Saltpond Offshore Producing Company Limited (SOPCL) a joint venture between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Houston based Lushann has flown Ghana’s first oil production in 16 years, from Saltpond field offshore. An exclusive story in the international oil and gas newspaper, UPSTREAM and monitored by “The Daily Dispatch” revealed that the first drops of oil flowed at around 2pm on Friday, May 31, 2002.

Original estimates had conservatively estimated a 1000 barrels a day but the Ghanaian Chairman of SOPCL, Kwesi Sintim Aboagye told UPSTREAM, “we initially estimated a minimum of 1,000 barrels a day. After only the second perforation, oil was being forced up and that is a very good indication that the reservoir will respond and perform.” SOPCL is owned 60% by Lushann and 40% by the GNPC.

UPSTEAM reported that on May 31, Well 6, hitherto considered the well with the least potential on the “Mr. Louie” Jack up production platform was tentatively opened after completing only three of the four planned perforations. By 6am the next day, 565 barrels had been pumped into the waiting floating Storage Offloading vessel called Zanita, located 11 kilometres off Saltpond.

Sintim Aboagye told UPSTREAM that his company will have to start concluding crude sales deals for the crude building up in the FSO Zanita. It may require lifting every two to three weeks if output stabilises at 2,000 barrels a day. The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is reported to have issued a letter of intent without agreeing on the price but had agreed to store small parcels for a price. Talks are also ongoing to explore the possibility of the Volta River Authority taking supplies for the Takoradi Thermal plant.