Nigeria’s WAPCo back to business, resumes gas supplies ahead of schedule
The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) Limited, operators of the West African Gas Pipeline, has announced the successful completion of the cleaning and inspection of its 20’’ offshore pipeline from Badagry in Nigeria to Takoradi in Ghana, one month ahead of schedule.
WAPCo said it was grateful to its stakeholders for the show of support during the cleaning and inspection exercise that allowed it to safely and efficiently execute the work plan ahead of schedule.
The pipelines supply Nigerian gas to its customers in Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana.
The group in a statement weekend said “The internal inspection of the 569 km offshore pipeline was completed on Sunday, February 23, 2020, almost one month ahead of the scheduled completion date of March 20, 2020.”
“A significant amount of data was successfully gathered during the inspection and would be analysed over the next couple of months to further provide critical insights and assurance of the overall integrity of the pipeline to support WAPCo’s continuous optimal operations.
Continuing, WAPCo averred that “Following the successful cleaning and inspection of the offshore pipeline, WAPCo is resuming the transportation of gas to its customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana.
“In Ghana, WAPCo is currently transporting natural gas to its Takoradi Regulating and Metering Station only. Gas transportation to its Tema Regulating and Metering Station will commence after the completion of ongoing expansion works under the Takoradi to Tema Interconnection Project expected to be operational in March 2020.”
“With the completion of the pipeline cleaning and inspection exercise, WAPCo is better positioned to offer reliable and improved service to its customers in Ghana, Togo and Benin in their effort to provide a greater access to affordable and reliable power for economic growth,” it said.
Though during the repairs, Government of Ghana made a successful alternative plan with Equatorial Guinea on gas supplies, it was not still clear if Ghana will continue to rely on Nigerian gas alongside those coming from Equatorial Guinea (EG) to power its productive ventures going forward.
Business Hilights recalls that only Friday, EG LNG, the LNG liquefaction and export terminal located on Equatorial Guinea’s Bioko Island, celebrated the loading of its 700th LNG cargo. The terminal has been successfully operating for thirteen years, and remains one of sub-Saharan Africa’s landmark energy project.
Operated by Marathon Oil Corporation with shareholders Marubeni, Mitsui & Co and state-owned Sociedad Nacional de Gas (SONAGAS), EG LNG has been a key contributor to the socio-economic development of Equatorial Guinea.
The plant allowed for the monetization of the Alba gas field and delivered its first cargo on May 24th, 2007. The plant was inaugurated by H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in October 2007, and has been delivering LNG to global markets ever since, including South America, Europe and Asia.
The plant is a source of pride for Equatorial Guinea and Africa, and is at the centre of the Punta Europa complex, currently undergoing expansion and diversification to further monetize domestic gas.
