5 minute read
GNPC
PROJECT DIRECTED BY Jamie Waite
WRITTEN BY Laura Watling
Mr O A Danquah CEO, GNPC
For Ghana’s Greater Good
Ghana National Petroleum Company, better known as GNPC, was born out of a mission to lead sustainable exploration, development, production and disposal of the petroleum resources in Ghana. Established in 1983, the petroleum company employs 600 people, all with a goal to supply efficient fuel to meet Ghana’s increasing energy needs. As well as being the country’s leading exploration, development and production company, it is also the national gas sector aggregator in Ghana. GNPC has strategic partnerships with international oil companies (IOCs) such as Tullow, ENI and Aker Energy.
Service vessel operating nearby an offshore oil drilling platform
GNPC
Ghana has four sedimentary basins in which GNPC and its partners currently have three oil fields in production phase: Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa GyeNyame. Between them, the fields deliver around 180,000 barrels of oil per day, not including associated gas or condensates.
Further to this, GNPC has its pioneering onshore exploration project- The Voltaian Basin Project.
The Neoproterozoic basin covers a staggering 40% of Ghana’s land mass. Having acquired over 2500-line km of 2D seismic data, newly-appointed CEO , OA Danquah, described the findings to Business Enquirer as “very encouraging”.
Further to the results, GNPC plans to focus its research in the North and South. After further seismic data is captured and preparatory work completed, the business plans to drill its first onshore well at the start of 2023.
Becoming a stand-alone operator
As explained by Mr Danquah, GNPC has a vision to become a “stand-alone operator, providing comprehensive end-to-end management of exploration to production and supply phases of an oil and gas asset”.
To achieve this, the business is engaging in several strategic initiatives, as well as The Voltaian Basin.
One of such initiatives is the development of a reserved offshore block - Block 1. GNPC are soon to embark on operations in this prospective shallow water block, inlucing 3D seismic acquisition. “We may seek to solicit a partner who can add both technical and financial value,” said Mr Danquah in his discussion with Business Enquirer.
In addition to Block-1, GNPC is currently undergoing work in another big offshore development - Deep Water Tano - Cape Three Points. This project, which is being operated by partner Aker Energy, is set to deliver its first oil in late 2024.
FPSO John Agyekum Kuffour
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GNPC
Stepping into the future
As part of GNPC’s strategy to become a standalone operator, it is constructing its own, ultra-modern, Research and Technology Centre in Ghana’s capital of Accra.
“Our Research and Technology Centre will integrate smart laboratories and virtual reality systems to support rig and reservoir simulations as well as scenario-based safety training,” explained Mr Danquah. The new facility will support the development of innovative research to increase efficiency of all GNPC’s core operations as well as securing its sustainable future.
GNPC’s Research and Technology Centre will also play a role in its shift to reducing its carbon footprint.
“We are mindful of the global energy transition from Big Oil to Big Energy,” said Mr Danquah.
It plans to also implement advanced robotics and drone systems to make inspection, detection, monitoring and maintenance more efficient. In addition, GNPC plans to invest in digitisation and automation to reduce exploitation risk and downtime, whilst improving reservoir estimates and drilling performance. As such, GNPC is working with its partners on initiatives, such as reducing gas flaring, as well as taking a look at its internal procedures. By 2023 GNPC plans to be paperless, as well as implement a tree planting campaign, both methods of offsetting its carbon output.
GNPC
The heart of Ghana
For GNPC and CEO Mr Danquah, people are crucial to its culture - both employees and those in the community.
“Nothing we do is more important than hiring people; and at the end of the day you bet on people, not strategies,” explained Mr Danquah, when he spoke with Business Enquirer.
Playing into GNPC’s strategy to become a standalone operator, it has developed its People Policy.
GNPC has carefully recruited 600 staff, all with the relevant skills and a passion to learn and grow.
Staff training is a priority for GNPC. Each year, staff have secondment opportunities with GNPC’s joint-venture partners. This gives employees the opportunity to increase their industry exposure, develop their soft skills and gain practical experience. As well as this, skill development sponsorship is also available to employees.
Mr Danquah also considers its latest decommissioning project as an opportunity for staff to develop their hands-on experience.
Starting in July 2022, GNPC have embarked on the decommissioning of the Mr. Louie Platform in the Saltpond field, the first project of its kind in Ghana. Commissioned in 1970, the platform is now at the end of its operational life and is deteriorating.
As reported in OGV Energy, Mr Danquah has said that “With several oil and gas platforms expected to be decommissioned in the future, GNPC personnel will gain additional hands-on technical capabilities by collaborating with other experienced industry experts during this exercise”.
GNPC proudly undertakes social programmes, under the GNPC Foundation. It strives to improve the quality of life of Ghanian citizens. “The oil may be explored by us, but the actual oil and gas molecules belong to every citizen,” shared Mr Danquah with Business Enquirer.
GNPC has recently restructured its Corporate Social Investments programme, focussing on three key areas: Education and Training, Economic Empowerment and Environment and Social Amenities.
Some key projects carried out by the Foundation include 5000 local and 500 overseas scholarships, construction of an ultra-modern sickle cell blood and treatment facility, and 86 sanitary facilities across Ghana, 22 of which are completed.
Between 2017 and 2020, the GNPC Foundation undertook 341 infrastructure projects. In the same period, it also awarded scholarships totalling in excess of £21 million.
GNPC’s CSI division is engaged in high-impact activities which aim to create lasting socio-economic effects. Working alongside government agencies to champion participation in the oil and gas sector by local companies, it aims to empower Ghananians to capitalise on opportunities within the energy value chain.
www.gnpcghana.com
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