Eni Ghana and its partner, Vitol Upstream Tano Ltd, have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Government of Ghana covering two offshore petroleum blocks in the Tano Basin, marking a major step towards the finalisation of Petroleum Agreements.
The agreements concern the GH WB 3 and GH WB 8 offshore blocks, which collectively cover approximately 2,100 square kilometres in Ghana’s offshore petroleum area. The blocks are located in water depths ranging from about 750 metres to 2,800 metres.
According to Eni, the MoUs were signed in Accra on September 10, 2026, by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, on behalf of the Government of Ghana. Officials and executives from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) were present to witness the signing.
New Step for Ghana’s Offshore Oil Exploration
The signing represents further progress towards opening the two offshore blocks for oil and gas exploration and could potentially increase petroleum activity in the Tano Basin.
The Tano Basin is one of Ghana’s established offshore hydrocarbon regions and has attracted significant interest from international energy companies because of its potential for additional petroleum discoveries.
Eni said the two blocks are aligned with its near-field and Infrastructure-Led Exploration (ILX) strategy. The approach focuses on using existing oil and gas infrastructure and the proximity of producing fields to explore new prospective resources.
According to the Italian energy company, leveraging existing infrastructure could help reduce development requirements and support the efficient exploration of potential petroleum resources in the two offshore areas.
Petroleum Agreements Expected to Follow
The latest MoUs follow a Memorandum of Intent signed by the parties in 2025 and represent another stage in the process towards concluding formal Petroleum Agreements for GH WB 3 and GH WB 8.
However, the signing of the MoUs does not constitute the final Petroleum Agreements. The Government of Ghana, Eni and Vitol are expected to undertake the necessary processes before the agreements are formally concluded.
Eni said its continued interest in Ghana’s offshore petroleum industry reflects its long-term commitment to investment and exploration in the country’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The company also emphasised that any development of Ghana’s petroleum resources will be carried out in accordance with the country’s laws, regulations and petroleum industry framework.
Eni’s Growing Presence in Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry
Eni has operated in Ghana since 2009 and currently records equity production of approximately 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to the company.
Eni is also the operator of Ghana’s Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) project, one of the country’s major offshore oil and gas developments.
The company holds a 44.4% interest in the OCTP project, while Vitol owns 35.6% and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation holds the remaining 20% stake.
The OCTP development has provided Eni and its partners with an established operational presence and infrastructure base within Ghana’s offshore petroleum industry.
Eni Highlights Development Initiatives in Ghana
Beyond its oil and gas operations, Eni said its joint venture activities in Ghana include initiatives aimed at supporting skills development, economic diversification, water and sanitation access, and energy access.
The company said these programmes form part of its broader contribution to Ghana’s socio-economic development alongside its upstream petroleum investments.
Ghana Seeks More Investment in Upstream Petroleum Sector
The latest MoUs come at a time when Ghana is seeking to sustain investment in its upstream petroleum industry and attract new exploration activities to prospective offshore areas.
The development of GH WB 3 and GH WB 8 could therefore provide additional opportunities for offshore oil exploration and potentially contribute to Ghana’s future petroleum production and energy security.
The Government’s engagement with Eni and Vitol also highlights Ghana’s continued efforts to attract international investment and unlock the potential of its offshore oil and gas resources while ensuring compliance with the country’s petroleum laws and regulatory requirements.
Keywords: Eni Ghana, Vitol Ghana, Ghana oil and gas, Tano Basin, offshore oil exploration, Ghana petroleum sector, upstream petroleum industry, Ghana offshore petroleum blocks, GH WB 3, GH WB 8, Petroleum Agreements, Ghana energy sector, OCTP project, GNPC, Ghana oil exploration.
Source: newsthemegh.com