Planet One Oil & Gas and its partners, GOIL Upstream Limited and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), have welcomed the discovery of hydrocarbons at the Nya Gyidie-1X exploration well in the Deepwater Cape Three Points (DWCTP) Block offshore Ghana.
The discovery was officially announced on Tuesday by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, at the opening of the 2026 Local Content Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Petroleum Commission in Takoradi.
The size of the discovery was not disclosed, as further appraisal work is required to determine whether the find is commercially viable.
Nya Gyidie-1X, which means “have faith” in the Akan language, marks the first successful test of a carbonate reservoir system in Ghana, opening up a new geological target beyond the sandstone formations that have underpinned the country’s existing commercial discoveries.
The discovery comes as Ghana seeks to accelerate investment and exploration across its upstream petroleum sector.
In July 2026, President John Dramani Mahama announced $3.5 billion in new upstream investment commitments.
The government has also identified reserve replacement, increased production and renewed international investment as priorities for the sector.
In a statement, Sanjeev Mansotra, Founder and Chairman of Planet One Group, described the Nya Gyidie-1X discovery as an important milestone for Planet One and Ghana’s oil and gas sector, opening up new possibilities for future exploration.
“We have worked closely with the Government of Ghana for many years, and across every project, our focus is on the impact it can create for the country. In oil and gas, that means supporting investment, jobs, skills and wider economic value over time. We are grateful to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Petroleum Commission, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and GOIL for their continued support and partnership,” he said.
Mr Andaleeb Sehgal, Chief Executive Officer of Planet One Oil & Gas, added: “Discovering hydrocarbons with our very first deepwater exploration well is a moment of immense pride for our entire organisation. A campaign of this kind demands technical capability, operational discipline, meticulous planning and, above all, an exceptional team.
“I thank every member of the Planet One team, the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, our partners at GNPC and GOIL, our contractors and the Government of Ghana for their support in delivering this campaign safely and successfully.
“I also thank our Chairman, Mr Sanjeev Mansotra, whose conviction and faith in the team made this achievement possible. The new carbonate play adds an exciting dimension to exploration in the Deepwater Tano Basin. Planet One Oil & Gas has now firmly established itself in exploration, and we look forward to helping unlock the potential of Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources.”
Located approximately 148 kilometres offshore Ghana, Nya Gyidie-1X was drilled in water depths of 2,289 metres, placing it firmly in the ultra-deepwater category.
The well encountered hydrocarbons within carbonate rock between 3,364 and 3,499 metres measured depth along the wellbore, confirming the presence of hydrocarbons in a reservoir type not previously proven in Ghana.
Mr Kwame Ntow Amoah, Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), said: “The significance of Nya Gyidie-1X goes beyond the hydrocarbons encountered in this well. For the first time in Ghana, we have tested and confirmed hydrocarbons in a carbonate reservoir system, opening up a new geological play for further exploration.
“At a time when replenishing our reserves and sustaining production growth are national priorities, this is an encouraging development. The next task is to establish the scale and commercial potential of the discovery through rigorous technical evaluation. GNPC looks forward to working with Planet One and GOIL Upstream to build on this result and advance the development and production opportunities it presents for Ghana.”
Edward Abambire Bawa, Group Chief Executive Officer of GOIL PLC, said: “The Nya Gyidie-1X hydrocarbon discovery represents an important milestone for Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry and validates GOIL’s strategic decision to participate in exploration through GOIL Upstream Limited.
“As a Ghanaian company, we are particularly encouraged by the opening of a new exploration frontier and its potential contribution to the country’s long-term energy security. We commend Planet One, the operator, and our partners for this achievement and look forward to the next phase of technical evaluation to establish the discovery’s commercial potential.”
The Deepwater Cape Three Points Block, where Nya Gyidie-1X was drilled, covers approximately 1,454 square kilometres offshore Ghana.
The block is operated by Planet One in partnership with GOIL Upstream Limited, a subsidiary of GOIL PLC, and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.
Planet One’s partnership with GOIL Upstream was established in 2023 through Farm-In and Joint Operating Agreements, following ExxonMobil’s decision to relinquish its interest in the block.
The company began drilling the well in October and had outlined its drilling plans at Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra.
“Planet One has done the work. We’ve matured the opportunity; we’ve secured the rig. Now we are ready to drill,” Doreen Addotei, the company’s lead geoscientist, said at the conference.
Planet One holds a 75% stake in the block, while the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) holds 15% and GOIL Upstream owns the remaining 10%.
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