WAPCO Assures Pipeline Repairs Won’t Impact Environment

West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo), owners and operators of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) has said safety measures have been taken to ensure its pipeline repairs won’t cause any damage to the environment in Nigeria and other host West African countries.

During the exercise, WAPCo anticipates only a minimal disruption to the activities of host communities within the vicinity of its facilities in Badagry Nigeria and Aboadze, Ghana as most of the activities will be  offshore and confined within the premises of our facilities.

Giving further details while speaking in Lagos on Friday, general manager, Corporate Affairs, WAPCo, Dr Isaac Adjei Doku, said that as part of the maintenance process, WAPCo has engaged the Environmental Protection Agencies in the respective countries and has implemented a world class effluent management system at its facility in Takoradi, Ghana, where the company expects to receive some liquids and debris from the cleaning of the offshore pipeline.

Doku further commended the governments of Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Togo for their ongoing support, while also appreciating the maritime and regulatory authorities across these four countries, as well as its customers, shippers, gas off-takers, host communities, shareholders, and all other relevant stakeholders for their continued collaboration and contribution to the success of this exercise.

Meanwhile, he said, governments of Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic have taken critical steps to protect key power plants by ensuring their operations following alteration in gas supply from Nigeria.

The WAPCo, which supplies gas to those countries, has commenced a scheduled major pipeline maintenance activities. These activities include; the pigging and the in-line inspection of the 569 km offshore pipeline infrastructure, from Ajido, Lagos State, Nigeria to Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana and replacement of critical subsea valves at Tema and Cotonou to enhance operational safety.

This maintenance project taking place between February 5 and March 2, 2025, will necessitate the temporary suspension of specific services, including the reverse flow transportation of natural gas from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema in the east, as well as gas transportation services from Nigeria to Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo), and Tema (Ghana).

However, some gas transportation services from Nigeria to Takoradi in Ghana will continue during this period to ensure the successful execution of the pipeline cleaning and inspection activities.

Doku said, for instance, in Togo, two plants, Konto Globa and Kekeli may be affected during the maintenance period. In Benin, the Government is making preparations for the use of liquid especially in Thema where Ghana has two key hubs.

Thema is about 1,000 megawatts but needs at least 650 megawatts for the stability of power in the country and for the whole grid in Ghana to be stabilized. He said, except that 650MW generation is maintained during the period the grid in Ghana can collapse.

“So at least the power plants that can use liquid fuels in Thema, the idea was for the government to get enough liquid fuel so that those plants can actually generate.” he added. Doku also spoke about contractual agreement for gas, as he sought regular payment from countries to sustain the company’s operations.

He raised concerns about gas price fluctuations but maintained that stakeholders should make sure they pay up so that at least the company can maintain the pipeline and keep flowing the gas for them.

The comprehensive cleaning and inspection 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).