Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector is receiving a major boost with the resumption of new drilling operations by two of the country’s leading offshore producers—Tullow Ghana and Eni Ghana—in the Jubilee and Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) fields, respectively.
The move, announced by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition marks a renewed phase of investment, confidence, and technical activity in Ghana’s oil and gas industry.
The Ministry said the Petroleum Commission has given its green light to the respective drilling programmes of the two companies, setting the stage for an aggressive production push that could significantly enhance national output in the coming quarters. Industry watchers have hailed the announcement as a sign that Ghana’s upstream sector is regaining momentum after a period of relative stagnation.
Tullow begins New Drilling in Jubilee South-East According to the Ministry’s statement, Tullow Ghana has contracted the Noble Venturer, a state-of-the-art drillship, to commence the drilling of the JBE-P well in the Jubilee South-East area.
Operations are expected to span approximately 60 days, with initial oil production projected to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
Early production is anticipated at 2,800 barrels of oil per day (bopd), ramping up to 4,500 bopd by 2026 as the well stabilises and further development efforts come online.
“The deployment of the Noble Venturer is a critical milestone in Tullow’s Jubilee South-East campaign,” the Ministry stated.
“It not only signals investor confidence in Ghana’s upstream environment but also advances the country’s broader energy security objectives.”
Following this operation, the Noble Venturer will undergo a Special Periodic Survey in the fourth quarter of 2025 before being redeployed to continue Tullow’s comprehensive two-year drilling programme in the region.
New Well in OCTP
Meanwhile, Eni Ghana has kicked off drilling of the SNKE-1X ST2 well, a side-track to the existing SNKE-1X ST well in the Sankofa field, located within the OCTP block.
The drilling targets increased production from the Cenomanian reservoir—one of the more prolific zones within the field.
For this task, Eni has engaged the Saipem Deep Value Driller, a seventh-generation drillship equipped with advanced deepwater capabilities.
The rig arrived in Ghana on May 28, 2025, from Côte d’Ivoire and has already begun drilling operations.
The entire campaign is expected to last four to six months, with the rig operating continuously to unlock additional hydrocarbon volumes.
“The selection of a high-specification drillship like the Deep Value Driller highlights Eni’s technical commitment to enhancing production from the OCTP field,” the Ministry said.
Production boost and reserves recovery expected
The Ministry of Energy estimates that the new drilling campaigns by Tullow and Eni could significantly boost cumulative oil recovery from Ghana’s key offshore fields.
Projections suggest that these efforts could unlock an additional 7.9 million stock tank barrels (MMstb) from the Jubilee Field and another 6.2 MMstb from the OCTP Field.
“These volumes represent a significant addition to Ghana’s medium-term production outlook and reinforce the importance of strategic investment in brownfield recovery and infill drilling,” the statement added.
The Ministry also noted that the Petroleum Commission continues to work closely with both companies to ensure that the highest standards of environmental stewardship and operational safety are upheld throughout the drilling campaigns.
In preparation for the drilling activities, Tullow and Eni have rolled out a series of community outreach and stakeholder engagement programmes along Ghana’s western coastline.
These initiatives, conducted in collaboration with government agencies and local authorities, are intended to build trust and promote open lines of communication between the operators and coastal communities.
More than 1,000 fishermen and local leaders have participated in these sessions, which aim to address concerns around marine activity, fishing rights, and safety protocols during drilling.
“Community engagement remains a cornerstone of sustainable energy development,” the Ministry said.
“The proactive outreach by Tullow and Eni reflects their commitment to inclusive growth and social responsibility.”
Govt hails return of upstream momentum
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition underscored that the renewed drilling activity is a reflection of Ghana’s stable investment climate, sound regulatory oversight, and substantial geological potential.
Officials expressed optimism that the dual campaigns would reaffirm Ghana’s position as a serious offshore player on the African continent.
“Despite the ongoing global shift towards a broader energy transition, the government remains committed to maximising the benefits of its petroleum resources while preparing for a low-carbon future,” the Ministry noted.
By signalling stability and opportunity in Ghana’s upstream landscape, the resumption of drilling by Tullow and Eni is being viewed as a powerful message to the international oil and gas community: Ghana remains open for business, competitive on the global stage, and committed to balancing energy development with sustainability.
Outlook
As the rigs begin to turn again in Ghanaian waters, the implications for local content development, government revenue, and energy security are profound.
While the long-term energy future will increasingly include renewables and decarbonisation, the short- to medium-term gains from efficient oil extraction remain central to Ghana’s economic strategy.
If the new drilling operations deliver as expected, the country could see a welcome rebound in oil production figures and a new wave of investments from existing and potential upstream players.
