GNPC Hails Nya Gyidie-1X Discovery as Ghana's First Carbonate Oil Find

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) says a new hydrocarbon find in the Deepwater Cape Three Points (DWCTP) Block could open a fresh frontier for petroleum exploration in Ghana, after the Nya Gyidie-1X well became the first in the country to confirm hydrocarbons in carbonate rock.

The discovery was announced by Planet One Oil & Gas, which operates the offshore block, as first reported by Citi News. GNPC is a partner in the block together with Planet One and GOIL Upstream Limited, a subsidiary of GOIL PLC.

According to GNPC, the result gives explorers a new geological target. Ghana's existing commercial oil and gas fields are associated with sandstone reservoirs, and the corporation described the carbonate find as an important step in the search for new resources to sustain future output.

The well lies about 148 kilometres off the Ghanaian coast and was drilled in 2,289 metres of water. Hydrocarbons were encountered in carbonate rock at measured depths of between 3,364 and 3,499 metres along the wellbore.

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GNPC Chief Executive Kwame Ntow Amoah said the importance of the well extended beyond what had been found in it.

"For the first time in Ghana, we have tested and confirmed hydrocarbons in a carbonate reservoir system, opening up a new geological play for further exploration," he said.

Mr Amoah noted that topping up reserves and maintaining production were national priorities, and said the immediate focus would be on assessing the find.

"The next task is to establish the scale and commercial potential of the discovery through rigorous technical evaluation," he said, adding that GNPC looked forward to working with Planet One and GOIL Upstream to build on the result.

The corporation stressed that, although hydrocarbons have been confirmed, more technical work is needed to determine the size, characteristics and commercial viability of the discovery. The findings of that evaluation will shape later decisions on exploration and appraisal.

GNPC said the result was encouraging for Ghana's upstream industry, where replacing reserves that have been produced, drawing new exploration investment and tackling falling production remain key concerns. It added that the find is expected to strengthen renewed interest and investment in exploration and production.

The corporation praised Planet One, GOIL Upstream and the technical teams involved in the drilling campaign. It said it would continue to work with its partners and the relevant regulators to evaluate the discovery and agree next steps, in line with its mandate to support the exploration, development and responsible management of Ghana's petroleum resources.

GNPC also indicated that several blocks in the wider acreage linked to the DWCTP area, including GH-WB-02, 03 and 04, remain available for licensing.