Tullow Oil makes progress in Ghana oil and gas project

Tullow Oil is making progress with its oil and gas exploration project in Ghana.

The UK-based oil and gas company says the phase one of the Jubilee oil field Plan of Development has been finalized with the government of Ghana awaiting formal approval.

In a press release on its trading statement and operational update copied to ghanabusinessnews.com Wednesday July 8, 2009, Tullow Oil says development drilling, FPSO conversion and subsea facilities fabrication are  all on track for 2010 first oil. It added that Tweneboa-1 makes a significant discovery, extending the Jubilee play westwards.

According to the release, five potentially transformational exploration and appraisal wells have been scheduled for the second half of 2009; these are, Mahogany-4, Mahogany-Deep-2, Tweneboa-2 and Teak-1 in Ghana and South Grand Lahou in Côte d’Ivoire.
Farm-in offers received for French Guiana acreage. New 3D seismic surveys reveal large leads offshore Guyana and Liberia. A further two licences are being acquired elsewhere in Liberian Basin, it added.

Tullow Oil said the significant volumes of gas associated with the Jubilee oil field will be utilised both for export to the local market and improved oil recovery via gas injection, thereby avoiding flaring.

The oil company said the Jubilee field partners have recognised the strategic importance of local gas sales to the Ghanaian economy and have agreed to supply the first 200 bcf of gas to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) at zero cost to assist in funding the necessary gas infrastructure. Gas volumes above this will be subject to gas sales agreements and will utilise the new strategic infrastructure owned and installed by GNPC. While Jubilee field partners are working together with GNPC to ensure earliest possible first gas export, the FPSO will have the capability of injecting 100% of produced gas to avoid any delay to first oil.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi