Imperatives for the Amendment of the Nigerian Oil Pipelines Act

Pipelines have been recognized to be one of the most effective means of transportation in any oil producing state. It however has its technicalities, hence the provision of regulations and guidelines for their operation. Nigeria as an oil producing state has been operating with pipelines for many years now, but in all ramifications it has not had the best and efficient oil pipeline system. This research work was as a result of the failure of the Oil Pipelines Act and its subsidiary Regulation, Guidelines and Procedure for the Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Oil and Gas Pipelines and their Ancillary Facilities, to create for an effective pipeline operation. This research applied a doctrinal type of methodology and adopted an analytical, comparative and descriptive approach. It was found that the problem with the Nigerian Oil Pipelines Act, is that it is outdated. The Act has been in existence for more than 50 years; and because of this, it cannot meet the current needs and trends in the country. Some of the needs are: meeting up with Technological Advancements, Managerial and maintenance skills, Environmental Protection, Efficiency in transportation and Security issues. More importantly it cannot take care of the current exigenecies in the country with regard to transportation of oil. This research has offered some recommendations to improve the oil pipeline system. Some of which includes a proper creation for an effective monitoring system. This should be done by qualified personnel and also with the use of advanced technology obtainable in some countries like the US. This advanced technological monitoring system will not only report any vandalization, but will also indicate when there is need for maintenance especially pipeline corrosion. There should be more creation of oil and gas pipelines in all the cities to discourage transportation of petroleum products through tanker which over the years have been the cause of so many road accidents and fire outbreaks. There should be an improvement on the types of pipelines operated; this should include new age pipelines. These problems associated with the Oil Pipelines Act necessitated the call for its amendment.