Headway in oil and gas exploration in Ghana

30-04-2010
Narration: Construction of pipelines to convey gas to the proposed gas processing plant at Bonyere in the Western Region for the production of ethanol, propane and fertilizer has begun. In line with this, gas would be piped to an existing power plant at Aboadze to generate electricity for the country. The Deputy Minister of Energy, Emmanuel Arma Kofi Buah disclosed this at the just ended Regional Forum on Local Content and Participation in Petroleum Activities held at Bolgatanga. Correspondent Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

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Mr Boah whose speech was read on his behalf, said Ghana is on course to pump the first oil from the jubilee field in the last quarter of this year under the phase 1 project .The project, he said, is expected to produce 120,000 barrels of oil and 120,000 mmscfd of gas daily, adding that the phase two project which is to kick start in the year 2013, will have the capacity of producing 240,000 barrels of oil and 240,000 mmscfd of gas on daily basis. Mr Buah noted that the major use of the gas will be for power generation and a secondary market for industrial usage. He said cabinet approval on the policy framework for local content and participation in petroleum activities is a clear indication of government’s commitment in ensuring that all Ghanaians obtain maximum benefit from the oil find. The policy which is to be developed into legislation is geared towards poverty reduction in the country. Mr Buah pointed out that revenue generated from the oil exploration would help in developing infrastructure and other basic amenities especially in most deprived communities across the country. The Upper East Regional Minster, Mark Woyongo, who chaired the function, said the forum which is the second of its kind in the region, is in pursuance of government’s better agenda in the promotion of good governance through average citizen participation at the grassroot level. It is also in keeping faith with the principles of transparency and accountability as promised by the government. Mr. Woyongo entreated participants to put aside all socio-religious and political standings on the oil find but rather look at possible ways of managing and utilizing the oil in a sustainable manner. A Senior Programs officer, EPA, Mr Kojo Agbenor –Efunam, assured the public of adequate plans to ensure that residents of the oil producing areas and companies carrying out exploratory and productive activities are not exposed to serious security risk as experienced in most oil producing countries. He said his outfit has also put in place prudent measures to minimize the effect of possible discharges and spillages of oil and gas at the field. A team of experts from GNPC, EPA and COTVET later answered questions from participants during an open interaction. Some participants at the forum called on the media to play an informative role in educating the public on the benefits to be derived from the oil and gas exploration.