Ekpo Unveils Compressor to Enhance Gas Pressure for Power and Industry
Emmanuel Ade in Abuja
The Federal Government has lauded Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, and other stakeholders for their timely completion of the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) Midline Compressor Project. This initiative is a significant step towards enhancing gas delivery across Nigeria.
During a site inspection of the ELPS Midline Compressor Stations located in Ologbo and Okada, Petroleum Resources (Gas) Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo presented awards to those involved, expressing his satisfaction with the work’s progress. He urged all parties to sustain their momentum to ensure the project reaches successful completion and commissioning.
Accompanied by NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Gas, Power, and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, along with Chief Lemon Ikpea, Chairman of Lee Engineering, Mr. Ekpo emphasized the significance of this project in the Federal Government’s broader strategy to enhance essential gas infrastructure and expand gas utilization across the nation.
In remarks shared on X Handle, Mr. Ekpo underscored the necessity of strategic investments in gas transportation infrastructure to foster economic growth, bolster energy security, and support Nigeria’s industrialization goals. His comments highlighted the strategic nature of enhancing the nation’s gas infrastructure within the context of its economic aspirations.
The Minister praised the progress made thus far and commended NNPC and Lee Engineering for sticking to the project timeline. He encouraged stakeholders to continue their diligent work to ensure timely completion and successful commissioning of the facility.
Mr. Ekpo reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s gas infrastructure. He pointed out that such strategic investments are vital for economic growth, energy security, and enhancing domestic access to gas supplies.
Completion of the ELPS Midline Compressor Station is expected to significantly increase gas pressure along the Escravos-Lagos pipeline, thereby boosting the volume of gas supplied to industrial users, commercial entities, and power plants in Lagos and western Nigeria. This enhanced capability will improve reliability for critical economic sectors while supporting the government’s aspirations for sustainable domestic gas availability.
Despite the project’s technical complexities, Mr. Ekpo expressed confidence in the capability of the team managing it and urged them to maintain the current pace until completion. He emphasized that expanding Nigeria’s gas infrastructure is a foundational element in achieving long-term economic development and enhancing the nation’s energy resilience.
The ELPS Midline Compressor Project stands as a pivotal upgrade to Nigeria’s domestic gas transmission network, reflecting the country’s commitment to completing one of its most strategic gas infrastructure projects. As the ELPS II expansion aims to double the pipeline’s capacity from approximately 1.1 billion standard cubic feet per day to around 2.2 billion, the midline compressor station is critical for optimizing existing infrastructure without the need for additional transmission lines.
According to the latest progress report from the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), construction reached 92.7% completion in January 2026 and has advanced to 94.88% by May 2026. Upon operational commencement, the compressor station is expected to significantly enhance gas supply for key sectors such as thermal power generation, cement manufacturing, fertilizer production, and other major industrial consumers reliant on ELPS for their energy requirements.
