YENAGOA, Nigeria, Dec 12 (Reuters) — Nigeria’s state oil company, NNPC Ltd, has reported that an explosion at its major Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline on December 10 disrupted operations and triggered an emergency response.
The blast occurred near the Tebijor, Okpele, and Ikpopo communities in Delta State, the company said late Thursday. Preliminary inspections indicated a pressure drop consistent with a loss of containment on the pipeline.
NNPC did not provide details on the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
The Escravos–Lagos pipeline, capable of transporting 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day, is a vital part of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, supplying power plants and industrial users in the southwest. Disruptions on this line often raise concerns about electricity supply in Africa’s most populous country, which relies heavily on gas-fired power generation.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing. NNPC confirmed that emergency response teams have been deployed and that the company is coordinating with local authorities and community leaders to manage the situation.
