By Sebastine Obasi

The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), owner and operator of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) has stated that the cleaning and inspection of its offshore pipeline, which started February 5, is scheduled to be completed on March 2, 2025.

WAPCo’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Isaac Adjei Doku, who stated this in a media chat, explained that the five yearly routine exercise is embarked upon to deliver efficient services to its customers. “We do this, which includes cleaning of pipelines as a part of the standard procedure for efficiency, integrity, and as a requirement for insurance,” he said.

Giving more insight on the project that goes through Cotonou, Lome, Tema and Takoradi in Ghana, he said, “An average of about 85,000MMSCF/d of gas required to push the Pipeline Inspection Guage (PIG) from Nigeria to Takoradi will be transported. Meaning WAPCo will be transporting gas to Takoradi.

“The maintenance work will prioritize the safety of the workers and WAPCo has extensively engaged all relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful project. WAPCo’s engineering and safety teams have worked to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure all activities are completed as safely and efficiently as possible.

“Activities to be undertaken during the period include: Cleaning the pipeline to remove debris, dirt, and liquids, inspecting the internal walls of the pipeline, replacing subsea valves, conducting any ancillary works needed while gas transportation services are suspended.”

He also said that most of the activities will take place offshore and at two WAPCo facilities, namely: WAPCo’s Lagos Beach Compressor Station located at Badagry, Lagos State Nigeria and at the Takoradi Regulating and Metering Station. “Our Lagos Beach Compressor Station is where the cleaning and inspection devices, known as “PIGs” will be inserted into the pipeline. “Takoradi Regulating and Metering Station is where each “PIG” will arrive after traveling through the 569km stretch of pipeline. Several cleaning devices “PIGs” will be introduced at the Nigeria end of the offshore pipeline at Lagos Beach Compressor Station. These will travel through the pipeline with pressure from the gas being transported to Takoradi. When Pipeline is sufficiently cleaned a device known as “intelligent pig” will be inserted into pipeline to inspect its internal walls as it travels down to Takoradi.

Vanguard learnt that the project is being handled by Topline.

“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 where the company expects to receive some liquids and debris from the cleaning of the offshore pipeline.

“WAPCo is grateful to the governments of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo for their ongoing support. Additionally, WAPCo appreciates 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,” Doku added.