Ghana opens oil bid pre-qualifications

Ghana’s Ministry of Energy has opened applications for pre-qualification in the country’s first oil and gas exploration licensing round, local media reported Monday.

Companies that submitted expressions of interest for competitive bidding or direct negotiation may apply, Ghana Web reported.

A total of 60 applications were received from 16 companies. Two were invalidated because they were for Block 1, which is reserved for Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, leaving 58 to progress to the next stage.

“We will collaborate and partner with them to explore and exploit the resource for our mutual benefit and most importantly the benefit of the Ghanaian people,” said Lawrence Apaalse, the chairman of the Licensing Round Committee.

President Akufo-Addo launched the country’s first oil and gas exploration licensing round in October. Blocks 2, 3 and 4 are open for bidding, while deepwater blocks 5 and 6 are to be allocated through direct negotiations.