Nigeria supplies Ghana through WAGP

It has been reported that Nigeria has begun to supply gas to Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic through the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP). West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) began project inauguration in December 2009, ahead of its planned start of commercial operation scheduled for this year.

When completed, the pipeline will supply natural gas from oil fields in the Niger Delta through the Escravos-Lagos pipeline system to thermal power stations in Benin, Togo and Ghana for electricity generation.

According to Sanusi Barkindo, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the 680 km WAGP has become operational a result of relative peace in the Nigeria Delta, which has enabled increased gas production in Nigeria.

Militant attacks on Nigeria’s pipelines have been reduced as a result of efforts by the Federal Government in amnesty programmes. In addition, the NNPC has invested N11 billion in repairing vandalised gas pipelines. Power generation in Nigeria has recently peaked between 3000 - 4000 MW due to improved gas supply.

Meanwhile, Ghana has expressed doubt over Nigeria’s ability to supply the gas needed for power generation in three countries.

Ghana requires gas from Nigeria this year before it begins crude production Jubilee oil field in Q4 2010. Further, it is estimated that Ghana will need an additional 180 – 200 million ft³/d of gas to generate additional 800 megawatts of electricity in the next three years.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/31032010/nigeria_supplies_ghana_through_wagp/