Springfield Exploration and Production Limited has commenced the appraisal of the Afina-1x Well located in the West Cape Three Points (WCTP) Block 2 offshore, just three months after an International Tribunal instructed the government to allow Springfield to proceed with work necessary for completing the Afina-Sankofa unitisation.
The Deepsea Bollsta, a deep offshore rig contracted from the reputable Norwegian firm Northern Ocean, arrived at the site on Thursday, October 17, 2024, to begin operations as part of the company’s mandate.
This move reflects Springfield’s commitment to appraising the Afina-1x Well within three months of the tribunal ruling, showcasing the resilience of this Ghanaian energy company in deep water operations.
Springfield revealed it has invested over $60 million into the ongoing well test and appraisal, a remarkable achievement for an indigenous company.
On July 8, 2024, the Tribunal ruled on the dispute between the government and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production, as well as Vitol Energy, affirming the government’s authority under Ghanaian law to issue a unitisation directive.
However, additional work was necessary for the unitisation process to be completed, with a maximum timeframe of six months stipulated by the tribunal once the required work was underway.
In response, Springfield expressed its commitment to adhere to all judicial directives, both local and international.
Kevin Okyere, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Springfield, highlighted that the company’s determination and resilience underscore its dedication to inspire other Africans by demonstrating that “nothing is impossible if they set their minds to it.”
“We fully understand the complexities of being an upstream operator. Therefore, we have assembled a highly skilled team with over 60 years of collective experience, having worked with major global players, to execute our technical projects, studies, and drilling programs,” Okyere stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic regarding the Afina-1x appraisal.
He pointed out that securing a reliable rig is one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Fortunately, the Deepsea Bollsta, known for its strong track record, has been secured for this project.
“Our research indicated that during this peak drilling period, rigs would not be available for another year, yet Springfield managed to secure one, and drilling began promptly. This all transpired within just three months,” Okyere noted.
The CEO expressed optimism about the appraisal’s outcome, mentioning that preliminary data is very promising and that the team is eager to validate those findings.
