In a potential opportunity for Europe to diversify its gas sources as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria held talks this week on the revival of a decades-old project to transport gas across the Sahara.
Following a two-day meeting in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Niger’s oil ministry in a statement on Wednesday that the three countries have set up a task force for the project and designated an entity to update a feasibility study.
The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project, which could send up to 30 billion cubic meters a year of supplies to Europe, is estimated to cost approximately $13 billion. Progress has stalled on the idea that was first proposed more than 40 years ago through an agreement signed between the countries in 2009.
As the European Union seeks to wean itself off Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine and is seeking alternative sources, the revival of talks come at a strategic time.
The statement adds, “The pipeline should allow Europe to diversify its sources of natural gas supply but also allow several African states to access this high-value energy source.”
The pipeline, which would start in Warri, Nigeria, and end in Hassi R’Mel, Algeria, where it would connect to existing pipelines that run to Europe, extends to a length of 4,128 kilometers.
