Dr. KK Sarpong, CEO of GNPC
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has begun oil exploration in Nkwanta North District of the Volta Region.
Currently, West Cape Three Points (offshore) and Atuabo in the Western Region, as well as the Keta Basin, have been targeted in the exploration of oil.
Although exploration has begun in the West Cape Three Points and Atuabo, the Keta Basin is yet to see commercial exploration, as more research has been ongoing in the area for the last three years.
Speaking at a town hall meeting at Sibi in the Nkwanta North District, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Jakayi Kwame Jackson, announced that the district might become an oil and gas enclave, as the GNPC is undertaking some preliminary research in the area.
The announcement, which was received with a lot of excitement, saw the chiefs and people applauding.
Nkwata North DCE Jakayi Kwame Jackson
Mr. Jakayi was hopeful the production of oil in large quantities might soon begin in the district and called on chiefs and people in the area to give their full support.
This is not the first time that the GNPC is in the district to conduct research into the viability of oil.
In 2013, a resident of Jumbo accidentally discovered some petroleum substance suspected to be crude oil while digging a well in his house.
However, further investigations by the GNPC revealed that the substance was diesel from an abandoned underground oil tank.
Despite the disappointment, the GNPC said the area was part of the Voltaian Basin, which is believed to have deposits of oil and gas.
The basin, which spans approximately 103,600 square kilometres, constitute almost 40 percent of Ghana’s land mass, covering most part of the Volta Region as well.
GNPC’s website indicates that the corporation has been pioneering exploration activities in the basin since 2015.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)