ENI commends Ghana’s Energy Ministry for rescinding Sankofa Oil field unitisation directives
By DL News
Published
1 min read
In response, Eni welcomed the move, stating its continued commitment to advancing innovative projects while exploring opportunities across both conventional and renewable energy sectors.
Global energy giant Eni has supported the Ghanaian government's decision to revoke the unitisation directives concerning the Sankofa oil field. The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition officially withdrew the directives that were initially issued in 2020.
In an official statement, Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor confirmed that the directives—implemented on April 9, October 14, and November 6 of 2020—were no longer in effect. These directives had mandated that the two companies operating within the Sankofa oil field merge their operations.
The ministry’s decision came after an in-depth review of the Arbitral Award from the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) Arbitration Case U2021/114 between ENI & Vitol and Ghana & GNPC, dated July 8, 2024. Additional legal guidance from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice further informed the decision.
The withdrawal follows extensive consultations with key stakeholders, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to making energy sector decisions in the country’s best interest.
Although the arbitration ruling found that the directives were inconsistent with the Petroleum Agreement, it did not rule against the concept of unitisation itself. This leaves room for Ghana to independently determine the most beneficial approach for managing its petroleum resources.
In response, Eni welcomed the move, stating its continued commitment to advancing innovative projects while exploring opportunities across both conventional and renewable energy sectors. The company reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening Ghana’s energy security and promoting sustainable development.
With a focus on cutting-edge technology and responsible energy practices, Eni remains committed to aligning its operations with both national and global sustainability objectives. The company looks forward to collaborating with Ghana’s Energy Ministry to further develop the Sankofa oil field and contribute to the country’s broader energy transition initiatives.
