The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has said that it would undertake a planned emergency shutdown and High Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) Proof tests between January 28 and 30, 2024.
This will affect its facilities in Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.
In a statement dated January 22, WAPCo said this was required by its regulatory authority, the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA).
“WAPCo is required to carry out a periodic Emergency Shut Down and HIPPS Proof Test as part of measures aimed at ensuring safe and reliable operations of the pipeline.
“This Emergency Shut Down and HIPPS Proof Tests is part of WAPCo’s 2024 Scheduled Maintenance activities and planned collaboratively with key stakeholders in the four countries and sanctioned by WAGPA,” WAPCo explained.
WAPCo further stated, “All other relevant stakeholders have been informed in advance, and the schedule has been shared with them for all parties to be aligned to ensure minimal disruption”.
The company further apologised to its customers for any inconvenience that may be caused by the planned shutdown.
A similar shutdown was carried out six months ago at its Tema Regulating and Metering Station.
It was part of WAPCo’s commitment to ensuring safe and reliable operations of the pipeline.
The date for the emergency shutdown was carefully coordinated with the Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo) in consultation with the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and other key stakeholders.