Springfield Afina Field appraisal confirms oil flow

Ghanaian International Oil and Gas Company, Springfield Exploration and Production (E&P) Ltd, has successfully completed the appraisal of its deep offshore oil block, Afina Field, in the West Cape Three Points (WCTP).

In conjunction with its partners, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and GNPC EXPLORCO, the appraisal confirmed that the Afina oilfield indeed had gas condensate and an estimated oil flow that had the potential to hit 12,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).

The appraisal was conducted by a team of experts led by international drilling contractor, Northern Ocean Limited (NOL), using the world tested Deepsea Bollsta rig.

Appraisal involves activities carried out on oil wells after exploration to determine the accumulation of petroleum and estimate the quantity of recoverable petroleum to help determine the commercialisation of the discovery.

Milestone

The completion of the appraisal by Springfield E&P is a significant milestone in the country’s oil industry as it finalises the completion of the unitisation of Afina, which forms part of WCTP, with Springfield as the lead operator, and Sankofa Field, part of the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP), with ENI Ghana E&P and its partner, Vitol Upstream Ghana, as the lead operator.

The unitisation of the Afina and Sankofa oilfields is expected to significantly boost the country’s oil industry, setting the stage for the two operators to harness their expertise and resources, creating value for the country.

The appraisal by Springfield E&P followed a ruling by the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) that appraisal was an important element for unitisation under the laws of the country and, therefore, Springfield ought to do further work to achieve that purpose.

Appraisal process

Springfield E&P, in a statement, indicated that the company complied with internationally accepted standards in conducting the appraisal.

It said it involved drilling to a depth of 4,085 metres where it encountered light oil with a gross thickness of 65 metres, with 50 metres light net oil pay in good quality Cenomanian sandstones.

Again, it said, a secondary target drilled at the edge of the structure and contained in Turonian age sands encountered 10 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing sands consisting of gas/condensate.

“A mini-DST conducted on the Turonian sandstone confirmed the presence of gas/condensate and indicated an estimated flow rate potential of up to 12,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Pressure transient analysis from this reservoir showed the pressures consistent with the pressures collected in 2019,” the statement added.

Success story

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Springfield E&P, Kevin Okyere, expressed excitement about the appraisal result, describing it as a confirmation of the commercial viability of the Afina Oil Field.

“We are extremely happy with the results of the appraisal programme which has further confirmed our understanding of our geological, geophysical, reservoir models and demonstrated our operational capacity,” he said.

“Afina-1x is a vertical well; we are confident that a horizontal well or other well completion options that maximise reservoir exposure in the fields would deliver much higher production rates,” he added.

Mr Okyere said the new development was a testament to the commitment of Springfield E&P to help improve the country’s oil and gas industry.

“With the successful completion of this appraisal well-test activity, Springfield continues to make history as the first independent Ghanaian and African energy company to operate a deep-water asset and find hydrocarbons,” the CEO of Springfield E&P said.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh