The integrated project bringing energy to Ghana

Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) is an integrated deepwater project in Ghana split into two stages: the development of first oil, then gas deposits. The operator is Eni Ghana Exploration and Production (44.44 per cent), along with its partners Vitol Ghana Upstream (35.56 per cent) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (20 per cent). OCTP is around 60km (37 miles) from Ghana’s western coast and boasts approximately 40bn m³ of non-associated gas reserves and 500m barrels of oil. The project is a good example of step-by-step development, combining the development of oil and gas fields in two stages.

The Sankofa and Gye Nyame fields are accessed through wells and systems positioned on the seabed, connected through special pipes to the FPSO (floating production, storage and offloading) ship. Non-associated gas will be treated and transported through a 63km-long dedicated gas pipe to the Sanzule onshore plant. There it will be compressed and distributed to the Ghanaian domestic grid. The oil, meanwhile, is treated on the FPSO, then shipped via oil tanker for sale on the international market. The OCTP development project is concrete evidence of our dual-flag approach: 49 per cent of the contracts were awarded to local companies; roughly 2,300 Ghanaians are currently employed on the various projects and in operational work; and every year $1.3m is invested in scholarships and training.

Production ahead of schedule

Eni launched production of the Integrated Oil and Gas Development Project in the OCTP block in May 2017, just two-and-a-half years after the project received the green light – a record time-to-market, three months ahead of the development plan. The development comprises the Sankofa Main, Sankofa East and Gye-Nyame fields, which in total have about 770m barrels of oil equivalent in place, comprising 500m barrels of oil and 270m barrels of oil equivalent of non-associated gas (about 40bn m³). The project also includes the development of gas fields, exclusively for the domestic market.

Gas production planned for 2018

Production of 31,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of gas is scheduled to start at OCTP in 2018. This will allow the supply of domestic gas to power stations in Ghana for at least 15 years, thereby satisfying the demand for energy in both urban and rural environments and in the areas where it is most needed. This is the only deepwater non-associated gas development project dedicated in its entirety to the domestic market in Sub-Saharan Africa. Developing the Sankofa and Gye Nyame fields is a stepping stone to improving the balance of payments in Ghana and stimulating economic growth. The World Bank considers the OCTP project an “absolute priority”, since long-term production of non-associated gas will support the development of Ghana’s energy industry, thereby accelerating its industrial development.

Benefits of the OCTP project

Developing Ghana’s national-gas resources is a high priority because it will improve access to energy in the country, increase revenue from the sector – meaning subsidies can be reduced, and create additional income for the government. The OCTP project means natural gas is available locally and affordably, ensuring a cleaner and more stable and secure energy supply.