Ghanaian companies and other companies operating in the Oil and Gas sector in Ghana have participated in the past Offshore Technology Conference as delegates, but as OTC turns 50 this year, Ghana has for the first time secured a pavilion with over 10 companies exhibiting.

The 2018 OTC which started on April 30 is arguably the largest Oil and Gas event which brings together energy professionals to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. For this reason, Ghana’s presence at this year’s event as an exhibitor is regarded as a significant milestone for the Ghanaian Oil & Gas industry.

Exhibiting companies from Ghana include, GNPC, Tullow Ghana, Kosmos Energy, Spring Field EP, Wood Field Group, GRA, MOE & Agencies, I-Neema, Eco Alpha, Advantage Group, Greenline Logistics, G.O.G.S.P.A, Seaweld and Conship; with the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, leading the delegation.

The Minister in his remarks whiles commissioning the Ghana pavilion mentioned that “this step is significant in the development life-cycle of Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry.” He went on to say “after a decade of numerous discoveries, Ghana has successfully developed legislation, built and grown institutions and an industry, and has managed to convert these into tangible results.”

Celebrating 50 years since 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil and OTC Asia.

Ghana currently produces a total of 200,000 bbls of crude oil per day and according to Hon. Boakye Agyarko, the country is working to increase production in the near future which will position Ghana as a major oil producing country.  “I would like at this point to announce that at the end of this year, our Government will undertake the first bidding round for the allocation of new acreages in line with our strategy of pursuing an aggressive exploration drive,” he added.

Before declaring the Ghana pavilion out-doored, the Minister urged the Ghanaian institutions and companies present to build the right strategic partnerships with other global players in the industry to prepare them to take up front roles in the growing Oil and Gas industry in Ghana.

“As we work to grow reserves, as a people, we must strive to deepen the positive impact of petroleum in the nation’s development agenda. Let this pavilion serve as a fulcrum for Ghana’s petroleum industry, announce our presence, project our industry, share ideas, collaborate and seek partnerships.” – The Minister concluded.

The exhibition ends on Thursday, May 3, 2018 but there will be a networking event for the Ghana delegates at their various hotels and a delegation leaders O&G site visit and training on May 4, 2018 before departing for Ghana.