In a move to ensure the continuous reliability of Ghana’s gas supply, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy, led by its Chairman, Hon. William Owuraku Aidoo, recently visited the Gas Processing Plant at Atuabo in the Western Region. The visit was initiated following an invitation from Ghana National Gas Limited as part of their routine oversight duties.
Ghana Gas plays a crucial role in powering a significant portion of the nation’s energy sector by supplying lean gas. Recently, the Minister of State for Energy granted approval for the company to undertake a planned shutdown for maintenance of its processing plant, a move deemed essential to sustaining optimal performance and preventing costly breakdowns.
During the visit, the committee was guided through the facility by the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas, Dr. Ben K.D. Asante. He emphasized the strategic significance of the maintenance, highlighting the impact it would have in terms of reducing insurance risks and enhancing the plant’s operational efficiency for the benefit of the country.
The Maintenance Head, Ing. Richmond Alamu, provided the committee with a detailed overview of the tasks completed during the shutdown. These included the installation of a new standby product cooler unit, refurbishment of tower internals, inspection and servicing of the de-ethanizer process tower internals, calibration of pressure safety valves, transmitters, and static gauges, as well as repairs and replacements of various defective valves. Additionally, specialized servicing of emergency shutdown valves (ESDVs), control systems, and blowdown valves was undertaken.
At the Anorkyi Metering Compression Station (AMCS), a comprehensive mechanical inspection and servicing of both static and rotating equipment were conducted. Improvements included the installation of lubrication lines on aftercoolers for easier maintenance access, power systems load-sharing enhancements, and inspection and servicing of control cabinets and electrical systems.
Responding to questions from the committee, Ing. Alamu disclosed that the entire maintenance exercise cost slightly over $5 million USD. He noted that leveraging in-house expertise allowed the team to complete the work ahead of schedule, saving both time and resources. The committee was particularly impressed by the team’s efficiency, as they managed to finish the project three days earlier than planned, thereby avoiding additional expenses on crude oil procurement.
The committee members expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the maintenance activities and commended Dr. Asante for his leadership and technical acumen. They also applauded the maintenance team for their dedication and collaboration with contractors, which led to the successful completion of the shutdown. Their swift and effective execution was recognized as a major contribution to safeguarding the nation’s energy resources and optimizing plant performance.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com