Oando PLC’s subsidiary, Gaslink Nigeria Limited, is the leading indigenous industrial natural gas provider. The main section of the Greater Lagos Phase III pipeline system was certified safe for operations following a successfully conducted hydrostatic pressure test in February 2008. With this exercise, the infrastructure meets global technical specifications and environmental safety standards.
The hydrostatic test, is a rigorous method of checking for leaks and technical flaws in industrial pipes and pressure vessels by subjecting them to pressurized incompressible liquid (water) to test for expansion in the pipes composition or changes in the content to indicate flaws in design or leakage respectively. The test was conducted by Oilserv Nigeria Limited, an indigenous engineering firm involved in construction and maintenance of Oil and Gas facilities,
The hydrostatic test also ensures that the integrity of the fabricated pipeline segment of the network of pipelines meet the stipulated test conditions and relevant specifications. The numerous underground facilities in Lagos necessitated the introduction of ‘elbows’ or bends to enable navigating the obstructions and connecting the pipeline segments.
Bolaji Osunsanya, Managing Director, Oando Gas and Power, commenting on the exercise states; “We have concluded the laying and backfilling of this segment of the pipeline system without a single incident as a result of our strict adherence to safety measures. The successful outcome of this hydrostatic test signifies that the integrity of our pipelines is assured for gas transmission to customers. We are now in a position to commence full scale operations on our newly expanded integrated network, with a double assurance that the people and property around these pipelines are very safe”.
The hydrostatic pressure test was conducted on an estimated pipeline length of 11,000 metres, (Anthony through Ikorodu road to Iganmu) on an 18 inch nominal diameter pipeline of 14.27mm wall thickness, holding a maximum test pressure of about 90 percent linepipe specified minimum yield strength. The long distance pipelines are designed to have a hoop stress of 80 per cent of specified minimum yield strength at maximum operating pressure, thus implying that the pipeline steel material was stressed beyond the design condition during this test and still withstood the pressure.
In 2001, Gaslink had embarked on a phased pipeline expansion drive that witnessed the construction of an 11.2 kilometre pipeline system with a capacity to deliver 15mmscf/d from the Nigerian Gas Company’s City Gate at Ikeja through Oba Akran, Lateef Jakande and Acme Road, all within the Ikeja industrial scheme. Following the successful completion of the first phase of the network, the company commissioned its Ikeja 1B gas line with a capacity to deliver 5mmscf/d to companies within Oregun through to Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja. By 2004, Gaslink’s pipeline network was further expanded with a distribution line designed to deliver a throughput of 65 mmscf/d through Ojota, Isolo, Amuwo Odofin, Ilupeju, Matori and Isolo.
In October 2006, Gaslink embarked on the expansion project tagged GLIII (Greater Lagos Three). The project involved the laying of a 38km pipeline through Ojota, Maryland, Obanikoro, Iganmu, Alaka, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and Amuwo Odofin.
With this, Gaslink has developed an extensive pipeline network covering the major industrial areas in Lagos State. Upon completion, the new pipeline system will result in the company covering all the major industrial areas of Lagos State.
