Kevin Okyere
SPRINGFIELD EXPLORATION and Production Limited (SEP) has announced the successful completion of the appraisal (well test) activity for the Afina-1x discovery in the West Cape Three Points (WCTP) Block 2 offshore Ghana.
The appraisal was done in collaboration with its partners, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and GNPC EXPLORCO.
The about $60 million appraisal, which was conducted by the Deepsea Bollsta Rig, is to confirm the production capacity and commercial viability of the well, after an international arbitration court ordered the appraisal for the unitisation of Springfield’s Afina discovery and ENI’s Sankofa field.
The well, Afina-1x, originally drilled in 2019, is located at a water depth of 1,030 metres and reached a total depth of 4,085 metres.
During the appraisal, the well encountered light oil with a gross thickness of 65 metres, including 50 metres of light net oil pay within high-quality Cenomanian sandstone.
A secondary target at the edge of the structure, consisting of Turonian age sands, also revealed 10 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing sands comprising gas and condensates.
The Drill Stem Test (DST) also conducted on the Cenomanian sandstone yielded impressive results, flowing at a maximum rate of 4,500 barrels of oil per day—confirming pre-test expectations for the reservoir’s productivity.
Additionally, pressure transient analysis indicated reservoir pressure depletion compared to levels recorded in 2019, suggesting ongoing production impacts.
A mini-DST was performed on the Turonian sandstone which confirmed the presence of gas and condensates, indicating an estimated flow rate potential of up to 12,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).
Also, pressure readings from this reservoir were consistent with those collected in 2019. The Deepsea Bollsta Rig, which conducted the appraisal activities, was released on November 22, 2024, and set sail from Ghanaian waters the following day.
This successful appraisal marks a significant milestone for Springfield as it continues to solidify its position in the energy sector.
Chief Executive Officer of Springfield, Kevin Okyere, expressed his satisfaction with the results, saying, “We are extremely happy with the outcomes of the appraisal programme, which have further confirmed our geological and reservoir models while demonstrating our operational capacity.”
He added that the vertical nature of Afina-1x gives Springfield confidence that horizontal drilling or other completion options could significantly enhance production rates, indicating that this success reaffirms commercial development potential for both the Cenomanian and Turonian reservoirs.
“With this achievement, Springfield continues to make history as the first independent Ghanaian and African energy company to operate a deep-water asset and successfully discover hydrocarbons,” he said.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke