GNPC Moves Voltarian Basin Exploration Towards TUA 1X Well at Chegu
Story By: Deborah Adorsu
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its upstream subsidiary, GNPC Explorco, have intensified preparations towards drilling the first exploratory well in the Voltaian Basin at Chegu in the Mion District of the Northern Region.
The proposed TUA 1X well marks a major milestone in years of subsurface studies, moving the exploration programme from seismic data acquisition and geological interpretation to actual drilling.
Management of GNPC and Explorco this week visited the proposed well site to review progress and outline the immediate work programme ahead of drilling.
Physical preparations will begin with the construction of a 13.5-kilometre access road to Chegu and a rig pad at the proposed well location, alongside other site works required for the safe mobilisation of the drilling rig.
GNPC Explorco Managing Director, Sam Opoku-Arthur, said the move to site preparation follows extensive technical work to identify and mature the drilling location.
“The next step for us, after all the subsurface work that we did, is to start the construction of the access road and the rig pad and ensure the safe arrival of the rig,” he said.
TUA 1X Well Project Manager at GNPC Explorco, Joseph Lartey, said engineering design is complete, with the next phase covering the access road, preparation of the well location, and development of a base camp.
The development follows four phases of 2D seismic acquisition and further technical studies across the Voltaian Basin undertaken by GNPC since 2018, covering nearly 500 communities.
GNPC Chief Executive, Kwame Ntow Amoah, who also briefed the Regent Overlord of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Abukari II, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, stressed that the planned well should not be interpreted as confirmation that oil or gas has been discovered.
“An exploratory well does not mean oil or gas has already been found. It is the next step in finding out whether hydrocarbons exist and whether any discovery can eventually be developed commercially,” he said, adding that results from the well will provide critical subsurface data to guide future exploration decisions.
The Voltaian Basin, covering about 103,600 square kilometres and nearly 40 per cent of Ghana’s landmass, is the country’s largest onshore sedimentary basin and has not seen an exploration well since 1974.
The push to drill TUA 1X is part of national efforts to reverse declining oil production and open a new onshore petroleum province.
The Regent Overlord welcomed the progress and reaffirmed Dagbon’s support for the programme, but called for continued consultation with traditional authorities and communities as activities intensify.