Published: Saturday July 4, 2009 MYT 12:02:00 PM
US$10bil pipeline to ship gas from Africa to Europe
ABUJA, Nigeria: Nigeria, Algeria and Niger have signed an agreement to create a $10 billion pipeline that would ship gas across the Saharan desert to Europe, Nigeria's state oil company said Friday.
The plan comes as Europe seeks new sources of gas imports as it currently depends on Russia for much of its needs.
The project was approved by energy ministers from all three governments, said Mohammed Barkindo, the managing director of Nigeria state oil company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
It is expected to come on line in 2015.
"The inter-governmental agreement that has been signed today between the government of Algeria, Niger and Nigeria gives this project official stamp of approval," Barkindo said.
"So it is a significant milestone."
Nigeria's energy minister, Rilwanu Lukmanu, said the countries are now looking for partners for the project.
"We will be talking to prospective partners who might be interested," Lukmanu said.
Last month, Russia's state natural gas supplier Gazprom and Nigeria's main oil company agreed to create a joint venture to explore and produce oil and gas in Africa's most populous country.
Gazprom's chief in Nigeria has said the Russian firm would invest $2.5 billion in the new venture.
If Gazprom should gain control over Nigeria's gas resources, that could strip European consumers of a possible alternative to Russian gas supplies.
It has been a difficult time for Gazprom as production is declining and the severe financial crisis is forcing it to delay the launch of major new gas fields that would supply Europe with energy. - AP
- Perodua MD: New Alza will be top-selling MPV
- Billionaire Ananda, Khazanah in Aussie Internet TV venture
- Gold price record high, silver copper highest for year
- Citi bank group upgrades global 2010 economic growth forecast
- Research houses optimistic on local stock market
- Lukewarm debut for TA Global
- US stocks higher, Dow at 13-month high
- Oil price higher on weak US$
- Proton’s profit up from higher sales and bigger mart share
- PLUS’ traffic increases, higher dividends expected
- Billionaire Ananda, Khazanah in Aussie Internet TV venture
- Gold price record high, silver copper highest for year
- Perodua MD: New Alza will be top-selling MPV
- Proton’s profit up from higher sales and bigger mart share
- Sapura stays focused on R&D
- Islamic deposit insurance to create level playing field among banks
- PLUS’ traffic increases, higher dividends expected
- Lukewarm debut for TA Global
- Earnings in brief
- Citi bank group upgrades global 2010 economic growth forecast


