(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has revealed plans to extend the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) from Ghana to Ivory Coast. This is in line with the Federal Government’s energy integration policy.

The Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, NNPC, Saidu Mohammed, disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Ivory Coast in Abuja.

According to him, the extension would facilitate easy transmission of gas within the West African sub-region.

Mohammed noted that the visit grants both parties the opportunity to open a new vista for more bilateral discussion which would bring about the growth and development of the oil and gas sector.

“Petroleum exploration and production dates back to over fifty years in Nigeria and a lot of experiences in technology and personnel management have been acquired. We are ready to share our experiences with you so as to help you to avoid the mistakes we made in the past,” he said.

The West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) is a 421-mile long regional high-pressure gas transmission system, designed to supply gas from Nigeria's Escravos region of Niger Delta area to Benin, Togo and Ghana. It is the first regional natural gas transmission system in sub-Saharan Africa.

The pipeline is owned and operated by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo). WAGPCo is owned by Chevron West African Gas Pipeline Ltd with 36.9%, NNPC (24.9%), Shell Overseas Holdings Limited (17.9%), Takoradi Power Company Limited (16.3%), Societe Togolaise de Gaz (2%) and Societe BenGaz S.A. (2%).

Anita Fatunji