The General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku, has pointed out the current state of WAPCo and the ongoing maintenance activities along the West African Gas Pipeline. Dr. Doku outlined the challenges encountered and the progress made in ensuring the integrity of the pipeline system.
Dr. Doku disclosed that WAPCo recently experienced a larger-than-expected accumulation of liquids and debris. The situation arose during the mandatory cleaning exercise of the pipeline system. He explained;
“The pipeline is a complex system. It’s not just a simple pipeline. The regulatory section connects the Nigeria Gas Pipeline to our Lagos Beach Compressor Station, which then feeds gas offshore to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku General Manager of WAPCo
He pointed out that the buildup of condensates and debris, which is normal over extended periods, was exacerbated by the absence of maintenance since the last cleaning in 2020.
The pipeline cleaning exercise has been carried out in two phases. Dr. Doku elaborated on the meticulous nature of the process. He emphasized;
“We run a pipeline instrumentation gauge through the pipeline using gas pressure to push it. The process must be repeated multiple times, depending on the debris level. So far, we’ve run it about four times to ensure thorough cleaning.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku General Manager of WAPCo
He pointed out the urgent need for a well-monitored cleaning exercise in the pipeline operations. Dr. Doku explained the impact of this.
“Last week, we had a temporary shutdown of Lagos Beach because the volume pushed out was more than expected. That issue was resolved, but it highlighted the challenges associated with the exercise.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku General Manager of WAPCo
According to Dr. Doku, Safety considerations remain paramount throughout WAPCo’s operations.
“When debris was picked up in Tema, our safety system kicked in. Given the nature of gas, safety is paramount. The system initiated a temporary shutdown, which was not planned but necessary to ensure safety.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku General Manager of WAPCo
He reassured stakeholders that the cleaning exercise at Tema has now been completed, and normal operations are resuming.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
“Per regulatory requirements, we clean the pipeline every five years. Until you tackle the pipeline, you never know what is inside. This cleaning ensures the pipeline’s integrity and prevents issues that can arise from accumulated debris and condensates.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku General Manager of WAPCo
According to him, as a result of the recent maintenance despite its challenges like the temporary shutdown that happened, it’s essential for the pipeline’s safe and efficient operation.
With the onshore cleaning completed, attention has shifted to resuming gas flow through a 500-kilometer pipeline. He emphasized;
“As I speak now, we are pumping gas into the pipeline to build pressure. The power plants can only take gas at a certain pressure, so we need to achieve that threshold before gas can flow.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku General Manager of WAPCo
While he could not provide an exact timeline, Dr. Doku shared optimistic projections. He noted; “By 7 PM today, it is very likely that gas flow to the power plants will resume.”
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku’s explanation highlights the complexities of managing a transnational pipeline system like WAPCo.
The ongoing maintenance ensures compliance with regulatory standards and safeguards the integrity of the infrastructure, which serves as a vital energy conduit for West Africa.
With safety at the forefront, WAPCo is addressing challenges efficiently, and stakeholders can look forward to a timely resumption of normal operations.
