UK-based project management services firm Penspen has announced its award of a contract to execute the first phase of the front-end engineering and design (feed) for a gas pipeline to be built between Morocco and Nigeria.

Penspen was awarded the feed deal by Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), after completing feasibility studies for the 5,700-kilometre proposed pipeline in July last year, it said in a statement.

The company did not reveal the value of its contract. It said work has already begun and is being executed from its Abu Dhabi office.

The scope of feed phase 1 covers a detailed review of feasibility study results, and evaluation of the gas demand and supply study.

"Further design of the pipeline system, in addition to the execution of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), will then be carried out with the aim of optimising the proposed pipeline route and project economics", Penspen said in its statement.

The firm will also support its clients by promoting the project before potential investors to attract funding.

The completion of feed phase 1 will yield results which will help ONHYM and NNPC prepare for the second phase of the feed works, which will help the operators make a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project.