Sidetrack drilling starts at deepwater OCTP block offshore Ghana

The Deep Value Driller drillship has spud the Sankofa East sidetrack in the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) Block offshore Ghana for operator Eni and partners Vitol and Ghana National Petroleum Corp. (GNPC).

It follows completion of operations by the rig offshore Côte d'Ivoire. Eni claims its automated technology is among the best in terms of operational performance and safety.

The Gusto MSC vessel, built in 2014, can drill in 10,000 ft of water to a TD of 40,000 ft. It features a Dual 7 RAM BOP stack and a maximum hookload capacity

Ahead of the current campaign, the OCTP partners held consultations with more than 800 fishermen and local community leaders in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, Petroleum Commission, Ghana Maritime Authority and others.