Nigeria’s state-owned oil firm NNPC Ltd said it had contained a leak on the strategic Escravos–Lagos gas pipeline following an explosion last week in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
The company said the affected sections of the pipeline had been safely isolated, while inspections were under way to assess the extent of the damage.
“A joint preliminary inspection by NNPC Ltd, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and maintenance contractors has been carried out at the site,” the company said in a statement.
The incident, reported on December 10 in the South West Warri area, prompted coordinated containment measures aimed at protecting host communities, personnel and the environment, NNPC added.
The Escravos–Lagos pipeline system, which has a capacity of about 2.2 billion cubic feet per day, is a critical component of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, supplying fuel to power plants and industrial users across the country’s southwest.
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Nigeria holds Africa’s largest proven natural gas reserves and relies heavily on gas to generate electricity, yet infrastructure disruptions and pipeline incidents have frequently constrained supply.
The Escravos–Lagos pipeline is a key artery linking gas fields in the Niger Delta to demand centres around Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, making it vital to power generation and industrial activity.
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Pipeline leaks and explosions in the delta region are often linked to ageing infrastructure, vandalism and illegal tapping, posing environmental and safety risks while disrupting energy supply.
Authorities have stepped up surveillance and maintenance efforts in recent years as part of broader reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting production, reducing losses and attracting investment.
More on Nigeria’s NNPC
NNPC Ltd is Nigeria’s state-owned energy company and the country’s largest player in the oil and gas sector, overseeing upstream production, midstream transportation and downstream marketing of petroleum products.
The company was transformed in 2022 into a limited liability entity under the Petroleum Industry Act, a landmark reform aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and commercial viability after decades of losses and state control.
NNPC operates joint ventures with major international oil companies and domestic producers, managing crude oil production, natural gas development and export infrastructure, including pipelines, terminals and liquefied natural gas facilities.
Natural gas has become increasingly central to NNPC’s strategy, as Nigeria seeks to expand gas-to-power capacity, reduce reliance on fuel imports and position gas as a transition fuel in its energy mix. The company plays a key role in supplying gas to power plants and industrial users across the country.
Despite reforms, NNPC continues to face operational challenges, including ageing infrastructure, pipeline vandalism, oil theft and funding constraints, which have periodically disrupted output and revenue.
In the downstream sector, NNPC has long been responsible for fuel imports and distribution, although deregulation efforts and the start-up of the Dangote refinery are gradually reshaping the market.
The company has said improving asset integrity, reducing losses and attracting private investment remain priorities as it seeks to stabilise operations and support Nigeria’s broader energy and economic goals.
