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INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR PETROLEUM EXPLORATIONA ND PRODUCTION LICENSES, OFFSHORE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
MINISTRY OF ENERGY
1STOIL AND GAS LICENSE ROUND
In Ghana, the title of petroleum resources existing in its natural state in, under or upon any land in Ghana, rivers, streams, water courses throughout Ghana, the exclusive economic zone and any area covered by territorial sea or continental shelf, is the property of the Republic of Ghana and vested in the President on behalf of and in trust for the people of Ghana.
The Ministry of Energy (MoEn) is responsible for the management of petroleum resources through the formulation of policies and regulations to ensure sustainable and optimal exploitation of the petroleum resources in accordance with the principles of good Governance, transparency and accountability to the benefit of present and future Ghanaians.
Historically, Ghana has been exploring for petroleum for over a century before the discovery of Jubilee in 2007. All this while, Ghana has practiced an open system for the allocation of Exploration and Production (E&P) rights. The criteria for award of E&P rights in the open door system are not predefined and know to market participants. Therefore, the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 2016, Act 919 was enacted to ensure the management of the resources is conducted in accordance with the principles of good governance.
Pursuant to Section 10 (3) of the Act, a Petroleum Agreement is to be entered into through an open, transparent and competitive public tender process.
In furtherance of the aforementioned provision, the Government of the Republic of Ghana invites companies to express interest to be pre-qualified for the 1stOil and Gas License Rounds process. The blocks on offer are GH_WB_02, GH_WB_03 and GH_WB_04, all in the Western Basin, offshore Ghana.
The Licensing Rounds is to enable the Government of Ghana to accelerate upstream activities so as to increase reserves and production of petroleum resources.
The 1stOil and Gas License Round’s objective, pursuant to Regulation 16 (2a) of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (General) Regulations, L.I 2359, is for Government of Ghana to have significant participation interest as defined in the evaluation criteria.
The Ministry of Energy will make available legacy data, including but not limited to 2D and 3D seismic data, well information and associated reports, maps and reports of commissioned studies to applicants for evaluation of the prospectivity of the area(s) of interest. Detailed information on legacy data in relation to the available blocks can be accessed at www.ghanar2018.com
Block GH_WB_02 lies in water depth ranging from 100 to 1000 metres. This area is covered by approximately 60% of 2D and 5% of 3D seismic data. The Sankofa-Gye-Nyame field is about 24 kilometres from this block. A working petroleum system has been proven with the discovery of Dzata and Cheeta within the vicinity.
Blocks GH_WB_03 and GH_WB_04 have both 2D and 3D seismic data coverage and well data. Block GH_WB_03 with water depth ranging from 1000 to 3200 metres has approximately 98% of 2D and 40% of 3D seismic data. Block GH_WB_04 has approximately 95% of 2D and 35% of 3D seismic data with a water depth ranging from 100 to 2000 metres.
A working petroleum system has been established within these areas with the discovery of Dzata-1 well. The Sankofa-Gye-Nyame field is about 40 kilometres from block GH_WB_03 and 70 kilometres from block GH_WB_04.
A body corporate who wishes to participate in Ghana’s 1stOil and Gas License Round must submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the Minister of Energy. The EoI shall, in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (General) Regulations, 2018, L.I 2359 include the following:
A template for expression of interest is available at www.energymin.gov.gh, www.petrocom.gov.gh or www.ghanalr2018.com
The Minister has, pursuant to Regulation 9(3) of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (General) Regulations, L.I 2359 decided that a pre-qualification process will proceed the Tender Process.
A body corporate seeking to be pre-qualified must submit an application for pre-qualification to the Minister of Energy. The application shall include information on the following;
Details of above listed requirements are stated in the application form for pre-qualification. Application forms for pre-qualification can be picked up at the Ministry of Energy or a copy can be downloaded at www.energymin.gov.gh, www.petrocom.gov.gh or www.ghanalr2018.com
The Expression of Interest (EoI) and pre-qualification should be submitted in quadruplicate (both printed copies and digital format). The four copies should be sealed in separate envelopes and delivered to the Ministry of Energy at the following address:
POSTAL ADDRESS PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Ministry of Energy Ministry of EnergyO. Box SD40 Ministries Enclave
Stadium Post Office opposite Pensions House –SSNIT
Accra – Ghana Accra – Ghana
Attention: Chief Director
Mobile: +233(0)302667107
Email:bids@energymin.gov.gh
The envelope(s) shall be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and labeled: GHANA 1STOIL AND GAS LICENSE ROUND: BLOCK NUMBER
Deadline for submission of Expression of Interest and application for pre-qualification is December 20, 2018 at 5p.m. (local time)
Enquiries and comments should be addressed in writing to the Ministry of Energy at the above address.
Application fee for pre-qualification is 10,000 USD and payable by Banker’s Draft addressed to the Chief Director, Ministry of Energy. The Banker’s Draft should be included in the pre-qualifcation application package to be submitted.
The application fee may also be paid into the account below and evidence of payment enclosed in the pre-qualificaiton application package.
Account Name: Ministry of Energy
Bank Name: Agricultural Development Bank
Account Number: 1073020002623001
Swift Code: ADNTGHAC
Branch: Ridge
Address: Accra Financial Centre, 3rdAmbassadorial Development Area, Ridge-Accra, P. O. Box 4191, Accra – Ghana.
There shall be a signature bonus upon ratification of the Petroleum Agreement in accordance with Regulaiton 74(2b) of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (General) Regulations, L.I. 2359
The 1stOil and Gas License Round will span over 10 months from October 2018 to August 2019 wit the activities scheduled below:
10. MISCELLANEOUS
Pursuant to Section 10(4) of Act 919, the Minister may on stated reasons decide not to enter into a Petroleum Agreement after the tender process as prescribed. Further to this, the Government of Ghana reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, at any time, to terminate further participation in the License round by any party, to change the structure and timing of the License Round and/process, to refuse a particular party entry to the next round of the Tender Process, to amend the information contained in this document or to terminate the 1stOil and Gas License Round. The Government of the Republic of Ghana shall not be liable for any costs, expenses or other liabilities incurred by any participants at any state of the 1stOil and Gas License Round.
Following pre-qualification, companies will be expected to purchase the relevant data package to submit a confirming bid.