"WAPCo to Undertake Major Pipeline Maintenance from February 5 to March 2"

WAPCo to Undertake Major Pipeline Maintenance from February 5 to March 2

The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) is set to conduct significant maintenance activities on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) from February 5 to March 2, 2025.

The maintenance work will include pigging and an in-line inspection of the 569-kilometer offshore pipeline infrastructure, spanning from Ajido, Lagos State, Nigeria, to Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region. Additionally, critical subsea valves at Tema (Ghana) and Cotonou (Benin) will be replaced to enhance operational safety.

As a result of the maintenance, specific services will be temporarily suspended. This includes the reverse flow transportation of natural gas from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema, as well as gas transportation from Nigeria to Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo), and Tema (Ghana). However, gas transportation from Nigeria to Takoradi will continue to facilitate the pipeline cleaning and inspection process.

According to WAPCo, the comprehensive maintenance exercise is a regulatory requirement and aligns with global industry best practices to ensure the safety and efficiency of the WAGP.

The project will be executed in two phases. The first phase, completed in December 2024, involved cleaning and inspecting the onshore section of the pipeline in Nigeria. The second phase, set to begin on February 5, 2025, will focus on the offshore section of the pipeline.

“WAPCo is mandated to conduct these inspections every five years or based on a risk-assessed schedule as part of our commitment to maintaining the integrity and reliability of the WAGP,” the company stated.

WAPCo has engaged key stakeholders, including the governments of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo, as well as regulatory and maritime authorities, customers, shippers, gas off-takers, host communities, and shareholders, to ensure the smooth execution of the project.

“We remain committed to proactive stakeholder engagement throughout the maintenance period and will continue to provide updates as necessary to ensure the project’s success,” said Auwal Ibrahim, WAPCo’s General Manager for Operations & Maintenance.

WAPCo is the owner and operator of the West African Gas Pipeline, which facilitates the regional transportation of natural gas across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana, playing a crucial role in the region’s energy security.