The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo), operator of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), has announced a scheduled maintenance operation that could potentially disrupt power supply in Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic for several weeks in early 2025. The maintenance, slated for February 5th to March 2nd, 2025, involves crucial activities like pigging, an internal pipeline cleaning procedure, and an in-line inspection of the 569-kilometer offshore pipeline segment stretching from Ajido, Lagos State, Nigeria to Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region. The operation also includes replacing vital subsea valves located at Tema, Ghana and Cotonou, Benin Republic. These activities are essential for enhancing operational safety and ensuring the pipeline’s long-term integrity.
The impact of this maintenance will be significant, with the temporary suspension of several gas transportation services. Reverse flow transportation of natural gas from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema in the east will be halted. Similarly, gas transportation services from Nigeria to Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo), and Tema (Ghana) will be temporarily interrupted. This disruption could lead to widespread power outages in these countries, as thermal power plants rely heavily on the gas supplied through the WAGP. While gas transportation services from Nigeria to Takoradi in Ghana will continue to facilitate the cleaning and inspection activities, the overall reduction in gas supply poses a considerable challenge to the affected nations.
The planned maintenance was initially scheduled for January 2025 but was postponed to February to allow Ghana time to secure alternative fuel sources for its thermal plants, mitigating the potential impact of the gas supply disruption. The comprehensive cleaning and inspection, a regulatory requirement and industry best practice, is conducted every five years or on a risk-based schedule to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the WAGP. This rigorous process underlines WAPCo’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the pipeline and upholding its reliability as a crucial energy infrastructure asset in the West African region.
The two-phase cleaning and inspection process began in December 2024 with the onshore section of the pipeline within Nigeria. The upcoming second phase, focusing on the offshore segment, is more complex and involves a larger scale of operations. This offshore section, running from Itoki, Ogun State in Nigeria to Takoradi, Ghana, necessitates specialized equipment and expertise, further highlighting the significance of the maintenance operation. The temporary halt in gas supply underscores the interconnectedness of energy infrastructure in the region and the potential for disruptions to have cascading effects on multiple countries.
WAPCo has emphasized its proactive engagement with key stakeholders throughout the planning and implementation of this project. The company has been in close communication with the governments of Benin Republic, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo to secure their support and cooperation. Collaboration has also extended to maritime and regulatory authorities across the four countries, as well as customers, shippers, gas off-takers, host communities, shareholders, and other relevant stakeholders. This comprehensive stakeholder engagement reflects WAPCo’s commitment to transparency and collaborative problem-solving in addressing the potential challenges posed by the maintenance operation.
Auwal Ibrahim, WAPCo’s General Manager of Operations & Maintenance, reiterated the company’s dedication to maintaining open communication with all stakeholders throughout the project’s execution. This commitment to continuous engagement aims to ensure the project’s safe and successful completion, minimizing disruptions and mitigating potential risks. The planned maintenance, while potentially disruptive in the short term, is a critical investment in the long-term reliability and safety of the WAGP, securing its role as a vital energy artery for the West African region. The collaboration between WAPCo and regional stakeholders underscores the shared responsibility for maintaining critical infrastructure and ensuring energy security for the region.
