Global standards organization, ASTM International, has announced its intent to support Ghana’s drive of creating a world-class petroleum industry in the sub-region. 

The American-based private standards developer will provide technical assistance towards enhancing the reliability and profitability of Ghana’s nascent oil and gas industry.

This came out of a meeting between the Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof. Alex Dodoo and the ASTM team on the sidelines of the 66th Council Meetings of the African Organisation for Standardisation in Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Professor Alex Dodoo believed the ASTM has developed standards in the petroleum industry that can support Ghana drive at building a robust industry

“The Government of Ghana is keen on realising its oil and gas potential in a sustainable manner. And therefore, welcomes any mutually-beneficial partnership in that regard. Our Petroleum Hub project is an indication of our interest in becoming a key player in the global petroleum industry”, Prof Dodoo said. 

The West African nation is positioning itself at the forefront of hydrocarbons production, hoping to create strong midstream and downstream industries in the next decade.

ASTM’s Director of External Relations, James P. Olshefsky, said the capacity building of local players in the petroleum industry is crucial for Ghana in better controlling its oil assets. 

“We believe that through working together and through partnerships, we can speed up the adoption and reference of ASTM International standards to promote trade between Africa and the United States”, Mr Olshefsky said.

 Ghana’s Petroleum Hub project

The country plans to set up a $60 billion Petroleum Hub in the Western region, aiming to become the centre for downstream in West Africa and a world-class exporter.  

The hub will house four refineries with a combined capacity of 600,000 barrels per stream day, targeting to cover 50% of petroleum consumption in the sub-region. It plans to hold and redistribute 30 million metric tonnes of oil each year. 

The Director-General of GSA, Prof Alex Dodoo said streamlining petroleum standards in Africa will promote consistency and facilitate compliance in the region. 

“Harmonising standards in the region will allow players across the value chain to demonstrate that products, services, or processes are in compliance with applicable legislation, while promoting business,” he indicated.

ASTM International and the American Petroleum Institute (API) are jointly working on a three-year project to harmonize petroleum standards in West Africa.  

The project supports the capacity of developing countries in the areas of legal and regulatory frameworks, standards development, conformity assessment procedures, and private sector engagement.