The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has welcomed the discovery of hydrocarbons at the Nya Gyidie-1X exploration well in the Deepwater Cape Three Points Block offshore Ghana, describing the result as an important development in the country's efforts to discover new petroleum resources and sustain future production.
The discovery, announced by block operator Planet One Oil & Gas, marks the first successful test of a carbonate reservoir system in Ghana, establishing a new geological target for further exploration beyond the sandstone reservoirs associated with the country's existing commercial oil and gas fields.
GNPC is a partner in the block alongside Planet One Oil & Gas and GOIL Upstream Limited, a subsidiary of GOIL PLC.
Located approximately 148 kilometres offshore Ghana, Nya Gyidie-1X was drilled in water depths of 2,289 metres. The well encountered hydrocarbons in carbonate rock between 3,364 and 3,499 metres measured depth along the wellbore. The result is particularly encouraging for Ghana's upstream petroleum industry, where replacing produced reserves, attracting fresh exploration investment and addressing declining production remain important priorities.
Commenting on the discovery, GNPC Chief Executive Kwame Ntow Amoah said the result was significant not only for the hydrocarbons encountered but also for the new exploration opportunities it presents. "The significance of Nya Gyidie-1X goes beyond the hydrocarbons encountered in this well. For the first time in Ghana, we have tested and confirmed hydrocarbons in a carbonate reservoir system, opening up a new geological play for further exploration," he said.
"At a time when replenishing our reserves and sustaining production are national priorities, this is an encouraging development. The next task is to establish the scale and commercial potential of the discovery through rigorous technical evaluation. GNPC looks forward to working with Planet One and GOIL Upstream to build on this result and advance the development and production opportunities it presents for Ghana," he added.
The discovery is also expected to help consolidate the wave of renewed interest and investment in petroleum exploration and production. Although the presence of hydrocarbons has been confirmed, further technical work is required to determine the size, characteristics and commercial viability of the discovery, with the results of this evaluation set to guide subsequent exploration and appraisal decisions.
GNPC commended Planet One, GOIL Upstream and the technical teams involved in the drilling campaign for their work and collaboration in achieving the result. It stated that it will continue to work with its partners and the relevant regulatory institutions to evaluate the discovery and determine the next steps in line with its mandate to support the exploration, development and responsible management of Ghana's petroleum resources.