Brussels, 09/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Algerian energy minister Chakib Khelil, the Director General of the Nigerian department of oil resources, Tony Chukwueke and the Niger energy minister, Mohammed Abdoullahi were the senior guests at a conference organised on Monday in Brussels by the Algerian companies Sonatrach and NNPC from Niger. The two companies are in charge of implementing the project and promoting the trans-Saharan gas pipeline project that will help to substantially supply Europe with Nigerian gas. Still enthusiastic about promoting new pipelines and gas pipelines in third countries, in an effort to support diversification and security of Union energy supplies, energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs reiterated his in principle support for the project and the need to stimulate and mobilise financial resources and European investor participation in the project.
As part of the New Partnership for African Development (NPAD, development project initiative by several African Heads so state), the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) is a substantial intercontinental gas transporting project that aims to connect (via, Niger, Nigeria and Algeria) Europe by way of the intermediate Medgaz gas pipelines under the sea (connection with Spain) and Galsi (connection with Italy through Sardinia). The TSGP will have a planned annual transport capacity of 20-30 billion m³. It will be 4 188 kilometres long, 1 037 kilometres of which will go through Nigeria, 841 through Niger and 2 310 through Algerian territory. The project's estimated costs stand at $10bn and is expected to be up and running in 2015. It will also be accompanied by a fibre optic telecommunications network.
Mr Khelil explained to the press that, “We are still not a the company project stage” (of the consortium that will be managing the project: Ed). Like his Nigerian and Niger counterparts, Mr Khelil (Mr Chukwueke was speaking on behalf of this minister Edmund Daukoru) launched an appeal to the international and European community - countries, multilateral institutions, business leaders and banks - to join Sonatrach and NNPC to complete the project. Algerian, Nigerian and Niger government representatives gave their support to the results of a project feasibility project carried out between May 2005 and September by the consultant Penspen/IPA. Abdoullahi provided assurances that “demonstrate the viability of the project from a financial, technical and international standpoint”. His country will be ensuring the transit of Nigerian gas. Interviewed by EUROPE, Khelil, Chukwueke and Abdoullahi also provided assurances to the press of the infrastructure security in the face of possible terrorist risks.
The TSGP has two objectives. Firstly, explained Mr Khelil, it is a “project, structuring the African continent”. A big development project for the regions, that in both the centre and the north of Nigeria and the broad Algerian south, do not have gas infrastructure and which could therefore benefit from gas supplies in this way. Niger, the transit country and the neighbouring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso, could also benefit from the project. The arrival of natural gas in these zones is expected to help create viable and clean economic zones, as well as help make the populations more stable by reducing migration to Europe. The arrival of natural gas in these regions will preserve wood used to meet energy needs, wood that is taken from the meagre wooded areas, the only ramparts against desertification.
The TSGP also aims to provide security of Union gas supplies. The Niger Delta is two as close as western Siberia, which currently constitutes the biggest reservoir of Russian gas. Its constitutes a strategic objective for the European Union, which is striving to diversify supply. With two thirds of gas reserves in Africa, Algeria and Nigeria may play a significant role in making Europe's energy secure. Addressing the conference, Andris Piebalgs assured government representatives from the three countries taking part in the project of “security of guaranteed demand (European: Ed)”. (he)