Aker Energy, operator of the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Point (DWT/CTP) Block offshore of the Western Region of Ghana has distinguished its brand by touching lives of Ghanaians as well as adding up to national growth.
The company since taking over from HESS Petroleum between 2017/2018 has positioned itself to becoming one of the most significant industry player ranging from its corporate social responsibility modules, quality assurance, code of conduct and mode operation which has recently led to discovery of more oil in the Deep Water Tano of Cape Three Points.
One of Aker’s remarkable contributions towards national growth as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within its short time of operation (exploration) is its recent support of a $4.5 million to the government of Ghana.
The support is aimed at supporting the Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity-building (AOGC) Programme, an initiative by the Ghana government designed and dedicated to enhance the capacities and expertise of indigenous Ghanaians in the oil and gas sector.
The AOGC Programme, according to the Government of Ghana will also go the long way to provide business and management training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and ensure the continuous professional development of employees of various public institutions connected to the oil and gas industry.
The Country Manager of Aker Energy, Mr. Jan Helge Skogen, in his remarks during the donation lauded authorities for their commitment towards adopting the necessary steps to raise local knowledge and capacity levels in the oil and gas industry.
He added that Aker Energy will continue to support the Government of Ghana to equip and enhance their capacities in the oil and gas sector.
“Aker Energy will support the Petroleum Commission to certify vocational and technical experts, preparing them for jobs in the industry. Under the AOGC, we will seek support from and utilize Ghanaian educational institutions to increase competency levels through training of local trainers’ programme,” Mr. Skogen said at a ceremony held by stakeholders, and key players and regulators in the oil and gas industry.
Touching on education, Aker Energy has supported immensely over the past months in operations has impacted positively in the lives of the people along the six coastal MMDAs of the Western Region through its scholarship packages to Junior High School levers.
The scholarship dubbed Aker-GNPC Scholars programme currently ongoing in the Western Region partnership with LUKOIL, Fueltrade and GNPC since Aker’s taken over has already catered for over eight hundred (800) brilliant but underprivileged children by supporting them to continue their education at the secondary level.
The Aker-GNPC Scholars support programme is also expected to be extended to the tertiary level to enable beneficiary students pursue courses in technical and non-technical subject areas with some now capable of going through the AOGC programme to be offered University education in Scotland and Norway, its country manager revealed.
“As you can understand, we want to get a lot out of our $4.5 million contribution and we are confident that this will happen through the project framework and the good cooperation already established between the Petroleum Commission and Aker Energy,” Mr. Skogen added.
Aker Energy sponsored as the Platinum or Headline of the 2019 Fourth annual Western Region Independence Day Inter-District JHS Quiz Competition among the eleven MMDAs in the region with Tarkwa Nsuaem emerging as the champions.
Aker Energy is the operator of the Deep Water Tano Cape Three Points block with a 50% participating interest. Aker Energy’s partners are LUKOIL (38%), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) (10%) and Fueltrade (2%).
The company estimates that with the next two appraisal wells to be drilled, the total volumes to be included in a Plan of Development (POD) have the potential to increase to between 600 – 1,000 mm. In addition, there are identified multiple well targets to be drilled as part of a greater area development after submission of the POD.
By: Nana Osei Nkwantabisa
Nkosuohene of Lower Axim Traditional Area
