Benino Owusu Ayeh, the Operations and Maintenance Superintendent at the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO), has revealed that the ongoing maintenance work on the gas pipeline is 70% complete and is expected to be fully finished by the scheduled date of March 2.
He explained that the mandatory shutdown and cleaning, which takes place every five years, is essential to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the facility. This process aligns with industry best practices and is also used to gather data on the pipeline.
The maintenance work is also critical to preserving the integrity of the pipeline, which runs from Nigeria to Ghana.
Mr. Ayeh shared this update during a media engagement to inform the public about the progress of the maintenance activities.
” We started this operation on the fifth when we isolated, Takoradi Station, then we isolated the laterals to commence the first peak on the February 7. Since then, we have received an average, of three and a half days. So we’ve made some gains in terms of our estimation. We estimated four to five days, however, we optimized it, and we have received three.
After assessing the line and the debris that we saw in Takoradi, we further optimized the operation, currently in transit, and we should receive it on Saturday, the twenty-second. Once we receive that link, we will now launch to clean the product. Once we complete the thermal, we will now launch the final link that will travel for about three, half or four days. “
“By looking at the travel distance and what we communicated by the second March, we believe that we should be able to complete this exercise.”
Dr. Isaac Agyei Doku, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs at WAPCO, confirmed that the maintenance period is also being used to replace two subsea valves.
He expressed concern over some media reports suggesting that Ghana is receiving gas from Nigeria due to the ongoing maintenance, calling the claims inaccurate.
Meanwhile, Michele Beckett, the Managing Director of WAPCO, announced plans to conduct visibility studies aimed at expanding the facility. This expansion will enhance the ability to meet the country’s energy needs by improving the transportation of gas from Nigeria.
” What we are doing this year, we have funds in place to conduct the engineering analysis to debottleneck it. Right now, you heard Benoni say that we have about two hundred twenty-five five million delivery capacity. So we’re not using all of that right now, but we’re getting close.”
“So we’re looking at opportunities to debottleneck, and then eventually, we’re very open and willing to expand this facility, and we’re very open to those volumes growing. So I do think WAPCO will be in a very good position to support the energy needs from a transportation perspective of gas from Nigeria and the rural Western region of Ghana.”
