Aboadze: The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) is set to commence maintenance activities on the offshore section of its pipeline on February 5. This section stretches from Nigeria to Aboadze in Ghana. The maintenance, which includes pipeline cleaning and replacement of subsea valves, is scheduled to conclude on March 2, 2025.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at WAPCo, announced the commencement of these activities during a media briefing at the Aboadze metering station. The briefing aimed to promote public understanding, ensure transparency, and provide accurate information on how these activities might impact gas transportation services. Additionally, measures are being taken to ensure a safe and timely execution of the project.
Dr. Doku explained that WAPCo is mandated by the West African Gas Pipeline Authority's regulations to clean and inspect the pipeline every five years. The upcoming cleaning will be the third since the processing plant was established, with previous cleanings conducted in 2012 and 2020. The cleaning process, known as 'PIGGING,' is designed to remove debris, dirt, and liquids from the pipelines, inspect the internal walls, replace subsea valves, and perform necessary ancillary work.
During the maintenance period, WAPCo will suspend the reverse gas flow transportation of natural gas from Ghana's Western Region to Tema and from Nigeria to Cotonou (Benin), Lom© (Togo), and Tema (Ghana). However, the company will continue to transport an average of 90,000 mmscf/d of gas required for the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) from Nigeria to Takoradi.
Dr. Doku emphasized the prioritization of worker safety and the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders for a smooth project execution. WAPCo's engineering and safety teams have developed a comprehensive plan to ensure the activities are completed safely and efficiently.
The majority of the maintenance activities will occur offshore at WAPCo's Lagos Beach compressor station in Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria, and the Aboadze regulating metering station in Takoradi. Dr. Doku assured minimal disruption to host communities near these facilities, as most activities will be confined to WAPCo premises.
The exercise is deemed essential for regulatory compliance, ensuring safe and reliable operations, and confirming the pipeline's condition and integrity. WAPCo has engaged Environmental Protection Agencies in the respective countries and will implement an affluent management system at its facilities in Takoradi to handle effluents from the cleaning process.
Dr. Doku expressed gratitude to the governments of Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Benin, as well as maritime and regulatory authorities, customers, shippers, gas off-takers, host communities, and all stakeholders for their support. Mr. Auwal Ibrahim, WAPCo's General Manager of Operations and Maintenance, reiterated the company's commitment to ongoing stakeholder engagement to ensure the project's successful execution. He also confirmed that the cleaning exercise would not affect customer pricing.
