… showcases Nigerian engineering prowess with first-ever indigenous pipeline crossings using precision drilling

Oredola Adeola

 Oilserve has completed the Pai River crossing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, marking a major milestone within its assigned 303-kilometre section, which spans from Ajaokuta to the Kaduna-Niger State border as part of the overall 614km AKK Gas Pipeline and Stations.

Dr. Emeka Okwuosa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Limited, made this known in a statement obtained by Advisors Reports.

He stated that the company’s expertise was instrumental in completing the 40-inch by 580-meter pipeline crossing and a 480-meter FOCC installation through fractured granite using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology.

Advisors Reports confirms that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) finally flagged-off the award of the project in 2020 to Oilserve’s lot covers 303-kilometre stretch covers the pipeline from Ajaokuta to the border between Kaduna State and Niger State, while 311-Kilometers was awarded to was awarded to the Brentex/China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau Consortium.

Designed to transport natural gas from Ajaokuta through Kaduna and Abuja to Kano, the pipeline aims to boost power generation, industrialisation, and residential gas supply across Nigeria’s northern corridor.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja during the weekend, Dr. Okwuosa described the River Niger crossing as the most significant challenge in the project due to the river’s vast width, over two kilometers at the crossing point, and the environmental sensitivity of the area.

He explained that crossing the River Niger without disrupting the water or surrounding environment required the use of Horizontal Directional Drilling, a trenchless technology that enables underground boring through solid formations.

“This method is similar in concept to the Channel Tunnel connecting England and France, where a curved underground path is created to avoid surface disruption.”

“The HDD technique involves launching a drilling rig from the surface to create a curved underground tunnel through which the pipeline is installed.

” This approach minimizes environmental impact and avoids disturbing the riverbed, making it ideal for the sensitive ecosystem of the Niger River

“The terrain along this route is notably challenging, featuring thick jungles, rocky outcrops, multiple river crossings, hills, cliffs, and busy roadways, including dual carriageways.

“The terrain is tough, especially around Kogi State where we have to blast through rock to lay the pipeline.

“Crossing roads and highways without disrupting traffic requires precise drilling techniques. Each obstacle demands careful planning and engineering excellence,” Okwuosa said.

Addressing the security challenges, flooding, and logistical difficulties, Dr. Okwuosa noted that transporting large pipeline sections from the port to remote areas has been a major obstacle.

He explained that despite the challenges, Oilserv has maintained steady progress, crediting its success to the local expertise and experience of its workforce, strong collaboration with NNPC Ltd., and effective project management.

“This project is a testament to Nigerian engineering capability. There is no other indigenous company of our size and capacity that can handle a project of this magnitude.

“Funding for the AKK pipeline has been a key concern, but NNPC Ltd. has successfully navigated financial challenges with support from Afreximbank,”  he said.

Oilserv raises capital to execute project milestones and invoices NNPC for payments, ensuring smooth cash flow and continuity.

He further noted that with support from Afreximbank and Fidelity Bank, Oilserv secures funding, achieves project milestones, submits its invoices, and receives payment from NNPC Ltd.

Dr. Okwuosa confirmed that the company is on track to achieve mechanical completion of its 303-kilometer segment by December 2025, a critical step toward the overall pipeline’s operational readiness.