Analysis of Gas Pipeline Corrosion Management Strategies in Southwestern Nigeria

Pipeline corrosion constitutes a significant operational and safety hazard within Nigeria's gas transmission network, contributing to product losses, environmental pollution, and costly maintenance shutdowns. This study analyses the corrosion management strategies currently applied to gas pipelines operated by the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) within the southwestern corridor, spanning Ogun, Oyo, and Osun states. The study employs a case study methodology, drawing on maintenance records, corrosion inspection reports, and interviews with pipeline integrity engineers. Key corrosion mechanisms examined include internal corrosion driven by water vapour and hydrogen sulphide content in the gas stream, and external corrosion caused by soil electrochemical activity along pipeline rights-of-way. The research evaluates the effectiveness of cathodic protection systems, internal coating technologies, and chemical inhibitor injection programmes deployed along the studied corridors. Findings are expected to reveal gaps in monitoring frequency and inadequate coating renewal schedules as primary drivers of pipeline degradation. The study recommends the integration of smart pigging technology into regular integrity management programmes and stronger adherence to ASME B31.8 standards for gas transmission pipelines. This research underscores the importance of proactive corrosion management in sustaining gas supply reliability to industrial and domestic consumers in southwestern Nigeria. Keywords: pipeline corrosion, cathodic protection, gas transmission, NGC, southwestern Nigeria.