(Ecofin Agency) - Togo and Ghana could instigate a legal battle over oil exploration in the East Keta ultra-deep block. This situation worries the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), one of Ghana’s oil regulatory authorities, which published July 16 its 2017 annual report.

Let’s recall that a few months ago, the Ghanaian government awarded the operation of an oil block in East keta to a joint venture made of Blue Star Exploration, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Heritage E & P. But Togolese authorities are disputing the move, claiming that the maritime boundary covering the awarded block is a Togolese territory.

PIAC said explorers are being intimidated by the Togolese coastguards anytime they attempt to explore close to the border. “PIAC has noted adverse claims being made by the Togolese authorities concerning the maritime boundary with Ghana in respect to the East Keta Ultra Deep Block and urges government to initiate urgent steps to delineate Ghana's maritime border with Togo,” the report explained.

Let’s note that Ghana just emerged last September from an 8-year maritime dispute with Côte d'Ivoire over a vast oil zone located in the maritime boundary between the two countries. Finally, the verdict handed down by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea was in favor of Ghana. Drilling is planned to begin before the end of this year.

Olivier de Souza