Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project: Niger Confirms October Survey Start
Niger plans to commence topographical surveys for the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) on its territory in early October, as announced by Nigerien Minister of Petroleum Hamadou Tini. This operation is designed to advance the Nigerien section of the project, which aims to connect Nigeria's gas resources to Algerian infrastructure via Niger. Teams from Niger will be mobilized at the beginning of next month to determine and finalize the pipeline's route, conduct necessary topographical studies, and perform environmental, impact, and geotechnical assessments. This announcement follows a working visit by Algeria's Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, to Niamey, where discussions with Nigerien officials focused on the TSGP's progress and the need to accelerate the topographical survey campaign.
The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project is planned to extend approximately 4,200 kilometers, with 1,037 km in Nigeria, 841 km in Niger, and 2,310 km in Algeria. The Algerian section, spanning 700 km, is already under construction, with work officially launched on June 4 in Aoulef, Adrar wilaya. This part of the pipeline will follow the corridor of the Trans-Saharan Road to the Hassi R'Mel national gas dispatching center. An updated feasibility study for the entire project was adopted by the three partner countries in June, highlighting continued collaborative efforts. The pipeline is designed to transport 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Europe and is estimated to cost 13 billion dollars.
Beyond its primary function of gas transport, Niger envisions the TSGP as a catalyst for economic and industrial development along its corridor. Minister Tini emphasized the project's potential to foster activities such as electricity production, energy-intensive industries, processing, agriculture, and fertilizer manufacturing. Niamey intends to leverage the pipeline's passage to gradually develop its gas market, support power generation, and encourage industrial growth. Niger also seeks to expand its energy cooperation with Algeria, aiming for Sonatrach's involvement in various stages of its petroleum sector development, from exploration to processing and commercialization, recognizing Algeria as a
