Energy Chamber Ghana has welcomed the Nya Gyidie-1X discovery, describing it as a significant development that could expand the range of geological targets available to explorers in Ghana’s offshore petroleum basins.
The exploration well, located in the Deepwater Cape Three Points Block, was drilled about 148 kilometres offshore Ghana in water depths of 2,289 metres.
According to the Chamber, the well encountered hydrocarbons in carbonate formations between 3,364 metres and 3,499 metres measured depth.
First successful carbonate test
The Chamber said the geological significance of the discovery goes beyond the hydrocarbons encountered in the well.
Nya Gyidie-1X represents Ghana’s first successful test of a carbonate reservoir system, opening up a geological play that differs from the sandstone reservoirs associated with the country’s existing producing fields.
That development, the Chamber said, could widen the scope of future exploration in the Tano Basin and other offshore areas that have received less attention.
“The Nya Gyidie-1X discovery is an encouraging development for Ghana and a timely reminder that our offshore petroleum basins still hold significant exploration potential,” Executive Chairman of Energy Chamber Ghana, Joshua Batsa Narh, said.
Chamber urges further appraisal
The Deepwater Cape Three Points Block covers about 1,454 square kilometres and is operated by Planet One Oil & Gas Limited in partnership with GOIL Upstream Limited and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.
The Chamber commended the partners and technical teams behind the exploration campaign, saying the outcome underlines the value of sustained investment and geological risk-taking.
It cautioned, however, that a hydrocarbon discovery should not automatically be treated as a commercial find.
Further appraisal and reservoir studies will be required to establish the size of the accumulation, recoverable volumes, production characteristics and commercial viability.
The Chamber said those steps would determine whether the discovery can eventually move into development and production.
It also called on government and industry players to use the discovery to build fresh momentum in Ghana’s upstream sector, attract exploration capital and improve the utilisation of available acreage.
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