Ghana to formally kick-start offshore field production of gas in commercial quantities

desmond frimpong

July 5, 2018 12:35 PM

Ghana to formally kick-start offshore field production of gas in commercial quantities

Ghana and its partners are readying to start of commercial gas production on the Sankofa field Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP).

Reports indicate that production started from two of the four deep-water subsea wells connected to the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel named after one of Ghana's former presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor.

The commercial gas production field will generate 180 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d) for at least 15 years.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Kofi Kodua Sarpong is confident that the gas production will yield benefits to Ghana.

"GNPC is delighted that the OCTP development has reached this milestone," Sarpong said.

He pledged GNPC's support for Eni of Italy, the operator, on further steps to ensure that gas delivery to the Ghanaian market reached its expected volumes in the shortest period of time.

OCTP is the only deep offshore non-associated gas development in Sub-Saharan Africa entirely earmarked for domestic consumption and expected to guarantee stable, reliable, and affordable gas supplies to Ghana.

The project was developed at the cost of $7.9 billion with a $500 million partial guarantee from the World Bank.

It is expected that gas from OCTP could help Ghana shift from oil-fueled power generation to a cleaner power source, with financial as well as environmental benefits to contribute to the country's sustainable economic development.

With the achievement of gas start up, OCTP overall oil and gas production will reach up to 85,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, explained the release.

desmond frimpong