The ways in which recent oil discoveries are expected to shape Ghanaian economic development
Ghana could prove to be a key player in the move to step up offshore oil exploration around the Gulf of Guinea, according to Aidan Heavey, CEO of Tullow Oil.
Speaking to the publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG), ahead of OBG’s publication of The Report: Ghana 2011, Heavey said that Africa’s offshore deposits offered great potential for further exploration. Production began at Ghana’s Jubilee oilfield in December 2010 following a major oil discovery there three years earlier.
“Our success in Ghana has been fantastic and we are only at the early stages of discovery there,” Heavey said. “Africa’s offshore deposits are generally underexplored. When we discovered the Mahogany field it was the first time these stratigraphic layers were drilled in the deep water, and it has opened up a whole new frontier for exploration.”
The trickle-down effect
Heavey said that Ghana was well placed to ensure that the benefits of its oil find trickle down through the economy, with the government moving to introduce laws covering the industry and drawing on the experiences of other oil-producing countries.
“When the Ghana National Petroleum Company was set up, they brought in and trained a lot of people, so there is a good core of expertise there already,” he said. “Furthermore, the government has taken its time to ensure that the right legislation is in place.
At present, they are on top of everything the oil companies do to ensure that foreign and local players all get a piece of the pie.”
He added that Ghana’s local development and capacity should also receive a boost from the importance being given to environmental regulations compliance internationally.
“Ghana has been fortunate because it found oil at a fortuitous time,” he said. “These market conditions will benefit the entire Ghanaian economy.”
Opportunities for small firms
Heavey said that, while major players in the industry would inevitably take on costly deep-water exploration, there were plenty of opportunities for smaller firms to strengthen their foothold in the local economy by focusing on onshore activities and related areas of business.
“Small local businesses have greater flexibility in taking on lower risk projects in the supply chain,” he said.”By having local firms tapping into these investments, an entire local industry is allowed to build up.”
The Report: Ghana 2011 marks the culmination of more than six months of on-the-ground research by a team of analysts from OBG. It will provide information on opportunities for foreign direct investment into Ghana’s economy and will be a guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments. It will be available in print form or online.
