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The NewsRoom
Release: #4039
Date: October 09, 2009
MMS Shares Regulatory Expertise with the West African Pipeline Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) shared
its oil and gas regulatory expertise with the newly established West
African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo) and its multilateral
regulatory body, the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA),
during recent conferences held in Ghana and Togo. The MMS was asked
by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist
the WAGPA in developing the regulatory capacity needed to manage the
pipeline. The WAGPA consists of state regulatory authorities from
Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
The conferences
exposed the delegates to various oil and gas regulatory practices,
while exploring different methods for enforcing these regulations.
With support from multiple federal agencies, the conferences
demonstrated the U.S. Government’s commitment to assisting the
sub-region in obtaining a stable and low cost source of energy.
“I’m proud that the
MMS was asked to share its regulatory expertise with officials
from these four countries,” said MMS Director Liz Birnbaum. “MMS is
working closely with USAID in assisting Ghana and other West African
countries in developing their energy sectors.”
In opening the
conference, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Energy, the Honorable
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, stated: "WAGPA is being encouraged to
assume its proper regulatory authority to manage the West African
Gas Pipeline's safety and security. Environmental concerns must be
addressed and WAGPCo and WAGPA must take mitigation measures to
prevent damage to the pipeline."
The MMS presented
a comprehensive overview of its regulatory system as it applies to
pipelines, including its inspection and enforcement program, use of
industry standards, review of current MMS pipeline regulations, and
MMS pipeline research. The conferences aimed to build the capacity
of West African law enforcement and maritime and fisheries officials
to enhance the regulation and security of key offshore assets and
resources.
The WAGPCo is
harnessing the produced and associated gas from the Gulf of Guinea
and Niger Delta areas to export to other markets. The West African
Gas Pipeline is 421 miles long, stretching from the gas reserves in
Nigeria’s Escravos Region to Benin, Togo, and Ghana. This is the
first regional natural gas transmission system in sub-Saharan
Africa. The pipeline was commissioned in May 2008 and is expected
to be in service by the end of 2009. The 354 mile long offshore
section runs through the waters of Benin, Togo and Ghana,
approximately 9.3 miles to 12 miles offshore, in water depths
between 98 and 250 feet. The capacity is 177 billion cubic feet of
natural gas per year, and the pipeline is designed to operate at
3,000 pounds per square inch (psi).
Media Contact:
Leann Bullin
(703) 787-1755
MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior
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Last Updated:
11/02/2009,
03:52 PM
Central Time
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