The Government of Ghana has officially withdrawn the unitisation directives issued in 2020 that mandated the joint operation of oil fields by Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (Eni) and Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (Springfield).
This decision, announced on February 25, 2025, by the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.
The original directives, implemented by the previous administration in April, October, and November 2020, required the compulsory unitisation of Eni’s Sankofa field and Springfield’s Afina discovery.
This move aimed to optimise resource extraction but faced significant opposition and led to protracted legal disputes.
In July 2024, the International Arbitration Tribunal dismissed a $915 million claim by Eni and Vitol against Ghana, which challenged the unitisation directive. The Tribunal found that while the concept of unitisation is legally valid, the specific circumstances and implementation of the directives violated the Petroleum Agreement.
Jinapor’s recent announcement reflects the government’s commitment to restoring investor confidence and revitalising Ghana’s petroleum sector. The Ministry of Energy has indicated that this withdrawal does not preclude the possibility of issuing new directives in the future, should they be necessary for the equitable and efficient development of the country’s petroleum resources.
Click here to read the statement by the Ministry
Minority rejects Srem-Sai, Suhuyini nominations, boycotts vetting
……
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital