Energy Minister John Jinapor says the government will only move forward with a planned state involvement in Springfield Exploration and Production Limited’s (SEP) interest in the West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP2) if the asset passes a rigorous technical and financial review.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Jinaporexplained that the government has begun examining whether stepping into the block would help reverse Ghana’s declining oil output. Production from the country’s upstream sector has fallen sharply in recent years, prompting renewed attention on fields with untapped potential.
According to the minister, the state will not enter into any agreement unless a comprehensive assessment proves that the block is productive and offers clear value to Ghana.
He outlined the key questions guiding the process:
“Does the reservoir have real potential? Is it capable of delivering the volumes needed? And would the state truly benefit from holding a stake?” he said, emphasising that these technical considerations must be fully addressed before any decision is made.
He added that the commercial side of the review is equally important. The ministry must verify Springfield’s financial submissions and confirm whether the company’s reported expenditures can be independently validated.
“They’ve indicated certain investment levels. Our job is to check: have those investments actually been made? Can the figures be backed by evidence? These checks are absolutely essential,” he stated.
Mr. Jinapor said he supports the growth of Ghanaian participation in the petroleum industry but made it clear that this will not come at the expense of transparency or established procedures.
“I am committed to helping local companies thrive,” he said. “But I will not set aside the rules or compromise on fairness.”
He also welcomed input from civil society organisations, including ACEP, saying their scrutiny strengthens the overall process. The minister assured that once the technical and commercial evaluation of WCTP2 is completed, the findings will be shared openly with stakeholders for discussion.
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