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With Ghana strategically positioning itself to maximise offshore resource extraction, Tano Basin off the coast of West Africa remains its biggest asset, drawing substantial foreign direct investment prospects

The prolific petroleum province houses vast deepwater discoveries holding sustainable economic growth potential to last generations. This is why in line with national regulatory standards, the Government of Ghana is actively collaborating with international energy majors to sustain long-term oil production, boost domestic gas supplies, and optimise existing marine infrastructure. 

Finalisation of key memoranda of understanding

The Government of Ghana has finalised two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Eni Ghana and Vitol Upstream Tano Ltd on offshore Blocks GH WB 3 and GH WB 8 in the Tano Basin. 

On behalf of the Government, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition of the Republic of Ghana, John Jinapor, signed the MoU's in the presence of executives from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.

Exploration strategy and deepwater scope

Eni has invested in these Blocks in line with its near-field and infrastructure-led exploration (ILX) strategy to extract maximum potential by means of infrastructure repurposing or utilising prospects from existing ones.

While the two Blocks span across an area of approximately 2,100 sq km in water depths ranging from 750-2,800 m, Eni will be aiming output that will add to these Blocks' potential by connecting them to established producing areas.

Eni's commitment to Ghana's upstream framework

These MoUs are follow-ups on the Memorandum of Intent that was signed last year, sealing the major's long-term commitment to Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector. The major will be operating in the region, not only in terms of business intent but also with an aim to contribute to uplifting Ghana's petroleum resources in accordance with the country's legal and regulatory framework.

Eni's presence in Ghana dates back to 2009, with offshore hydrocarbon exploration and production activities now generating 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The company is the operator of the OCTP project with a 44.4% share in partnership with Vitol (35.6) and GNPC (20%). The joint venture’s portfolio of projects also includes initiatives in the areas of training, economic diversification, access to water and sanitation and access to energy. 

Energy data and intelligence provider, TGS, has partnered with the National Petroleum Agency of Sao Tome and Príncipe (ANP-STP) to commence the Sao Tome and Príncipe 2D PSDM Reprocessing project

TGS will be leveraging four of its originally acquired input surveys on the region between 1999 and 2005 to reprocess about 14,651 km of 2D seismic data. While the last reprocessing was done in 2014, TGS will be upgrading it with a modern, comprehensive workflow, built on the combined strength of advanced pre-processing with velocity model building via Dynamic Matching elastic Full Waveform Inversion (E-DMFWI) and Kirchhoff Prestack Depth Migration (KPSDM). This will significantly refine imaging quality, ensuring maximum interpretation confidence.

Subsurface challenges and commercial objectives

Offshore Sao Tome and Príncipe is a challenging subsurface environment, characterised by volcanic activity, shallow channelisation and pervasive mass transport complexes that have made legacy seismic imaging and target depth positioning difficult. The 2D PSDM Reprocessing project will address these challenges specifically so that operators get clearer and geologically consistent insights into previously inaccessible subsurface areas.

TGS will take one complex setting at a time to generate sharp images so that clients have a solid technical basis to judge prospects and maturation for confident investment decision-making ahead of future licensing activity in the basin.

A priority subset of lines will be delivered within seven months, with final products for the full dataset expected in Q3 2027.

"This reprocessing project reflects our continued commitment to invest in the exploration potential of Sao Tome and Príncipe's offshore basin. By applying our most advanced imaging technology to this dataset, we are giving operators the subsurface clarity needed to confidently assess subsurface prospectivity, identify prospects and assign budget ready for future exploration success," said David Hajovsky, executive vice president-multi-client at TGS.

"This project is one of many that underscores TGS' broader commitment to supporting exploration success across the wider West African margin, where our sustained investment is helping operators de-risk plays and discover new opportunities ahead of acreage capture and support existing work commitments.”

This project is supported by industry funding. 

Particularly active in Africa

Previously, TGS had partnered with Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), to initiate a large-scale 2D seismic reimaging campaign, the EGY-2DRE2026 project. In Equatorial Guinea, the company created MegaSurvey, which is a large-scale multi-client seismic product for offshore exploration.

Oil and gas industry network Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG) has released a new industry specification for free-space optical communications, providing a common protocol for modems from different manufacturers

SWiGoptical Level 1 defines a simple protocol to satisfy interoperability and interchangeability requirements for subsea free-space optical communication devices. It supports applications including, but not limited to, process control, equipment and process monitoring, diagnostics and maintenance, and data exchange and harvesting across autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and other connected subsea systems.

Systems working together

SWiG, a joint industry project (JIP) managed by OTM Networks (part of R&D consultancy Sagentia Innovation), was established to enable vehicles, infrastructure and equipment from different suppliers to work together seamlessly. It has 27 members representing all parts of the supply chain, from major energy operators to subsea service providers and integrators to specialist instrumentation companies. Its objectives include:

• Promote interoperability between users of subsea wireless communications.
• Raise industry awareness and acceptance of subsea wireless communications.
• Identify areas (within subsea wireless communications) where open standards are needed, and develop them.
• Encourage the integration of subsea wireless communication technologies.
• Share best practices across the industry.
• Promote knowledge transfer across the industry.

Shreekant Mehta, senior vice president, Energy Sector at Sagentia Innovation, said SWiGoptical Level 1 represents an important step towards optical modem interoperability for subsea systems.

“SWiG’s goal is to create a common subsea ecosystem where devices from different manufacturers interact seamlessly,” Mehta explained. “As subsea communication technologies continue to mature, a collaborative approach to developing open standards supports cost management and provides a common framework, reducing deployment risk, simplifying integration and supporting scalability. Achieving interoperability across subsea operations is essential if the industry is to realise the full benefits of autonomy.”

The new specification builds on the earlier SWiGacoustic standard and is the latest in a family of complementary SWiG standards that also cover radio frequency (RF), inductive data and power and hybrid communications. SWiGoptical Level 1 is now available to the wider industry, with Level 2 and Level 3 specifications for higher-performance protocols already under development.

The giant Ntorya gas field development in Tanzania is anticipated to deliver vital domestic energy supplies, alleviate local energy poverty, and drive long-term industrial and economic growth for the country

Tanzanian government authorities have recognised the urgency of the project's advancement and to make sure there is no delay, an optimised timetable has been established in consultation with the joint venture partners involved in the field's development. Designed with an aim to achieve first gas production by December, the packed schedule includes critical well workovers, testing, and accelerated drilling. Fully funded field operations and pipeline infrastructure integration will prepare the site for production generation.

Aminex has reached an agreement on the sequencing and implementation of the Ntorya gas development following a meeting convened by the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy

Key stakeholders convene

Representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), ARA Petroleum Tanzania Limited (APT), the operator of the Ruvuma PSA, and Aminex's wholly owned subsidiary, Ndovu Resources Limited (Ndovu) were present at the meeting.

While the government did not approve the operator's proposal to extend and delay the project timetable, it did confirm a revised implementation schedule with all the parties involved. This schedule comprises workover of the Ntorya-1 well (NT-1) in October, the testing of the Ntorya-2 well (NT-2) in November and the drilling of a newly planned NT-Central well (NT-C) in December.

First gas from NT-1 and NT-2 is targeted for December. Drilling of the Chikumbi-1 well (CH-1) is to proceed after NT-C is drilled. Following the change of management at ARA Petroleum LLC and a technical reappraisal of the Ntorya project, APT had proposed bringing forward NT-C, previously planned as a development well for a later phase of field development, in place of CH-1, with the drilling of CH-1 deferred. The revised implementation schedule plans to drill the NT-C first, followed by the drilling of CH-1.

It was also confirmed at the meeting that the Ntorya to Madimba pipeline will be completed in time to receive first gas from the Ntorya field in December 2026.

APT confirmed to the parties that it had all necessary funds to carry out the revised programme for the development of the Ntorya field.

The parties agreed that APT should execute the planned activities in accordance with the revised implementation schedule and without unnecessary delay. The revised programme will now be progressed through the formal Joint Venture approval process in accordance with the Joint Operating Agreement.

Economic impact of the project

Charles Santos, executive chairman of Aminex, said, "I would like to thank Dr James Mataragio, Permanent Secretary for Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy, for convening the meeting last week and for the constructive approach taken by all parties. Our focus now is on working together to implement the agreed programme and deliver first gas without further delay.

"The revised implementation programme establishes clear near-term operational milestones, targets first gas for December 2026 and provides for the drilling of a newly planned well, NT-Central, while ensuring that the CH-1 well is also drilled.

"Together, these activities form just the beginning of the development of the giant Ntorya field which is expected to deliver large volumes of gas supplies to Tanzanians, helping alleviate energy poverty, boost industrial development and fuel Tanzania's economic growth."

In a move to accelerate its refining capabilities, Nigeria’s NNPC Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership to support the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries

Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd would cover operation and maintenance work of both facilities to deliver sustainable performance. There will be planned expansion and upgrades aiming cleaner and highly profitable product standards.

The MoU was signed in China by the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari; chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong, and chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.

A big development in harnessing Nigeria’s gas and downstream opportunities, Bayo Ojulari said that the MoU was the result of several months of concerted engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners. "All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC's refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success,” he said.

The partnership will play a key role in advancing Nigeria’s position as a gas-based industrial hub as the technical equity partners restart and expand NNPC's refineries.

The upcoming edition of ADIPEC 2026 will feature a strong contingent of African government leaders, underlining the continent's growing importance in shaping the future of global energy markets

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and hosted by ADNOC, ADIPEC 2026 will take place in Abu Dhabi from 2 to 5 November 2026, convening policymakers, industry executives, technology innovators and investors from around the world.

Senior ministers and energy leaders from across Africa are expected to participate in the event's Strategic Conference and high-level discussions, bringing perspectives from some of the world's fastest-growing energy markets. Their participation reflects increasing collaboration between African nations, the Middle East and international partners to expand energy access, attract investment and advance sustainable economic development.

Among the confirmed speakers are: Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas); Honourable James Opiyo Wandayi, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum; Honourable July Moyo, Zimbabwe's Minister of Energy and Power Development; and His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Libya's Minister of Oil and Gas.

Also participating are: His Excellency El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, Senegal's Minister of Energy and Petroleum; His Excellency Tiémoko Traoré, Mali's Minister of Energy and Water; and His Excellency Karim Badawi, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. They will be joined by Proscovia Nabbanja, Chief Executive Officer of Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), representing one of Africa's most closely watched emerging energy companies.

Africa is home to vast oil, gas and renewable energy resources and is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting rising global energy demand while supporting economic growth across the continent. Many countries are pursuing strategies that balance energy security, industrial development and emissions reduction, creating new opportunities for investment, technology deployment and cross-border collaboration.

At ADIPEC 2026, African leaders will engage with global decision-makers on topics including energy security, gas development, infrastructure investment, energy access, digitalisation and the pathways to a lower-carbon future. Their presence will reinforce ADIPEC's role as a leading platform for international dialogue and partnership, bringing together governments and industry to accelerate progress toward a more secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.

To register to attend ADIPEC 2026, visit https://www.adipec.com/