Another Nationwide Blackout Looms As Explosion Hits Escravos Gas Pipeline Again

There might be blackout in some parts of the country following the fresh explosion that has rocked the Escravos-to-Lagos (ELP) located in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, barely four days after repairs, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said on Thursday.
It is understood that this has led to a drop in the generation of power from hydropower plants by 494 megawatts in six days.
It was gathered that a heavy explosion rocked the pipeline criss-crossing the Ugbokodo community near the Warri refinery in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was also learnt that the explosion was as a result of leaks from a gas pipeline in the community, which had earlier been reported to the management of the NGC.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that repairs have commenced immediately on the facility in order to address the fresh incident.
The commission did not state what caused the fresh explosion on the pipeline.

“Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, has directed that repair works should be executed immediately on the Escarvos to Lagos Pipeline,” NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu said.

Ughamadu added that while the NNPC aim to restore gas supplies through the ELP on time, gas supply from other sources like Oben, Oredo, Sapele, Ughelli and Utorogu would be stepped up to augment any shortfalls in supply to power plants.
Based on information gathered, should the ELP be shut for a long period, it may disrupt oil production as companies may find it difficult to evacuate gas produced along with oil.