Ghana oil production set for boost as Jubilee Wells expand

Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector is set for a fresh boost as Tullow Ghana Limited has outlined plans to bring four additional wells on stream in the coming months.

The development forms part of a broader drilling campaign at the Jubilee Field, where the operator has confirmed that six wells are scheduled to be operational in 2026, including five production wells and one water injector. Two of the wells are already producing, while three more are expected to begin operations between June and July, with the final injector due online in September.

The company, in its 2025 Full Year Results, said the phased rollout is aimed at sustaining output levels and countering natural declines in reservoir performance, as Ghana’s oil fields mature. The introduction of enhanced recovery techniques, including water injection and gas lift systems, is expected to improve pressure management and optimise long-term production.

Operational data from 2025 showed strong performance across facilities, with uptime averaging 97 per cent. Net production stood at about 32,500 barrels per day, while early figures for 2026 indicate an increase to approximately 35,400 barrels per day, underscoring what the company describes as a positive start to the year.

Despite the gains, last year’s operations were not without challenges. Higher-than-expected water levels in some Jubilee wells affected output, particularly on the eastern side of the field. However, the deployment of riser-based gas lift technology helped stabilise production, restoring efficiency by mid-2025.

Further improvements are anticipated, with plans to extend gas lift systems to the western flank of the field by 2027. The company also reported progress in reservoir management, with voidage replacement exceeding 100 per cent in the latter part of 2025, a key indicator of improved pressure support.

Production at the TEN fields also exceeded expectations, supported by optimisation measures, while infrastructure upgrades, including the replacement of the FPSO TEN flare tip, have significantly reduced routine gas flaring.

The Chief Executive Officer of Tullow Oil, Ian Perks, said the company was encouraged by early results from the current drilling campaign, describing Ghana’s assets as central to its growth strategy. He noted that the planned acquisition of the FPSO TEN would help cut operating costs and improve field economics.

The company’s long-term outlook has also been strengthened by the extension of petroleum agreements for the Jubilee and TEN fields to 2040, a move expected to unlock additional reserves and provide stability for future investments.