Italian energy firm Eni and its partners have begun a new drilling operation in the Sankofa East 1X Side Track 2 well, located within the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block off the coast of Ghana.
The operation marks a renewed effort to sustain and boost the country’s oil production from the offshore asset.
According to a statement from its partners, the campaign is being executed using the Deep Value Driller, one of the world’s most advanced drillships in terms of technology, safety, and operational efficiency.
The rig had previously completed operations in Côte d’Ivoire before arriving in Ghanaian waters.
Eni Ghana, alongside Vitol Upstream Ghana Ltd and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), reported that it had already concluded a series of stakeholder engagement sessions along Ghana’s coastal communities ahead of the new drilling phase.
These engagements, which involved more than 800 local fishermen and traditional leaders, were aimed at ensuring community cooperation and clear communication around offshore activities.
The engagements were conducted in partnership with key regulatory and maritime institutions, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Petroleum Commission, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Navy, Fisheries Commission, and the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC).
“The goal is to maintain transparency and strengthen cooperation with impacted communities as operations progress,” a company official stated.
Eni operates the OCTP block with a 44.4% stake, while Vitol holds 35.6% and GNPC owns the remaining 20%.
The block remains one of the country’s most strategic offshore oil and gas assets, contributing significantly to Ghana’s energy supply.
The Sankofa field, part of the OCTP project, has been instrumental in delivering both oil and gas to the country since production began.
Eni currently produces about 34,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Ghana.
The commencement of drilling at Sankofa East 1X Side Track 2 is seen as part of the partners’ long term strategy to ensure energy security in Ghana.
