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Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF OIL AND GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA Code: DPR Guide 0027 – 2021

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Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators  
GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND 
MAINTENANCE OF OIL AND GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA  
Code: DPR Guide 0027 – 2021 
 
Effective Date: 14th October 2021 
 
This is a property of the Department of Petroleum Resources. All rights reserved  
 
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iii. 
All surface lines shall be similarly buried with casing protections or special 
construction specified in (ii) above at such crossings. 
iv. 
Pipeline warning signs shall be conspicuously displayed at both the entry 
and exit points of the pipeline crossings of railroads, highways, other 
pipelines, and rivers. 
d. The licencee shall identify any pipeline laying within 30 metres radius of its area 
of ground disturbance during pipeline construction. 
e. The licencee before commencing any ground disturbance in a populated or 
controlled area shall first accurately locate the position and alignment of the 
pipeline with markings and distinguishable warning signs at adequate intervals. 
f. If a pipeline lies within the 30-metre radius of construction, the licencee shall 
endeavour to first of all, locate the pipeline in question and manually excavate it 
till it is sufficiently exposed for purpose of identification and avoidance by the 
construction equipment.   
g. The same precaution in (f) above shall be taken by any third party undertaking 
any construction activity within this radius of safety zone around any pipeline.   
h. Once the pipeline has been so exposed, no excavation within 1-meter radius of it, 
shall be allowed 
i. Where in the opinion of the Department, it is desirable to do so, it may direct that 
an existing pipeline located within the construction zone of a new pipeline in a 
populated or controlled area be either completely de-pressurized, operated at 
reduced pressure, or be otherwise protected throughout the period of ground 
disturbance in its vicinity. 
j. The same precautions as stipulated in (e) and (f) above shall apply to pipeline 
crossings. 
k. Mainline block valves shall be installed on the upstream side of major river 
crossings and at pump stations while check valves shall be installed downstream 
of river crossings.  
l. Mainline valves shall be installed at other sensitive locations of the pipeline such 
as in industrial, commercial, and densely populated areas where construction 
activities may pose particular risks of damage to the pipeline.  The pipeline right 
of way in these areas shall be clearly marked with signs for ease of identification.