President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new offshore hydrocarbon discovery by Planet One Oil and Gas Limited, in partnership with GOIL Upstream Limited and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
The discovery, made at the Nya Gyidie 9-1X well in the Deepwater Cape Three Points contract area, marks what the President described as an important milestone in Ghana’s petroleum exploration efforts.
Addressing the 2026 Local Content Conference and Exhibition organised by the Petroleum Commission in Takoradi, President Mahama said the discovery represents the country’s first successful test of a Cenomanian-Turonian Carbonate-Clay as a primary exploration target.
The well also targeted the Albian formation as a secondary objective.
Explaining the significance of the discovery, the President said the name ‘Nya Gyidie’, which means ‘have faith’, reflects the confidence demonstrated by the exploration partners in Ghana’s petroleum prospects.
He noted that by drilling the well, Planet One Oil and its partners had fulfilled an exploration commitment and demonstrated confidence in Ghana and the direction of its petroleum exploration agenda.
President Mahama congratulated the companies involved and urged the Petroleum Commission to intensify its monitoring of operators whose agreed work programmes are behind schedule.
He said the Commission must ensure that licence holders meet their contractual obligations to accelerate responsible exploration and development of the country’s petroleum resources.
The President further disclosed that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, through its subsidiary Exploco, is preparing to undertake its first exploration drilling in the Voltaian Basin, with operations expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027.
He said government remains committed to expanding exploration activities and replacing the reserves currently being produced to secure the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s petroleum industry.
President Mahama stressed that the ultimate objective must be to transform the country’s petroleum resources into employment opportunities, industrial growth and lasting improvements in the lives of Ghanaians.
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Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭