The Federal Government of Nigeria based on its sizable gas reserves,identified the need for accelerated development of the gas industry as a focal strategy for achieving the national aspiration of aggressive GDP growth.The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Blueprint which is part of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan(NGMP)approved in 2008 by Nigeria's Federal Executive Council(FEC)is key to its successful implementation.The blueprint consist of a network of three transmission pipelines,three Central Processing Facilities(CPFs)within three delineated franchise areas and wet gas gathering lines to feed the central processing facilities.The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC)which is the driver of the gas Infrastructure blue print has from 2010 to date,completed and commissioned over 540 KM of gas pipelines.Some of these pipelines were developed based on recent developments.Other critical pipelines are also expected to come on stream before end 2018.Nigeria's in-country midstream gas infrastructure capacity is estimated at 2.9Bscf/d which can not support the 2018 projected domestic gas demand of 3.38Bscf/d(National Gas Requirement(NGR)Working Committee,October 2017).The major essence of developing gas CPFs is to create industrial gas development hubs to stimulate economic development.None of the three(3)planned CPFs as contained in FEC's 2008 approval has progressed to an appreciable level.In fact,all MoUs signed for development of the facilities have expired.Issues surrounding the non-actualization of the CPFs border around costs and gas supply.This paper aims at highlighting the challenges towards implementing the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Blueprint and proffer solutions to achieving the Federal Government's gas development aspirations.The resultant effect will unlock several opportunities for the country.Other developing countries with sizable gas reserves can take a cue from the paper in developing their individual domestic gas markets.
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