An explosion occurred earlier this week at a key onshore natural gas pipeline in Nigeria, disrupting operations at the link shipping gas to industrial users and power plants, Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC confirmed late on Thursday.
The explosion occurred on the evening of December 10 on the Escravos–Lagos pipeline near the Tebijor, Okpele, and Ikpopo communities in the Delta State. Initial observations indicate a pressure drop consistent with a loss of containment at the gas pipeline, NNPC said in a statement.
“The cause of the explosion is still unknown but would be confirmed after a detailed investigation has been concluded. Our priority at this time is the safety of nearby communities and the protection of the environment,” the state company said, adding that it has activated emergency response procedures and teams.
The Escravos–Lagos gas pipeline is a major conduit of gas to industrial users and power plants in southwestern Nigeria.
The incident of still unknown cause took place days after NNPC and local producer Heirs Energies signed a deal to capture and use the gas flared at their onshore OML 17 joint venture near Port Harcourt in a bid to monetize the resource and reduce flaring.
Under the deal, the companies will capture the gas flared across OML 17 and deploy it for use in power generation, industrial applications, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and compressed natural gas (CNG). The move is aligned with Nigeria’s gas development priorities and energy transition goals.
Gas flaring has been a major issue at Nigeria’s oilfields—it is wasted instead of used for many industrial purposes, and holds back the country’s targets to reduce emissions.
Nigeria saw flaring volumes jump by 12% in 2024, which was the second largest increase globally behind Iran, the World Bank said in a report earlier this year.
