The ambitious African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, designed to link Nigeria to Morocco, has entered a new phase of implementation following the completion of engineering studies and the launch of pre-construction preparations, according to project details published by Asharq Bloomberg.

An environmental and social impact assessment reveals the pipeline will stretch nearly 6,900 kilometers (about 4,287 miles) across 13 countries along Africa’s west coast.

The Moroccan segment alone represents a $25 billion investment. It spans 2,220 kilometers, combining 1,830 kilometers onshore and 390 kilometers offshore.

To maintain continuous gas flow along the 48-inch-diameter pipeline, Morocco's onshore section will feature four compressor stations spaced 300 to 320 kilometers apart. Located near Boujdour, Tan-Tan, Agadir and Safi, each 64-hectare facility is positioned near ports and transport hubs to ease logistics.

Additionally, two receiving stations will operate in Morocco. The first will receive offshore gas arriving from Mauritania, while the second will connect the onshore segment to the existing Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, facilitating gas exports to European markets.

Construction will be supported by six temporary camps along the route. Each camp will house 1,000 to 1,200 workers, manage pipe storage and handle equipment maintenance. Project planners said priority will be given to local hiring, backed by specialized training programs.

The 390-kilometer offshore section will run through Moroccan waters from the Mauritanian maritime border to the Dakhla area at depths of 15 to 100 meters.

Near the coast, the pipeline will be buried over an eight-kilometer stretch and shielded with a concrete coating, anti-corrosion lining and cathodic protection to ensure its stability.

The pipeline is designed for a 40-year operating life, with construction on the Moroccan segment scheduled to begin after a final investment decision, which officials anticipate by the end of 2026.

Commercial operations are projected to start in the second quarter of 2031.