The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project is nearing completion. This phase is crucial as it defines the project’s scope, budget, schedule, technical specifications, and risk assessments, establishing a blueprint for detailed engineering and construction.
Leila Benali, Morocco’s Energy Minister, confirmed that the report and said it includes determining the optimal pipeline route and conducting evaluation, field, and environmental and social impact studies. This project aligns with a pragmatic approach to energy transition, ensuring stable energy supply and supporting broader economic and social development in the region.
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Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline
The NMGP will span 5,600 kilometers, making it the second-longest pipeline globally, trailing only the West-East gas pipeline in China. The pipeline’s journey starts at Brass Island in Nigeria and extends to the northern region of Morocco. It connects with the existing Maghreb European Pipeline, originating from Algeria and extending to Spain. The project spans 5,600 kilometers and passes through 13 African countries, linking Nigeria to West African nations, Morocco, and ultimately Europe
The NMGP will be developed in three phases. The first phase focuses on Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco. The pipeline’s annual transportation capacity is projected at 30 billion cubic meters, which is six times Morocco’s annual gas consumption.
Over the past two years, Nigeria and Morocco have made substantial progress, highlighted by several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at solidifying commitments and facilitating project development.
Benali emphasized the necessity of natural gas to manage the intermittency of renewable energy sources, highlighting the current limitations in relying solely on solar or wind energy due to their non-constant nature.