West African gas pipeline (WAGP) project: Associated problems and possible remedies

Abstract

Global focus is gradually turning away from crude oil as a major source of energy to natural gas due to its abundant availability, environmental friendliness and cost effectiveness, this has effectively increased the transboundary pipeline networks with minimal consideration to the impact at which the offshore segment of such projects could have on the environment. This paper considers Nigeria's present engagement in transboundary transportation of 11.3 billion cubic meters per day (11.3 BCMPD) of natural gas to Benin, Togo and Ghana for thermal and industrial uses through a 1,033 km pipeline network out of which 617 km is a submerged offshore pipeline network. The study is necessitated by the alarming frequency at which hydrocarbon pipeline failure occurs in Nigeria with the resulting economy, environmental and human consequences. It was discovered that any failure along the offshore segment of the pipelength poses high risk of hydrate formation and dissolution of some constituents which could result to problems ranging from behavioral nature (e.g. fish excitement, increased activities and scattering in the waterbody) to chronic poisoning, fire outbreak, loss of human lives and livestock and climate change. Development of pragmatic management scheme, robust leak detection model and predictive model on natural gas flow pattern in waterbody are recommended. © 2009 Springer Netherlands.