Springfield Hits Milestone in Ghana’s Oil Sector with Successful Afina-1X Well Appraisal

Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (SEP), under the leadership of its visionary CEO Kevin Okyere, has achieved a remarkable milestone in Ghana’s oil and gas sector, reaffirming its commitment to excellence and its determination to transform the energy landscape in the country.

On October 17, 2024, Springfield launched a critical appraisal of the Afina-1X well, a project that is not only pivotal for the company but also has the potential to redefine Ghana’s position in the global oil and gas industry.

The appraisal comes in the wake of a landmark tribunal ruling that directed the government to allow Springfield to proceed with the completion of the Afina-Sankofa unitisation. This ruling, which resolved a protracted dispute between the government, Eni Ghana Exploration, and Vitol Energy, solidifies Springfield’s legal position and demonstrates significant governmental support for local operators in the oil and gas sector.

The unitisation process, which integrates the Afina and Sankofa oil fields, is anticipated to significantly boost Ghana’s oil production, contributing to the country’s economic growth and energy security.

The arrival of the Deepsea Bollsta offshore rig, contracted from Norway’s Northern Ocean, signalled the commencement of a six-week appraisal program. This project represents a $200 million investment by Springfield to date, with the appraisal phase alone estimated at $65 million.

Kevin Okyere’s leadership has been instrumental in Springfield’s meteoric rise as a key player in Ghana’s oil and gas sector.

Speaking about this milestone, Okyere expressed immense pride in his team’s achievements, stating,

“We have a clear understanding of what being an upstream operator entails, and so we have hired the best possible team with over 60 years of collective experience working for all the super-majors and majors of the world. We work with all the best blue-chip companies to execute all technical works, studies, and drilling programs.”

This meticulous approach has enabled Springfield, a relatively small operator, to compete with major international players by leveraging agility, expertise, and strategic partnerships.

Okyere further emphasised the resilience and resourcefulness that have become hallmarks of Springfield’s operations.

“Our research has shown that during this busy time in the drilling industry, rigs would not be available for another year, and yet Springfield managed to find one, and drilling commenced. This has all happened within a space of three months. It is worthy of note that consistent with its track record and show of resilience, despite what challenges Springfield has faced, it always bounces back stronger and finds solutions for every situation it finds itself in.”

The results of the appraisal have been nothing short of remarkable. The Afina-1X well, first drilled in 2019 at a water depth of 1,030 meters, encountered light oil with a gross thickness of 65 meters and 50 meters of net oil pay in high-quality Cenomanian sandstones.

A secondary target in Turonian-age sands, located at the edge of the structure, revealed 10 meters of hydrocarbon-bearing sands consisting of gas and condensate.

The appraisal’s Drill Stem Test (DST) on the Cenomanian sandstone flowed at a maximum rate of 4,500 barrels of oil per day, confirming excellent reservoir productivity that exceeded pre-test expectations.

Pressure transient analysis conducted during the DST revealed reservoir pressure depletion compared to 2019 levels, indicating production activity within the reservoir. A mini-DST on the Turonian sandstone confirmed the presence of gas and condensate, with an estimated flow rate potential of up to 12,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).

Pressure analysis for this reservoir was consistent with data collected in 2019, further validating Springfield’s geological, geophysical, and reservoir models.

Reflecting on the appraisal results, Okyere shared his optimism about the project’s potential.

“We are extremely happy with the results of the appraisal program, which has further confirmed our understanding of our geological, geophysical, and reservoir models and demonstrated our operational capacity. 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. This provides an incredible platform for reaffirming commercial development options for the Cenomanian and Turonian reservoirs.”

The significance of Springfield’s work extends beyond technical accomplishments. At an earlier stakeholders’ engagement, Okyere highlighted the broader national impact of the project, stating,

“We’re going ahead to build this appraisal well to help stop the decline in Ghana’s production and boost output for our economy.”

His confidence in the project’s success was palpable as he remarked,

“With the properties that we’ve seen, it should be beyond a miracle for the oil not to flow.”

Springfield’s journey has not been without challenges, but its ability to navigate complex regulatory, operational, and market landscapes demonstrates its resilience and commitment to long-term success. The company’s efforts have been instrumental in positioning Ghana as a hub for innovation and excellence in the energy sector, with the Afina-1X appraisal serving as a cornerstone for future growth and development.

In Kevin Okyere’s own words,

“Being a smaller operator but working with the same expertise and diligence as the big operators, we can make decisions swiftly to benefit all our stakeholders, including the government and people of Ghana.”

This philosophy has been the driving force behind Springfield’s accomplishments, setting a precedent for what is possible when vision, determination, and expertise converge.

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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