Vandals throw power sector into crisis
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Separate vandal attacks on two key gas pipelines have triggered fuel supply crisis across the nations upstream power sector, with operators of major thermal stations drastically cutting electricity generation due to acute gas shortage.
Our enquiries showed that apart from thermal power plants that are located close to gas production fields, most gas based thermal plants in the country have been affected by the vandalism incidents which happened on December 17, 2021 and on January 7, 2022.
Head of Communication and Public Relations at the NDPHC, Mr Emmanuel Ojor, confirmed in a statement that the incidents forced the company to shut down two major thermal power stations and curtailed at another two generating plants.
He said vandalism on the North Option Pipeline (NOPL) forced the operator, TotalEnergies, to declare handicap in meeting its supply obligations to the Alaoji Power Station operated by the NDPHC under the National Integrated Power Programme (NIPP).
Mr Ojor said TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited declared Force Majeure on gas supply to Alaoji following vandalism at KP41 spot of the NOPL on January 7.
The 24 inch diameter pipeline runs approximately 60 kilometers long between Rumuji Node and Imo River in Rivers State and connecting TotalEnergies’ Owaza Node in Abia State from where it feeds fuel to the Alaoji power station.
“NOPL pipeline was vandalized on 7th January 2022 at KP41 Alaoma Etche Cluster. The Line Block Valve at KP38 was closed to isolate the sabotage point and depressurization of the line, this will affect gas supply to Alaoji (Power Plant) until further notice,” TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited stated in a letter to NDPHC.
The French energy major clarified that “Gas supply to Alaoji Power Plant was suspended due to this unfortunate event. Preliminary investigation to determine the extent of the damage is ongoing, and repair works shall commence as soon as feasible.”
Mr Ojor stated that the management of NDPHC subsequently shutdown the power plant immediately, leading to generation loss of 504 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
Earlier on December 17, 2021; the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) which dominates the national gas grid reported breach of the Trans-Forcardos Pipeline (TFP). The breach led to the deferment of about 250 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas from the Pipeline Network, a situation that brought the Network Pressure to abysmal levels, thereby triggering an emergency.
Vandalism on the pipeline forced the company which is owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to embark on system wide curtailment of all gas shippers that feed national grid.
The NGC had stated that the measure was necessary “to forestall the imminent collapse of the gas grid.”
Consequently the NPDC which operates the highest number of thermal power stations in the country was compelled to shut down the 785 MW Omotosho power station and also scale down generation at Geregu and Ihovbor plants.
Enquiries at the National Control Center (NCC) showed that the TFP breach raised pan industry supply crisis that affected gas rationing and consequent production drop at most thermal plants in the country.
The gas crisis is coming at a time of imminent drop in water level at the nation’s dams that host hydroelectric power stations from where generation output has traditionally been most irregular and unpredictable.
