WAPCo to undertake phase two of gas pipeline cleaning in January 2025 

By Emmanuel Gamson  

Takoradi, Dec. 12, GNA – The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) will in January next year undertake phase two of its planned cleaning and inspection of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). 

The comprehensive cleaning and inspection exercise was a key maintenance and regulatory requirement to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline. 

 A statement signed by Dr Isaac Adjei Doku, General Manager, Corporate Affairs at WAPCo, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the second phase of the project involved the cleaning and inspection of the main section of the pipeline, which was offshore, stretching from Badagry, in the Lagos State, Nigeria to Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana. 

The statement noted that during the offshore cleaning and inspection period in 2025, WAPCo would temporarily suspend reverse flow transportation of gas from the Western Region to Tema.  

“This will also necessitate the shutdown of key facilities in Tema, Ghana, Lomé, Togo, and Cotonou, Benin. Also, WAPCo will replace subsea valves located at these strategic locations to enhance operational safety,” it stated.  

Per the statement, WAPCo was required to conduct these inspections every five years, and the last major inspection was done in January 2020.  

It said as part of the exercise, WAPCo had engaged and would continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to address any issues to ensure the project’s success. 

The Company undertook the first phase of the exercise on Monday, November 25, 2024 where it cleaned and inspected the onshore section of the pipeline located within Nigeria. 

The 10-day exercise aligned with industry best practices, and covered the entire pipeline infrastructure, from Itoki in Ogun State in Nigeria to Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana.  

It formed part of WAPCo’s ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the pipeline and ensure its continued safe and reliable operation across the West African Region. 

GNA