Ghana, Ivory Coast discuss constructing common gas pipeline

Ghana’s Energy Ministry has started a discussion with its Ivorian counterpart on the possibility of the two countries building a gas pipeline. The project conceived by Ghana’s Energy Ministry is part of efforts to ensure stable power in the two countries. The Energy Ministry has tabled a proposal to extend the Ghana part of the Natural Gas Transmission Network System (NGTS) from its gas processing facility at Atuabo in the Ellembelle District – along the western border of Ghana – to border town Sringabo in Ivory Coast. The project also considers the possibility for business interests along the route of the pipeline to enjoy the hydrocarbon. It will involve the construction of a 20-inch, 52km gas pipeline – from Atuabo to Sringabo – with the capacity to transport between 100 – 150 mmscfd of natural gas a day. A delegation from Ghana last Friday held the first meeting on the project in Ivory Coast. The delegation was made up of Deputy Energy Minister in charge of Finance and Infrastructure Joseph Cudjoe, Paramount Chief of Western Nzema Traditional Area and Board Member of Ghana Gas Company Limited Awulae Amihere Kpainyinli III, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas Company Limited Dr. Ben Asante together with Ghana’s Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Fred Laryea. At the meeting with Ivory Coast’s Energy Minister Addourahmane Cisse and his team, Mr. Joseph Cudjoe stressed on the need for Ivory Coast “to buy into the idea”. “…since our economies are moving into the phase of generating electricity with gas so we can enjoy low electricity tariffs, this project will be crucial. We should deem it necessary to interlink our gas availability.” He said “already [Ghana and Ivory Coast] have an existing collaboration in the energy sector where we are able to supply power to your country when there is a deficit in generation and vice versa. This collaboration has gone on so well in ensuring a relative stability in our energy sector”. Mr. Cudjoe added: “It is this success that we hope to replicate using our natural gas.” And this project will also use the “supply when low” arrangement”, he told the Ivorians. “So we are here to table that project. There has been a discussion based on which I have to submit a letter. This interaction is to brief you and also hand-deliver a letter from my President through my minister to your President.” On his part, Ivory Coast Energy Minister Addourahmane Cisse referred to what he termed great collaboration between his country and Ghana and said his country is open to new opportunities. “The two countries have enjoyed great collaboration for years. So we are definitely open to explore new opportunities. So I would love to have more information.” He said: “I would love to have the document that will give a bit more information and details about the project. That will be good for the team to look at the numbers so we can take this discussion forward”. The delegation later held a closed-door meeting with the Vice President of Ivory Coast, Daniel Kablan Duncan. Source: 3news.com|Ghana]]>