• Ghana has approved the commercial viability of the Akoma-1X gas well in the Cape Three Points offshore block
• The move comes as gas demand rises, with local production still falling short of national needs
• Akoma-1X could support future power generation, but its production timeline will span several years

Ghana has taken a key step toward developing its Cape Three Points gas project by approving the commercial viability of the Akoma-1X gas well, according to reports released on July 3. The decision is an early milestone in efforts to increase local gas supply, which remains too low to meet the country’s energy demand.

At the end of June, Ghana’s national oil company GNPC projected an increase in domestic gas supply from the Jubilee and Sankofa fields. Jubilee output was expected to rise from 100 to 140 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), while Sankofa volumes were set to grow from 245 to 270 MMscfd.

Gas currently powers close to 70% of Ghana’s electricity generation. This gives the Akoma-1X development strategic importance in the medium term. The commercial viability approval was issued alongside that of Eban-1X, an oil well located in the same block. These approvals pave the way for a formal development plan to be submitted for eventual exploitation.

Despite rising local gas output, Ghana still relies on external sources to meet demand. The West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which supplies Nigerian gas, remains a vital part of the country’s energy mix. Deliveries via WAGP have historically ranged from 11 to 84 MMscfd, depending on technical capacity and contractual agreements.

In the short term, Akoma-1X is not expected to impact gas supply significantly. The gas will only become available after regulatory and technical steps are completed. These include submitting and approving a development plan by the project partners—Eni, GNPC, Vitol, and Woodfields—before production can begin. Typically, several years pass between a commercial viability declaration and the start of actual production.