British engineering and management services company Penspen has announced that it is expected to execute the First Phase of the FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) of approximately 5700 km gas pipeline expected to link Nigeria to Morocco, reports World Pipelines. The decision was announced after the London-based firm was awarded a contract by Morocco's Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) and Nigeria's National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to conduct the study. Penspen which has already conducted the project's feasibility study, will have to focus on the technical requirements as well as rough investment cost for the project. According to the same source, the FEED Phase I consists of a review of the feasibility study results and an evaluation of gas demand supply study. The company will also evaluate «further design of the pipeline system, in addition to the execution of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)». The latter will be conducted to optimize «the proposed pipeline route and project economics». Penspen will have to help Morocco and Nigeria to market and promote the pipeline project to potential stakeholders. The results of the FEED Phase I will be used to prepare for the FEED Phase II. Commenting on the contract, Penspen chief executive officer Peter O'Sullivan said that «following Penspen's successful execution of the feasibility study, we consider it a huge privilege to be selected by both clients for the next stage of the project definition i.e. FEED Phase I where we will continue to provide our renowned world class services towards realization of this strategic project». Penspen's Abu Dhabi office has already started working on the Gazoduc's FEED Phase I.
