ENI, Tullow restart drilling in Ghana’s offshore oil fields
By Rebecca Okine
Ghana’s upstream oil industry is gaining renewed momentum as ENI Ghana and Tullow Ghana Limited resume drilling operations in key offshore fields, specifically the Sankofa Field in the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block and the Jubilee Field.
The move signals a strategic push to revitalize production levels and attract further investment in the country’s energy sector.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and the Petroleum Commission have approved the drilling campaigns, highlighting their importance in stabilizing oil output and reinforcing investor confidence amid global shifts in energy investment.
Tullow Ghana has deployed the Noble Venturer drillship to drill the JBE-P well in the Jubilee South-East area. Expected to begin producing in Q3 2025, the well will initially yield 2,800 barrels of oil per day, ramping up to 4,500 bopd by 2026. After completion, the rig will undergo a scheduled survey before entering a broader two-year drilling program later in 2025.
Simultaneously, ENI is targeting enhanced recovery at the Sankofa Field through a side-track well (SNKE-1X ST2) into the Cenomanian reservoir. The well is being drilled using the Deep Value Driller (DVD), one of the most advanced 7th-generation drillships, which began operations in Ghana after relocating from Côte d’Ivoire on May 28.
Combined, the two campaigns could unlock an estimated 14 million barrels of additional recoverable oil before the fields’ license periods expire.
To facilitate smooth operations, both companies engaged extensively with over 1,000 stakeholders in coastal communities, including fishers and local leaders. These consultations aimed to ensure transparency, address concerns about marine impacts, and promote community cooperation.
The government views the drilling resumption as a positive signal of continued investor trust in its regulatory framework and the geological potential of the country’s offshore basins. The Energy Ministry has pledged strict oversight to ensure safety, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance throughout the campaigns.
