Ghana's National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) expects first oil from the offshore Sankofa field in H2 of 2017 and first gas output by early 2017, an official revealed.

The exploration and commercialization of the gas is currently being carried out by Eni and Vitol in partnership with GNPC.

The start of operation from the Sankofa offshore field which is supported by the World Bank will assist in boosting oil and gas output in Ghana, with total oil production expected to average more than 350,000 bpd by 2018 ending, Reuters reports.

Discovered in September 2009, the Sankofa field is located about 35km east of the Jubilee field.

Gas from this project will fuel about 40% of Ghana’s currently installed generation capacity. Upon commencement of operation, Ghana will be able to cut its oil imports by 12 million barrels per year.

Eni Ghana Exploration and Production is the operator with 47.22% interest while Vitol Upstream Ghana holds a 37.78% interest and GNPC holds a 15% interest, with an option to increase the interest by an extra 5%.

Anita Fatunji