The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCO) has revised its schedule for the planned offshore pipeline cleaning and inspection exercise, also known as “pigging.”
Initially set to commence on January 20, 2025, the exercise has been rescheduled to start on February 3, 2025, to better accommodate the interests of key stakeholders.
The four-week exercise will involve the temporary suspension of reverse gas flow from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema, as well as the shutdown of key facilities in Tema, Ghana, Lomé, Togo, and Cotonou, Benin. During this period, WAPCO will replace subsea valves at these strategic locations to enhance operational safety.
The exercise is a key regulatory requirement and aligns with industry best practices to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
The comprehensive cleaning and inspection exercise will cover the entire pipeline infrastructure, stretching from Itoki in Ogun State, Nigeria to Takoradi in Western Region, Ghana.
“The exercise is divided into two phases, with the first phase completed in December 2024, focusing on the onshore section of the pipeline within Nigeria”.
“The second phase, scheduled to run from February 3 to March 2, 2025, will focus on the offshore section of the WAGP”. The statement read
WAPCO is required to conduct these inspections every five years to maintain the integrity of the WAGP and ensure its continued safe and reliable operation across the West African region.
The company owns and operates the WAGP, a regional infrastructure linking natural gas resources to customers in the West Africa sub-region, particularly in Ghana.
The WAGP is a bi-directional pipeline system with gas supply from both east (Nigeria) and west (Ghana) of the pipeline system.
The revised schedule for the offshore pipeline cleaning exercise is expected to minimize disruptions to gas supply and ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the WAGP.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm/Roberta Acquaah
