Accra, Sept. 18, GNA – The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its exploration subsidiary, GNPC Explorco, have intensified preparations to drill the TUA-1X exploratory well at Chegu in the Mion District, marking a significant step in efforts to unlock the petroleum potential of the Voltaian Basin.
The proposed well would move exploration programme beyond seismic surveys and geological interpretation into direct subsurface testing, providing critical data to evaluate years of technical studies and guide future exploration activities in the Basin.
A joint management team from GNPC and GNPC Explorco visited the proposed well site to assess progress and review the immediate work programme ahead of drilling operations.
The next phase of the project would involve the construction of a 13.5-kilometre access road to the site, development of a rig pad, and other preparatory works required for the safe mobilisation and installation of the drilling rig.
Mr Sam Opoku-Arthur, Managing Director of GNPC Explorco, said the move towards site preparation followed extensive subsurface studies that helped identify and mature the drilling target.
“The next step for us, after all the subsurface work that we did, is to start the construction of the access road and the rig pad and ensure the safe arrival of the rig,” he said.
Mr Joseph Lartey, Project Manager for the TUA-1X Well at GNPC Explorco, said the engineering design phase had been completed, paving the way for construction of the access road, preparation of the well location and establishment of a base camp.
Mr Kwame Ntow Amoah, the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, described the project as the culmination of years of technical work and consistent with the Corporation’s mandate to undertake high-risk exploration activities aimed at opening new areas for investment.
He said, similar to GNPC’s pioneering offshore exploration efforts several decades ago, the Corporation was once again taking the lead in de-risking a frontier basin where investor interest had historically been limited.
“We are taking the lead this time to establish GNPC as the pioneer in opening up the Voltaian Basin,” Mr Ntow Amoah said.
According to him, a successful well would provide valuable subsurface information that could be integrated with existing seismic data to improve geological understanding and assessment of the Basin’s hydrocarbon potential.
The Voltaian Basin, which covers about 103,000 square kilometres, is Ghana’s largest sedimentary basin. GNPC believes data from the drilling programme will progressively reduce exploration uncertainty and create a stronger technical basis for future investment.
Officials, however, stressed that preparations for drilling should not be interpreted as an indication that commercial quantities of oil or gas had already been identified.
Mr Hamis Ussif, Deputy Chief Executive responsible for Finance, Commercial and Administration, said exploratory drilling remained valuable regardless of whether hydrocarbons were encountered.
“You may hit your target, which is to find oil or gas, or you may not find oil or gas, but you still find data that will be useful for you going forward,” he said.
He added that funding had been secured beyond the current year to support the drilling programme and related activities.
GNPC and GNPC Explorco expect data generated from the well to provide an opportunity to compare existing geological interpretations with actual subsurface conditions and support decisions on subsequent exploration activities across the Basin.
Ahead of the site inspection, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Chegu Naa, Naa Andani Iddrisu, to brief him on the upcoming activities and reaffirm the companies’ commitment to community engagement.
The chief welcomed progress on the project and underscored the importance of openness, mutual respect and continued collaboration between the companies and the host community.
Mr Misbahu Mahama Adams, the Member of Parliament for Mion and Mr Azindow Hamza Moabaly, the District Chief Executive, also expressed support for the programme and pledged continued cooperation with GNPC and GNPC Explorco.
The visit to Chegu followed an earlier engagement with the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Abukari II, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, where traditional authorities were updated on developments in the Basin and preparations for the next phase of exploration.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade