The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has assured it will complete its offshore pipeline maintenance by the March 2, 2025 timeline it set, to ensure the full restoration of gas supply to power plants in Tema.
Providing an update on the process during a media visit to WAPCo’s Tema Regulatory and Metering Station, Ing. Benoni Owusu Ayeh, WAPCo’s Operations & Maintenance Superintendent, West, confirmed that the maintenance, which started on February 5, 2025, is advancing rapidly with work is 70% complete, while maintaining strict safety protocols.
“We estimated 4 to 5 days for each pig, however, we optimized it and have received 3 of the 6 pigs. By looking at the travel distance and what we indicated, by 2nd March we believe that we should be able to complete this exercise”, Ing. Ayeh assured.
“We are within schedule and until something happens we would likely beat the 2nd March timeline”, he reiterated
Addressing speculation that the maintenance postponement was politically influenced, Dr. Isaac Doku, WAPCo’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, dismissed claims that the government had interfered in the company’s schedule.
He explained that although WAPCo initially planned to conduct the maintenance in late 2024, but operational considerations and coordination with gas suppliers and off-takers across Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo led to the new timeline, which he insists did not pose any harm to the companies pipelines.
“At WAPCo, safety is paramount, so we must carefully analyze every detail before proceeding. Based on our operating parameters, we determined that it was safe to conduct the pigging process and other mandatory maintenance. In January 2025, we decided that this would be the appropriate time to carry out the work.”, Dr. Doku explained
The ongoing maintenance involves pigging and in-line inspection of the 569-kilometer offshore pipeline, a mandatory exercise undertaken every five years to ensure pipeline integrity and safety.
During the maintenance period, gas transportation from Nigeria to mid-point outlets such as Tema, Lomé, and Cotonou has been temporarily suspended, affecting power generation in Ghana and neighboring countries.
However, WAPCo says it has continued transporting gas from Nigeria to Takoradi, ensuring minimal disruption to supply chains.
