The Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Petroleum Commission, Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, has declared that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) will kick off drilling in the Voltain Basin petroleum block by the early part of 2026.
The Voltain Basin represents a crucial onshore petroleum exploration region in Ghana, encompassing roughly 40% of the nation’s land area.
This asymmetrical inland basin extends into Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso, with an estimated span of about 100,000 square kilometres.
GNPC is diligently investigating the hydrocarbon potential of the basin through advanced geophysical, geological, and geochemical methodologies.
The basin is thought to contain significant petroleum reserves, with optimistic prospects for both crude oil and natural gas finds.
During a recent official visit to the Western Region, Victoria Emefa reassured stakeholders that the advancement of the Voltain Basin petroleum block will be instrumental in enhancing Ghana’s energy independence and promoting economic development.
She highlighted the necessity for Ghanaian enterprises to adequately equip themselves to capitalise on the numerous opportunities that will emerge from this ambitious initiative.
“So we’re envisaging, in the short to medium term, a lot more business and a much more attractive investment regime. We have some of the big players coming back; next month is Africa Week, and they are all interested in ultra-deep water, where they have the capacity to do that and also have the balance sheet,” she stated.
The Founder and Board Chairman of Zeal Environmental Technologies, Kwaku Ennin, voiced his gratitude for the Commission’s outreach efforts.
He urged the government to improve the allure of Ghana’s oil and gas sector to prospective investors, thereby ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for the industry.
