The decision is as a result of loss of pressure in a part of the trans-national pipeline
The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has announced the shut down of natural gas supply to some neighbouring member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decision, according company follows an unusual loss of pressure experienced around the Lome segment of the multi-billion dollar trans-regional gas pipeline system, the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
The gas pipeline facility is designed to supply Nigeria’s natural gas from the oilfields in the Niger Delta to the neighbouring countries.
“WAPCo has subsequently stopped all gas deliveries to its onshore stations and is working closely with the government agencies and other relevant organisations to investigate the cause of loss of pressure and to ensure safety while rectifying the situation,” the company said in a statement.
The company was silent on the likely cause of the reduced pressure, indications however, emerged that the closure of the pipeline system was effected as a pre-emptive measure to forestall any serious damage, which may have resulted from a suspected sabotage of the system by some unknown elements.
The Accra based company is a limited liability company that owns and operates the West African Gas Pipeline designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria to customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana in a safe, responsible and reliable manner, at prices competitive with other fuel alternatives.
WAPCO, a joint venture between public and private sector companies from Nigeria, has regional field offices in Badagry, Nigeria, Cotonou, Benin; Lome, Togo, Tema and Takoradi, both in Ghana.
WAPCo is owned by Chevron West African Gas Pipeline Limited (36.7%); Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)25%); Shell Overseas Holdings Limited (18%); and Takoradi Power Company Limited (16.3%), Societe Togolaise de Gaz (2%) and Societe BenGaz S.A. (2%).
