The gas would then be conveyed to ENEL's power plants. A new gas pipeline also is planned from northern France to Italy. ENEL said the final agreement will be signed before the end of 1997. Nigeria is also seeking ways to increase domestic usage of natural gas. Over 75 percent of the estimated 186 bcf of gas consumed in 1996 was used for power generation.
Industry is the other domestic user of gas in Nigeria.
Chevron also has begun supplying gas to NGC following startup of the Escravos Gas Project. Nigeria plans to expand its electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Currently only 43 percent of the population has access to electricity, but NEPA plans to boost this share to 85 percent by 2010. Negotiations are currently underway between Mobil and the NEPA over construction of a 350 megawatt BOO gas-fired plant in Rivers State in southern Nigeria. The three mines at Owukpa have a production capacity of 0.33 mmst annually.