Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and GNPC Explorco have announced that the long‑running Voltaian Basin exploration programme is entering a critical phase with the drilling of the TUA‑1X exploratory well at Chegu in the Mion District. The move follows years of subsurface studies and seismic interpretation that have identified the site as a high‑potential drilling location.
Management teams from both companies visited the proposed well site to review progress and the immediate work programme. Physical preparations will start with the construction of a 13.5‑kilometre access road to Chegu and a rig pad at the well location, along with other site works required for the safe mobilisation and arrival of the drilling rig.
GNPC Explorco Managing Director Sam Opoku‑Arthur said the site preparation follows extensive subsurface work to identify and mature the drilling location. “The next step for us, after all the subsurface work that we did, is to start the construction of the access road and the rig pad and ensure the safe arrival of the rig,” he said.
Engineering design for the TUA‑1X well is complete, with the next phase covering the access road, preparation of the well location and development of the base camp, Joseph Lartey, the project manager at GNPC Explorco, explained.
GNPC Chief Executive Kwame Ntow Amoah described the move as the culmination of years of work and consistent with the Corporation’s historic role in taking on exploration risk to open new areas for investment. He added that a successful TUA‑1X well would provide significant new subsurface information that could be integrated with existing seismic data and further improve understanding of the Basin’s petroleum potential.
Deputy Chief Executive Hamis Ussif, responsible for Finance, Commercial and Administration, clarified that the drilling programme is not an indication that oil or gas has already been discovered. “You may hit your target, which is to find oil or gas, or you may not find oil or gas, but you still find data that will be useful for you going forward,” he said. He also confirmed that funding has been secured beyond the current year to support the drilling programme and related activities.
Before the site visit, the delegation met with Chegu Naa Andani Iddrisu to update him on the work ahead and reaffirm continued engagement with the host community. The Naa welcomed the progress and emphasized openness, mutual respect and continued collaboration as activities progress. The Member of Parliament for Mion, Misbahu Mahama Adams, and District Chief Executive Hon. Azindow Hamza Moabaly also reaffirmed their support for the programme.
The Chegu engagement followed an earlier meeting with the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya‑Naa Yakubu Abukari II, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, where traditional leadership was briefed on progress in the Basin and preparations for the next phase of exploration.
With years of seismic acquisition and geological studies behind the programme, the immediate focus now shifts to constructing the access road, rig pad, base camp and associated site‑preparation works ahead of mobilisation for exploratory drilling. Whatever the outcome of TUA‑1X, the information obtained will add to GNPC’s understanding of the Voltaian Basin and help determine the direction of subsequent exploration work.
