Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry is set for a major milestone, as the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) prepares to commence drilling in the Voltain Basin by the first quarter of 2026.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, disclosed this during a working visit to Zeal Environmental Technologies at its Nyankrom plant in the Shama District of the Western Region.
She said the move represents a strategic effort to expand Ghana’s petroleum resource base and strengthen the country’s attractiveness to global oil and gas investors.
“The Commission is repositioning Ghana as a competitive investment hub for supermajors in the oil and gas industry while supporting GNPC to begin work on the Voltain Basin,” Madam Hardcastle explained.
The Voltain Basin, believed to hold significant hydrocarbon potential, has long been on Ghana’s exploration radar. The planned drilling marks the boldest step yet in unlocking its prospects.
Hardcastle urged indigenous service providers to gear up for the opportunities ahead, stressing that local participation must be maximized if Ghana is to fully benefit from the new drilling campaign.
“We expect our local companies to be adequately prepared to play a bigger role in the petroleum value chain,” she emphasized.
Her visit to Zeal Environmental Technologies, a pioneer in petroleum waste management was part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the Commission and local service providers. Commending Zeal’s role in offshore waste treatment, she noted that companies like Zeal will be critical in ensuring environmental safety and efficiency during the Voltain Basin operations.
Zeal’s Founder and Board Chairman, Kwaku Ennin, welcomed the engagement and called for stronger policies to make Ghana’s oil and gas sector more attractive.
”Government must create a more competitive investment climate if we want to retain and attract investors,” he remarked.
Established under Act 821 of 2011, the Petroleum Commission regulates and manages the utilization of petroleum resources in Ghana. Officials say the Voltain drilling project will not only open new frontiers but also provide a platform for local companies to build capacity and secure a stronger foothold in the petroleum value chain.
