Achieving Efficiency in Gas Pipeline Connection: Evidence from Ghana

Anthony Kudjo Gborgenu, Frank B. K. Twenefour () and Mathias Gyamfi
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Anthony Kudjo Gborgenu: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Takoradi Polytechnic, Takoradi, Ghana.
Frank B. K. Twenefour: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Takoradi Polytechnic, Takoradi, Ghana.
Mathias Gyamfi: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Takoradi Polytechnic, Takoradi, Ghana.

International Journal of Business and Social Research, 2016, vol. 6, issue 5, 28-42

Abstract: The demand for the use of natural gas is on the increase as an energy source. Natural gas transportation requires a continuous pipeline network from the source of gas across long distance to the various destinations. The main objective involves extending gas pipelines from Takoradi to all the regional capital towns in Ghana to meet the growing demands of its citizenry in order to provide economy and efficiency with regards to cost and environmental sustainability by developing a straight forward method of locating pipeline facilities and designing pipeline networks. The problem is formulated as a network of distances and the solution is presented based on Prim’s Algorithm for minimum connections. Data on distances are obtained from the Ghana Highways Authority. The total distance covered by the pipe line network if the existing road networks were used from Takoradi to all the regional capitals towns in Ghana is 5,094km. After Prim’s Algorithm was used, the total distance covered decreased to 1,590km which is about 68.8% reduction in the distance covered with regards to cost and the environmental damage caused by construction of pipelines (soil, forest, rivers, wetlands, noise from compressor stations during pipeline discharge and risk of pipeline leakage).

Keywords: Natural gas; network analysis; pipelines; Prims algorithms; transportation. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C6 C61 L95 N5 Q21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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