President John Dramani Mahama announced a significant offshore gas and condensate discovery in Ghana's Tano Basin on November 10, 2026. The discovery was made at the Nya Gyidie-1X well in the Deepwater Cape Three Points block. This breakthrough marks Ghana's first successful test of a Cenomanian-Turonian carbonate play. The discovery was made by Planet One Oil & Gas Limited, in partnership with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and GOIL Upstream Limited.
The announcement was made at the 2026 Petroleum Commission Local Content Conference and Exhibition in the Western Region of Ghana. President Mahama highlighted the importance of this milestone for Ghana, emphasizing that it paves the way for increased energy investment. He noted that the country's crude oil production has increased to more than 120,000 barrels per day. The President also mentioned that the Jubilee field partners have committed US$2 billion to new investments.
The new discovery is expected to support exploration, infrastructure, and increased production in Ghana's petroleum industry. President Mahama's government is working to attract more investment into the sector by engaging existing operators, resolving outstanding disputes, and introducing changes to make the sector more attractive to investors. The government has also submitted amendments to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act to improve incentives for companies willing to invest in the industry.
President Mahama stressed the need for local companies to play a bigger role in Ghana's petroleum industry. He emphasized that the goal is to turn the country's resources into jobs and opportunities for millions of Ghanaians, delivering a tangible improvement in their lives. The President's announcement comes as Ghana works to increase its oil and gas production and create opportunities for local businesses and workers.
Ghana currently ranks as the 8th largest oil producer in Africa, producing approximately 176,000 barrels per day (bbl/day) largely from major offshore fields. The new discovery in the Tano Basin is expected to contribute to the country's growing oil and gas production. The discovery also highlights Ghana's potential for further exploration and production in the region.
The successful test of the Cenomanian-Turonian carbonate play is a significant achievement for Ghana's petroleum industry. It demonstrates the country's potential for further exploration and production in the region. The discovery is also expected to attract more investment into the sector, creating new opportunities for local businesses and workers.
President Mahama's announcement has been well-received by industry stakeholders and the general public. The discovery is seen as a positive development for Ghana's economy and a step towards increasing the country's oil and gas production. The government is expected to continue working to attract more investment into the sector and create opportunities for local businesses and workers.
Key points
- The discovery was made at the Nya Gyidie-1X well in the Deepwater Cape Three Points block, marking Ghana's first successful test of a Cenomanian-Turonian carbonate play.
