NEMBE CREEK-CAWTHORNE CHANNEL TRUNKLINE (NCTL) REPLACEMENT PROJECT (PACKAGE A)

SYNOPSIS:
This is a 12”/24” x 49km pipeline replacement project being executed for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) by NESTOIL LIMITED. The pipeline runs from Nembe 3 flowstation to San Bartholomew manifold, and is located in the harsh mangrove swamp terrain of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

The project involves the installation of a new pipeline of about 49km, consisting of a 12” diameter segment (about 3.5km) and a 24” diameter segment (about 44km) traversing 5 community clusters consisting of about 100 communities in both Bayelsa and Rivers States in the Niger Delta region. The installation also includes six major river crossings (the widest is about 1.1km), 44 other river and creek crossings of various sizes requiring extensive dredging activities as well as the fabrication and site installation of 1 main tie-in manifold, 6 block valve platforms, 4 pig traps and associated piping. The new line will run parallel to an existing pipeline of same configuration, within the same (expanded) pipeline Right of Way (ROW). Upon commissioning of the new line, the existing line will be decommissioned.

NECESSITY FOR THE PROJECT:
The existing trunkline is a pipe network that evacuates crude oil from various flowstations across the Nembe creek, Krakama, Awoba, Ekulama and San Bartholomew fields to the Cawthorne Channel field into the SPDC Bonny Export Terminal for dehydration and export. As a result of deterioration in the integrity of the existing trunkline, occasioned by the harsh Niger Delta environment, vandalisation and severe age-related deterioration, the project was initiated to improve, modernize and restore the technical integrity of the facilities.

WHERE WE ARE NOW
Pre-mobilization activities, contract mobilization and mobilization for site construction works have been completed. Bush clearing, ditching and lay and weld construction activities for the 24” segment have since commenced and are in progress. Bush clearing has been completed for the 12” segment while ditching on this segment is now well advanced preparatory to the commencement of lay and weld activity.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF PROJECT
*Source of revenue to the nation as the line evacuates about 30% of SPDC’s crude oil production
*Provision of employment to Nigerians
*Economic empowerment of host communities via employment and subcontract services
*Social empowerment of host communities via community development projects
*Source of revenue to SHELL and Contractor.
*Prevention of oil spills and restoration of the environment
*Increased capacity of pipeline for planned production increase
*Improved security of pipeline to check crude oil theft
*Development of indigenous manpower