Reports have shown that based on current fields and development plans, Ghana could become the fourth biggest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020.

According to Ecobank research report, once two new fields begin operation, the West African country’s total output will increase to more than 240,000 barrels per day.

The report revealed that Ghana is currently in the ninth position, producing about 103, 000 bpd after Angola and Nigeria which produce 1.867 million bpd and 1.754 million bpd respectively.

Current fields such as the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) which began operation in August, are anticipated to boost output to around 80,000 bpd while the Jubilee field, which came on stream in 2010, could improve production back to around 115,000 bpd once all technical problems with its production vessel have been solved.

The Sankofa field on the other hand is expected to come online by August 2017 and would produce around 30,000 bpd, Energy-pedia reports.

The Jubilee field is operated by Tullow, while the Sankofa field is operated by Eni. U.S. independent Kosmos Energy plans to join the Mahogany-Teak-Akasa (MTA) field to the Jubilee oil production ship.

Gas from the TEN, Sankofa and MTA fields could eradicate Ghana’s reliance on gas import from Nigeria through the West African Gas Pipeline Company.

“Based on existing fields and field development plans Ghana crude oil output is estimated to be over 240,000 bpd by 2019. This could potentially make Ghana the fourth largest oil producer in Sub Saharan Africa by 2020,” the report said.

Anita Fatunji