Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry is poised for a fresh wave of investment after the government resolved outstanding disputes with key oil and gas operators, removing a major source of uncertainty that had weighed on investor confidence.

The development, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, has created a more predictable operating environment and opened the way for new capital to flow into the sector.

She said the resolution of the disputes was consistent with the government’s commitment to creating certainty for investors and ensuring that Ghana’s petroleum resources continued to generate greater economic value.

“Pursuant to the promise His Excellency made to Ghanaians, all disputes between upstream oil and gas players and the government of Ghana have been promptly resolved, paving the way for more investment,” she said.

Madam Hardcastle made the disclosure in Accra at the launch of the 2025 Annual Investment Report, where she outlined developments shaping investment in Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry.

She said the improved investment climate was already translating into concrete financial commitments from major industry players.

According to her, partners in the Jubilee and TEN fields have committed US$2 billion to further development activities.

The investment is expected to support increased oil production and boost gas output, while also contributing to a reduction in the Jubilee gas price.

Madam Hardcastle said the expected reduction in the Jubilee gas price was about 18 per cent, which could result in savings of approximately US$300 million for Ghana.

The commitment is significant for Ghana as the country seeks to maximise production from existing fields while strengthening the role of domestic gas in the energy sector.

$1.5bn gas expansion

The Petroleum Commission CEO also disclosed another major investment commitment from the Offshore Cape Three Points partners.

She said Eni, Vitol and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) had pledged US$1.5 billion towards expanding gas exports and developing the Eban-Akoma discoveries.

Together, the two commitments amount to about US$3.5 billion, signalling renewed interest in Ghana’s upstream petroleum potential.

The investments are expected to support field development, increase production and strengthen the country’s position as an attractive destination for oil and gas capital.

Policy certainty critical

Madam Hardcastle, however, stressed that sustaining the momentum would require Ghana to maintain an investment climate in which operators could make long-term decisions with confidence.

She identified a stable fiscal regime, transparent regulatory arrangements and efficient licensing processes as critical elements in maintaining investor confidence.

The resolution of the outstanding disputes, she suggested, therefore represents more than the settlement of individual disagreements between the government and industry players.

It provides a foundation for renewed cooperation between the State and petroleum companies at a time when Ghana is seeking to increase production, expand gas utilisation and attract fresh investment into its upstream industry.

With billions of dollars in new commitments now emerging, the challenge for the government and regulators will be to sustain the policy certainty that encouraged the investments while ensuring that petroleum resources deliver maximum value to the Ghanaian economy.