Environmental aspects of the TSGP

Considered as a clean energy, natural gas stands out increasingly as an alternative energy source. In the long run, it will allow the now existing coal-fired or fuel-fired European power plants to be converted to natural gas.

The TSGP is designed to convey large quantities of associated gas currently flared in Nigerian oil fields. The TSGP will thus have a double environmental benefit: it will contribute on the one hand to reduce significantly the environmental impact of flared gas in Nigeria and, on the other hand, to supply a clean energy source to Europe which badly needs it to lower its carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

For the purpose of the project feasibility study, an initial environmental impact study was prepared to determine how the pipeline construction might affect the environment. The study considered the legal framework of the pipeline-crossed countries as well as the international regulations relating to the environment. The World Bank directive on environmental assessment of energy and industrial projects has been given particular attention. Together with the representatives of the governments concerned, NGO’s and representatives of populations living near the proposed pipeline routes were questioned on matters dealing with the project environmental impact.

The TSGP overall route will cross a great variety of ecosystems and landscapes. Furthermore, given the extreme barrenness of the Sahara desert, oases and even the smallest wetlands are of vital importance from an ecological, social and cultural standpoint. As a matter of fact, oases have been particularly avoided by the TSGP layout.

The project’s major environmental effects are likely to appear during the construction phase. However, as the pipeline is buried, there should not be any long term impact on the fauna and flora of the pipeline-crossed territories.