The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has announced a major maintenance project on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) set to take place from February 5 to March 2, 2025. The comprehensive maintenance will involve a process called pigging, which cleans the pipeline, and an in-line inspection of the 569-kilometer offshore pipeline that stretches from Ajido in Lagos State, Nigeria, to Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region.
As part of the maintenance, WAPCo will also replace critical subsea valves located at Tema in Ghana and Cotonou in Benin, aiming to enhance the pipeline’s operational safety. However, certain services will be temporarily suspended during this period, including the reverse flow of natural gas from Ghana’s Western Region to Tema, as well as gas transportation from Nigeria to Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo), and Tema (Ghana).
Gas deliveries from Nigeria to Takoradi will continue during the maintenance to support the pipeline cleaning and inspection processes.
WAPCo emphasized that the maintenance is in line with regulatory requirements and international best practices. The company is committed to conducting such inspections every five years or as per a risk-based schedule to ensure the safety, reliability, and integrity of the WAGP.
“The WAGP maintenance project reflects our dedication to maintaining the pipeline’s safety and operational efficiency. We continue to engage with key stakeholders including the governments of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo, regulatory bodies, maritime authorities, gas shippers, off-takers, and host communities to ensure a smooth process,” said Auwal Ibrahim, WAPCo’s General Manager for Operations & Maintenance.
WAPCo, which owns and operates the critical infrastructure, plays a significant role in regional energy security by supporting natural gas transportation across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
