Movement of equipment and materials by the repair contractor is progressing, and flushing of the 50-km pipeline is expected to commence by the weekend to clear hydrocarbon deposits before cutting and welding for replacement of the damaged section.

“If all goes according to plan, we expect to complete the repair as soon as possible and reopen the line,” said Vice President HSE and Corporate Affairs, Tony Attah. “It means the force majeure we declared on Forcados offtake programme will be lifted late October/early November as soon as Forcados production has returned to normal levels.”