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Experts discuss the future of oil and gas Policy
Accra, April 16, GNA - Oil experts estimate that Ghana will
by the second quarter of 2009 or early 2010 export about
60,000 barrels of oil a day.
This is expected to move up to 200,000 barrels a day
depending on the quantities available, Sheikh Ibrahim C.
Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said in Accra on
Wednesday.
He said with an estimated production of about 250,000
barrels a day, the country stood to gain 72 million metric
tons of gas, which could generate 250 megawatts of energy to
supplement the country’s energy needs.
The Regional Minister, who made these remarks at a day’s
regional consultative meeting with stakeholders to solicit
views and comments for the Oil and Gas Policy, said Ghana’s
oil discovery would be meaningless unless every Ghanaian
benefited from the resource as well as its developments.
The meeting was attended by the Ghana Navy, student
representatives and other members of the Regional House of
Chiefs, Labour Commission, National Commission on Children,
security agencies and the media.
Sheikh Quaye said the policy when finalized would ensure
that the whole process did not lead to total neglect of
other sectors of the economy, adding, “best practices must
be examined and incorporated into our national policy”.
Professor Kwaku Appiah Adu, Director of Policy Planning
Monitoring and Evaluation at the Office of the President and
the Head of the Technical Committee, said Ghana had a vision
of becoming a net exporter of petroleum and petroleum
products.
He explained that measures were being put in place to ensure
that the environment was not polluted.
The policy would be an open-door one to encourage the
continued licensing of several oil companies, review
existing petroleum laws, reduce block size and enforce
relinquishment.
Prof. Appiah Adu noted that the policy would also encourage
private sector participation and prepare procedures and
criteria for biding, while preventive measures would be put
in place to avoid spillage.
“A Maritime Coordination Centre will be developed and the
National Oil and Gas Policy when finally developed will
provide the framework for development of the industry master
plan and the views being collated country-wide are crucial
for the whole process.”
Stakeholders expressed the joy of the discovery of oil and
urged government to treat the process with caution.
GNA
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