Onuoha mentioned PLAN had constantly advocated the combination of social concerns into pipeline operations, including that host communities should have a way of possession and involvement in defending the infrastructure.
He mentioned the affiliation had developed and promoted social metrics for pipeline operations, recognising that efficient pipeline safety depended not solely on technical measures but additionally on the connection between operators and host communities.
“And we’ve been speaking with NNPC on that, particularly on the social, technical relationship so far as pipeline operation is worried.
“The association’s advocacy has contributed to discussions around host community development and the need to strengthen the social dimension of pipeline operations,” he mentioned.
Also talking, PLAN’s Vice President, Mr Adeche Omotosho-Oboro, mentioned the go to was geared toward strengthening engagement with NNPC Ltd., and establishing a strategic partnership to handle challenges within the transportation of crude oil and gasoline.
Omotosho-Oboro, who can also be the Managing Director of Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd., mentioned the affiliation was bringing pipeline professionals collectively to advertise collective options to infrastructure and transportation challenges.
He recognized safety, long-term infrastructure planning and indigenous technical capability as key areas requiring collaboration with NNPC Ltd.
He mentioned the partnership would allow trade professionals to align their technical capabilities with NNPC Ltd.’s long-term plans for pipeline infrastructure and projected transportation necessities.
He added that PLAN’s forthcoming 2026 Nigerian International Pipeline Technology and Energy Conference and Exhibition (NIPITECS), scheduled to carry from Nov. 17 to Nov. 18, would deal with financing and creating bankable pipeline tasks.
Mr Audu Ibrahim, Managing Director, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd., was appointed as PLAN’s NNPC point of interest individual to strengthen coordination between the affiliation and the nationwide oil firm.
Speaking on the appointment, Ibrahim described it as a chance to advance the oil and gasoline trade by way of stronger partnerships and the combination of indigenous technical experience.
He mentioned though NNPC Ltd. already labored with a number of members of the affiliation of their particular person capacities as service suppliers, PLAN supplied a platform for consolidating their experience right into a unified useful resource.
“The platform will allow NNPC Ltd. to leverage the collective data and capabilities of pipeline professionals to enhance trade operations and ship higher outcomes.
Highlights of the go to included the presentation of plaque to the NNPC Ltd. GCEO, in addition to the presentation of the brochure for the 2026 NIPITECS and knowledge supplies on PLAN.
