Energy experts are calling for a significant overhaul of Nigeria's pipeline network to tap into the country's vast gas resources, improve supply to industries, and mitigate environmental and operational risks. The experts made these remarks during the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service B2B Matchmaking Programme for international pipeline companies, held on the sidelines of the 2026 International Pipeline Conference and Expo in Calgary, Canada.
According to Dr Eloho Amagada, Chief Executive Officer of Amelin Projects Ltd and a board member of the Pipeline Professionals Association of Nigeria (PLAN), Nigeria has substantial gas reserves, but lacks adequate infrastructure to connect production with growing domestic and industrial demand. Nigeria's proven gas reserves stand at about 215.19 trillion cubic feet, while the country's pipeline network exceeds 2,500 kilometres.
Amagada estimated that expanding the network could require about $22 billion in potential investment. He noted that stronger pipeline infrastructure would support power generation, manufacturing, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, and other gas-based industries. In 2025, Nigeria supplied about 4.7 billion cubic feet of commercialised gas daily, with domestic supply accounting for approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet.
Amagada emphasised that ageing pipelines pose significant integrity risks, as existing defects could worsen under operating and environmental conditions. He disclosed that Amelin Projects recently inspected a 55-kilometre pipeline and identified more than 3,000 defects, including sections with substantial wall loss.
Amagada urged operators to move away from reactive maintenance towards risk-based systems capable of identifying and addressing defects before they result in failures. He also advocated for greater use of digital monitoring, leak detection, regular inspections, and artificial intelligence in pipeline surveillance, citing the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline as an example of technology overcoming difficult geographical conditions.
Reuben Temerigha, Managing Director of Westend Diamond Energy Ltd, echoed Amagada's sentiments, stressing the need for operators to prioritise maintenance based on failure risks rather than pipeline age alone. Temerigha recommended combining inspection results, operating records, and targeted field assessments to identify defects requiring immediate attention.
The five-day conference brought together pipeline operators, engineers, regulators, contractors, and technology providers from around the world to discuss infrastructure development, pipeline integrity, and emerging technologies in the sector. Government gas development plans project production of about 10 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet daily by 2030, which will require sufficient pipeline capacity to evacuate gas from producing areas.
Key points
- Nigeria's gas reserves stand at 215.19 trillion cubic feet.
- The country's pipeline network exceeds 2,500 kilometres.
- Expanding the network could require about $22 billion in potential investment.
