The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has announced that the company will Monday, November 25, 2024, begin its planned cleaning and inspection of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP).

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

The exercise aligns with industry best practices and will cover the entire pipeline infrastructure, from Itoki in Ogun State in Nigeria to Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana. It is part of WAPCo's ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the WAGP and ensure its continued safe and reliable operation across the West African region.

The project will be in two phases. The first phase, which begins on Monday, November 25, involves the cleaning and inspection of the onshore section of the pipeline, which is located in Nigeria.

This first phase is scheduled to last for 10 days. WAPCo has engaged relevant stakeholders ahead of this exercise and does not anticipate any major disruption to customers' gas transportation services.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in January 2025. This involves the cleaning and inspection of the main section of the pipeline, which is offshore, stretching from Badagry in the Lagos State, Nigeria, to Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana.

A statement issued by WAPCo explained that "during the offshore cleaning and inspection period in 2025, WAPCo will temporarily suspend reverse flow transportation of gas from the Western Region of Ghana to Tema, Ghana. This will also necessitate the shutdown of key facilities in Tema, Ghana; Lomé, Togo; and Cotonou, Benin. Also, WAPCo will replace subsea valves at these strategic locations to enhance operational safety."

It added that "WAPCo is required to conduct these inspections every five years, and the last major inspection was done in January 2020. As part of this current exercise, WAPCo has engaged and will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to address any issues and ensure the project's success."

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