The GNPC Exploration and Production Limited Company (Explorco) is participating in a total of 12 license areas in Ghana (onshore and offshore). These projects are at various stages; Exploration (7), Appraisal (2), Development (1) and Production (2).
These license areas are within offshore Western basin and Eastern basins with water depths ranging between 50m – 4000m. Explorco is currently exploring in the onshore Voltaian basin.The total hydrocarbon resources from offshore blocks is estimated at about 7.1 billion barrels.
GNPC Explorco is participating in 7 blocks that are in varying stages in exploration phase; spanning from 3D seismic acquisition to near-drill stage. Explorco is operator of GH_VB_01 and GH_VB_04 and Joint operators in GH-WB-01 blocks.
Explorco is also participating in 2 blocks that are in appraisal phase with plans of drilling in 2026.
GNPC Explorco is part of the operatorship of other key projects. One of such is in development ready. These are old discoveries in shallow water in the Tano basin.
Explorco is also participating in 2 key producing projects - Jubilee and TEN fields. Jubilee fields has an average daily production of 65,000bopd, and TEN Fields has an average daily production of 16,000bopd.
The Offshore South-West Tano (OSWT) block, which covers an area of approximately 175km2 is situated within the multiple fan and channel systems of the proven Cretaceous play fairway with water depths ranging from 1,000 to 1,500m. The block is sandwiched between the Greater Jubilee and TEN fields which have recorded high rates of exploration success.
The OSWT Petroleum Agreement (PA) operates under a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) executed in February 2015, with GNPC Operating Services Company (GOSCO) appointed as the Operator of the block, but with no participating interest. The partnership of the block is composed of GNPC (12%), Heritage (39.6%), Blue Star (39.6%), and Explorco (8.8%).
There is extensive 3D seismic coverage over the block. The block’s prospective resources are estimated at about 4.1Bnbbl of oil. Edinam and Mansonia prospects are highly ranked to be drilled first in any campaign. The block presents strong economic potential and benefits from proximity to established facilities (Greater Jubilee and TEN fields).
The Deepwater Cape Three Points West (DWCTPW) block is located in the deepwater Tano Basin, south of the ENI OCTP Block and east of the Pecan Energies-operated DWCTP block (refer to Figure 1). The contract area spans approximately 969 km², with water depths ranging from 1,600 meters to about 2,500 meters. The block has 3D seismic coverage of 850 km² and is estimated to hold oil reserves of 976 million barrels (MMbbl).
The partnership for the block comprises Eco Atlantic Ghana Limited (50.42%) as Operator, A-Z Petroleum Products Ghana Limited (27.88%), GNPC (13%), Explorco (4.35%), and PetroGulf Ghana Limited (4.35%).
Two wells have been drilled on the block by previous operators: Ankobra-1 (2008) and Asaase Ye Duru-1 (2010). The next planned exploration wells are Dawadawa-1x and Tanga-1x, targeting prospective resources of approximately 800 million barrels of oil and associated untapped gas. These prospects are in proximity to the Pecan South-East discovery.
The block offers significant potential and is strategically positioned near existing infrastructure, enhancing its development prospects.
The East Keta (EK) block is in the Ghana Offshore Eastern basin, in water depths beyond 2000m. This deepwater block covers an area of 2,239km2 with good quality 2D seismic data coverage, with limited 3D seismic data coverage. OPCO was appointed as the Operator of the block. The partnership of the block is composed of Heritage (38.7%), Blue Star (38.7%), Explorco (11.6%) and GNPC (11%).
The 3D seismic data acquisition campaign, covering an area of 1,500 km², was suspended in 2016 due to a maritime border dispute. The license area is in Force Majeure due to a boundary dispute with Togo since December 2016. The Keta basin forms the western extension of the Dahomey Embayment and extends westwards from western Nigeria, where oil and gas discoveries have been made.
The Ghana Western Basin Block 01 (GH-WB-01) is in the prospective Tano basin offshore Ghana, with an area coverage of 1,900km2 in water depths up to 100m. The block is bordered on the west by the Expanded Shallow Water Tano (ESWT) block, the south by the West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP- B2) and Cape Three Points Block 4 (CTP Block 4) blocks, and the east by the Shallow Water CTP block.
The block was allocated to Explorco (15%) and Tristar Group (65%) as partners in the block. A Petroleum Agreement (PA) was negotiated and signed in October 2024 and is currently awaiting cabinet approval.
There is vintage 2D seismic data (acquired between 1984 and 2017) and less than 20% 3D seismic data coverage over the block. The partnership of the block seeks to acquire 3D seismic data over the block and perform G&G studies over the area, as part of the work programme in the Petroleum Agreement (PA) signed. Several leads and prospects have been identified on this block with prospective resources estimated at about 400 MMbbls.
The GH-VB-04 block covers an area of approximately 3,815 km² and is located in the southern portion of the Voltaian Basin. This block sits within parts of the Eastern and Ashanti regions in Ghana.
Explorco has applied for an exploration license over the acreage and is currently awaiting government approval. Explorco is offering significant farm-down to a qualified partner with the financial and technical capacity to execute the agreed work programme.
The minimum work commitment proposed under the current exploration agreement includes the completion of geological and geophysical (G&G) studies and the drilling of at least one exploration well within a three-year period.
The GH-VB-03 block covers approximately 7,017 km² and is operated by Bay Veritas (75%) and partnered by GNPC (15%), and Explorco (10%). The block features both structural and stratigraphic traps, with exploration potential in the Tonian–Cryogenian-aged Kwahu-Bombuaka sequence. Though unproven, alternating sandstone and mudstone intervals in this sequence are promising Neo-proterozoic plays. Initial studies estimate mid-case prospective hydrocarbon resources of about2 billion barrels.
Nearby hydrocarbon seepages indicate an active petroleum system. Located North-West of the GH_VB_04 block, the block may benefit from hydrocarbon migration from a deep-lying source kitchen through carrier beds and faults into large trap structures. Features such as rotated fault blocks, horsts, and grabens have been identified.
The GH-VB-01 Block covers an area of 5,480 km2 and is located in the northern part of the Voltaian basin. This block sits within parts of the Northern and Savannah regions in Ghana. Explorco holds 100% interest in the block with a strategic plan to farm down to a credible interested partner. With 1,558 line-kilometers (lkm) of 2D seismic data coverage, initial work shows the existence of key stratigraphic and structural traps which could possibly host huge hydrocarbon accumulations.
A total of 1,500 soil gas samples have been acquired for geochemical analysis over the basin. Areas in the block show high carbon 2+ concentrations. Wells close to the block drilled by the Soviet Union in the sixties (1960s) also encountered bitumen. In addition to this, recent seepages found in areas in the northern part of Ghana clearly indicate the presence of a working petroleum system in the basin. Analysis of fluid samples collected proves the presence of deep marine source rocks with type II kerogen.
The minimum commitment for the block is to conduct geophysical and geological studies to drill one well by the end of the three-year exploration period.
The Cape Three Points - Block 4 (CTP-Block 4) is situated North of the Sankofa-Gye Nyame (SGN) field. It covers an area of about 930 sq. km at water depths between 300m and 1500m. The Partnership of the block is made up of ENI Ghana Exploration & Production Limited (42.47%) as the Operator, Vitol Upstream Tano Limited (33.98%), Woodfields Upstream Limited (9.56%), GNPC (10.0%), and Explorco (4.0%).
The operatorship made its first discovery with the Akoma-1X exploration well in May 2019. In July 2021, the Eban-1X discovered oil in the Cenomanian. In August 2022, a third well was drilled (Aprokuma-1X) to target the Albian Aprokuma prospect with a secondary objective of drilling the Cenomanian. The Aprokuma-1X well encountered a 5m net pay of Gas in the Albian and a 5m net pay of Oil and Gas in the Cenomanian. In November 2024, Eban 2A was drilled to appraise the Eban-1X discovery, and results are currently being analyzed.
The block is highly prospective with estimated resources of about 2.2 billion barrels and 1.15 Tcf, with nearby facilities in the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block.
The West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP-2) is a 673 km² offshore block located approximately 65 km off the coast of Western Ghana. Strategically positioned, it is surrounded by prolific producing fields such as Sankofa to the east, Jubilee to the west, and a planned production facility to the south. Water depths across the block range from 100 to 1,700 m.
The license area was previously operated by Kosmos Energy, who drilled five wells, resulting in two discoveries: Odum (heavy oil) and Banda (light oil, sub-commercial).
The current joint venture, comprising Springfield Exploration & Production (82%) as operator, GNPC (11%), and Explorco (5%), successfully drilled the Afina-1X exploration well in 2019. This well encountered light oil in Cenomanian-age reservoirs. The prospective resources estimated in this block are about 380 MMbbls of oil and untapped gas, which are also located close to the OCTP infrastructure.
This discovery demonstrates strong upside potential, de-risked by adjacent commercial developments and proven regional infrastructure.
The Expanded Shallow Water Tano (ESWT) Block is situated in the Tano Basin, encompassing an area of approximately 1,500 km². Water depths range from the shoreline (0m) to around 200 meters offshore. The block hosts three known hydrocarbon discoveries: North Tano, South Tano, and West Tano. The estimated Stock Tank Oil Initially In Place (STOIIP) is about 500MMbbl and 282 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas, with recoverable volumes of about 65MMbbl and 86 bcf of gas.
The current partnership in the ESWT Block consists of Base Energy Ghana Limited (67.5%, Operator), Explorco (22.5%), and GNPC (10%).
Historical exploration activities in the block include the drilling of 17 wells between 1970 and 2007, as documented in the GNPC Open Data Portal (ODP).
The partnership is working on acquiring 3D seismic over the block, increasing exploration activities over the area and developing the existing discoveries.
GREATER JUBILEE FIELD
The Greater Jubilee Field is a unitized asset comprising the West Cape Three Points (WCTP) and Deep Water Tano (DWT) contract areas, with ratification dates of 22nd July 2004 and 10th March 2004, respectively. The asset was unitized on 13th July 2009 and is operated by Tullow Ghana Limited (38.98%) in partnership with Kosmos Energy (38.61%), GNPC (13.64%), Explorco (6.05%), and PetroSA (2.72%).
The Plan of Development (PoD) was approved on 13th July 2009, leading to first oil on 28th November 2010. Production of hydrocarbon fluids is via a subsea tie-back through rigid and flexible flowlines to a host facility, the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Kwame Nkrumah (KNK), which has a crude oil storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels and a peak production rate of 120,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). Processed gas from the hydrocarbon stream is partly used for power generation onboard the facility, a portion re-injected back into the reservoirs for pressure maintenance, and the rest evacuated via an export pipeline system to the Atuabo Gas processing facility onshore.
As of 30th June 2024, the field holds remaining reserves of 225 million barrels (MMbbls) of oil (from an initial 642 MMbbls) and 350 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas (from an initial 615 bcf). Current production averages 65,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in water depths of approximately 1,100 meters, with Explorco’s share representing 6.05% of the daily production.
TEN FIELDS
The TEN (Tweneboa, Enyenra, Ntomme) Fields, is governed by a Petroleum Agreement (PA) ratified on 10th March 2006. It is operated by Tullow Ghana Limited (54.84%) in partnership with Kosmos Energy (20.38%), GNPC (15.00%), Explorco (5.95%), and PetroSA (3.82%). The PoD was approved on 29th May 2013, with first oil achieved in August 2016.
Production is via a subsea tie-back of producer wells to the FPSO John Evans Atta Mills (JEAM), which has a storage capacity of 1.7MMbbls. Peak production reached 80,000 barrels of oil per day and 180 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMScf/d).
As of 30th June 2024, remaining reserves are estimated at 125 MMbbls of oil (down from an initial 245 MMbbls) and 329 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas (from an initial 353 bcf). The field currently produces approximately 16,000 bopd in water depths of about 1,500 meters, with Explorco’s share representing 5.95% of the daily production.
