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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  
 
36 
7. DECOMMISSIONING AND RESUMPTION OF OPERATION FOR PIPELINE SYSTEMS  
7.1   Decommissioning of Operation of Pipeline Systems  
The Licencee shall apply to the Department giving three months’ notice of its intention to 
discontinue with the operation of the pipeline system or ancillary facilities. Such 
applications shall be accompanied with the following:  
i. 
The reasons for the discontinuation of the operation of the pipeline system 
ii. 
A plan of the entire pipeline or part thereof in which the operations is to be 
discontinued shown in green colour. 
iii. 
The proposed method of discontinuing operations. 
iv. 
Payment of N500,000:00 made payable to the Department of Petroleum 
Resources as processing fees. 
7.1.1 Procedure for Decommissioning of Operations  
Apart from the conditions that may be specified when granting discontinuation approval, 
the pipeline to be discontinued with shall be 
i. 
Disconnected from all other facilities like other pipelines, meter stations, ancillary 
facilities and other appurtenances. 
ii. 
Purged of all Petroleum Liquid or Gas with water or an inert material  
iii. 
Capped at both ends with moisture resistant materials. 
7.2 Abandonment and Removal of Pipelines  
Where the Pipeline is to be decommissioned, abandoned and/or removed, the licencee 
shall engage the Department in an abandonment concept selection workshop. The 
following shall apply: 
i. 
 All the steps outlined in Section 7.1 above shall be followed in cases where the 
pipeline is to be completely abandoned. 
ii. 
The right of way of abandoned pipelines shall continue to be maintained and clearly 
identified for as long as the pipeline remains in place.  
iii. 
In cases where the pipeline is to be removed, the Licencee shall furnish the 
Department with the proposed work programme for its removal. Also, the Licencee 
shall restore into perfect condition the right of way of the pipeline and other 
disturbed land areas in the neighbourhood after its removal.