The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCO) has revised the schedule for its offshore pipeline cleaning and inspection exercise, known as “pigging.”
Originally slated to begin on January 20, 2025, the operation will now commence on February 3, 2025, to accommodate the needs of key stakeholders, according to a press release by the company.
The exercise, expected to run for four weeks until March 2, 2025, will involve a temporary suspension of reverse gas flow from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema and a shutdown of key facilities in Tema, Lomé (Togo), and Cotonou (Benin). During this period, WAPCO will replace critical subsea valves to enhance operational safety.
“This comprehensive cleaning and inspection is a regulatory requirement and aligns with industry best practices to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the West African Gas Pipeline,” WAPCO stated in its press release.
The pipeline cleaning, a biannual mandate, is divided into two phases. The first phase, completed in December 2024, addressed the onshore segment of the pipeline within Nigeria. The upcoming second phase will focus on the offshore section, spanning from Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria, to Takoradi, Ghana.
“This exercise is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the West African Gas Pipeline and ensuring its continued safe and reliable operation across the region,” WAPCO emphasized.
The West African Gas Pipeline, stretching from Itoki in Ogun State, Nigeria, to Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region, serves as a critical energy infrastructure for the subregion.
