The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has successfully repaired and recommissioned the critical Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), restoring it to full operation just weeks after a devastating explosion crippled the infrastructure.
In a statement on Monday, the state oil company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, hailed the rapid restoration as a “testament to the company’s resilience” and a significant boost to the nation’s fragile energy security.
A Swift Response to a Critical Blow
The ELPS, a major artery for transporting natural gas from the Niger Delta to power plants and industries in Lagos and the southwest, was severely damaged by an explosion on December 10, 2025. The blast contributed to a severe drop in gas supply, exacerbating Nigeria’s ongoing electricity crisis and leading to multiple national grid collapses.
NNPC stated that it activated its emergency response protocol immediately, deploying multidisciplinary teams for “containment, repairs, pressure testing, and safe restoration.”
“Today, the critical pipeline stands fully operational, bolstering Nigeria’s energy security amid ongoing supply challenges,” Odeh stated.
Collaboration Credited for Record Turnaround
The company credited the swift turnaround to a broad collaborative effort. According to the statement, the successful repair was achieved through “robust collaboration, including support from host communities, regulatory guidance, security agencies, partners, and dedicated staff.”
NNPC emphasized that the operation “prioritized safety and environmental protection,” aiming to turn “a major setback into a success story in record time.”
A Reprieve for the National Grid
The restoration of the ELPS is expected to provide immediate relief to Nigeria’s beleaguered power sector. The pipeline’s outage had drastically reduced gas supply to thermal power plants, directly contributing to the nationwide blackouts experienced over the past month. Its return to service should enable a significant increase in electricity generation capacity.
Ongoing Challenges and Commitments
While celebrating the achievement, NNPC acknowledged the persistent challenges of pipeline vandalism and energy disruptions that plague the sector. The company reaffirmed its “dedication to asset integrity, community safeguards, and environmental stewardship moving forward.”
The rapid repair of the ELPS marks a crucial operational victory for NNPC Ltd. However, it also underscores the continued vulnerability of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure to attacks and technical failures, highlighting the need for more durable solutions to ensure stable power supply for the nation.
