The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has announced the start of its planned cleaning and inspection exercise for the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), scheduled to begin on Monday, November 25, 2024.
In a statement, WAPCo emphasized that the exercise is part of its regular maintenance program to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the pipeline. This initiative is aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements for maintaining the integrity of critical infrastructure.
Scope and Phases of the Exercise
The cleaning and inspection project will span the entire WAGP, which extends from Itoki in Ogun State, Nigeria, to Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana. The exercise is divided into two phases:
- Phase One: Onshore Section (Nigeria)
- Scheduled to begin on November 25, 2024, this phase involves cleaning and inspecting the onshore section of the pipeline located in Nigeria.
- The first phase is expected to last 10 days, with WAPCo assuring stakeholders that no significant disruptions to gas transportation services are anticipated during this period.
- Phase Two: Offshore Section (Nigeria to Ghana)
- This phase will commence in January 2025 and will involve cleaning and inspecting the offshore section of the pipeline. This segment stretches from Badagry in Lagos State, Nigeria, to Takoradi, Ghana.
- WAPCo noted that the offshore inspection will necessitate a temporary suspension of reverse flow gas transportation from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema.
- Additionally, key facilities in Tema, Lomé (Togo), and Cotonou (Benin) will be shut down to facilitate maintenance, including the replacement of subsea valves at strategic locations to enhance operational safety.
Stakeholder Engagement and Assurance
WAPCo has proactively engaged relevant stakeholders across the affected regions to ensure a smooth execution of the project. In its statement, the company highlighted that efforts have been made to minimize disruptions to gas transportation services during the exercise.
“This is part of WAPCo’s ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the WAGP and ensure its continued safe and reliable operation across the West African region,” the statement read.
Impact and Long-term Benefits
While the cleaning and inspection process will involve temporary operational adjustments, WAPCo assured customers and stakeholders that the long-term benefits of the project include improved safety, enhanced operational efficiency, and the sustained reliability of the gas pipeline, which serves as a critical energy infrastructure for the region.
Background
The West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) is a strategic energy asset that transports natural gas from Nigeria to neighboring countries, including Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Operated by WAPCo, the pipeline plays a pivotal role in supporting industrial operations and energy production within the region.
This planned maintenance activity underscores WAPCo’s commitment to upholding international standards and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of gas for economic growth and development in West Africa.
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