By Babajide Komolafe

Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (SEP) said it has completed  the appraisal well test activity on the Afina-1x discovery offshore Ghana.

This development, according to Kevin Okyere, CEO of Springfield, marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey as Africa’s leading independent energy operator in deepwater exploration.

The company explained that the Afina-1x well, situated within the West Cape Three Points (WCTP) Block 2, was drilled in 2019 to a depth of 4085 meters at a water depth of 1030 meters. The well revealed a gross light oil pay zone of 65 meters, including 50 meters of high-quality Cenomanian sandstone reservoirs. Additional drilling into the Turonian age sands uncovered 10 meters of gas/condensate-bearing layers, underscoring the block’s resource richness.

This achievement follows a landmark ruling on July 8, 2024, by an international tribunal overseeing a dispute involving the Government of Ghana, Eni Ghana Exploration and Production, and Vitol Energy. The tribunal validated the government’s unitisation directive, requiring further appraisals to finalise the process within six months. Springfield, committed to compliance and operational excellence, initiated the Afina-1x appraisal just three months post-ruling.

On October 17, 2024, Springfield commenced the appraisal program with the arrival of the Deepsea Bollsta drilling rig, contracted from Northern Ocean. Known for its efficiency and reliability, the rig began operations promptly, overcoming the global scarcity of drilling assets to execute its mandate. 

The appraisal campaign yielded outstanding results. The Cenomanian sandstone’s Drill Stem Test (DST) recorded a maximum oil flow rate of 4500 barrels per day, confirming robust reservoir productivity. Pressure transient analysis showed notable reservoir depletion since 2019, indicating active production potential. A mini-DST on the Turonian sandstone confirmed gas/condensate presence, with an estimated flow rate potential of up to 12,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). 

“This milestone underscores Springfield’s unwavering resolve to excel in the upstream sector,” said Kevin Okyere, CEO of Springfield. “Our team’s meticulous planning and execution, supported by top-tier service partners, have validated our confidence in the field’s commercial viability. Afina-1x is only the beginning; horizontal wells or other advanced completion strategies will further unlock the field’s potential.”

Mr. Okyere’s leadership has been instrumental in Springfield’s ascent as a trailblazer in Africa’s energy industry. His emphasis on leveraging world-class expertise, coupled with the company’s agility as a smaller operator, ensures swift and effective decision-making to benefit all stakeholders.

The company invested over $60 million in this appraisal activity, a testament to its commitment to excellence and innovation. This significant investment has not only reinforced Springfield’s operational credibility but also highlighted its role as a champion of indigenous capacity in the global energy landscape.

The Deepsea Bollsta completed its operations on November 22, 2024, and departed Ghanaian waters shortly thereafter, marking the successful conclusion of this critical phase. Springfield now turns its focus to completing the unitisation process, in line with tribunal directives, to fully harness the potential of the Afina-Sankofa field.

Since its incorporation in 2008, Springfield has pursued a bold vision of energy independence and sustainability for Ghana and the broader West African sub-region. The award of WCTP Block 2 in 2016 and the groundbreaking discoveries in 2019 have positioned Springfield as a transformative force in the industry, doubling the block’s contingent resources to 1.5 billion barrels and adding substantial gas reserves.