Bright Simons, the renowned policy analyst and Honorary Vice President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, has brought renewed attention to the long-standing contentious issue surrounding Springfield’s Afina oil find.

In a recent statement, Simons outlined critical technical, economic, and regulatory concerns that have kept the project embroiled in uncertainty.

“Afina is next door to already producing fields developed by 2 European companies, Eni & Vitol, at a cost of ~$6bn, funded partly with World Bank guarantees. Ghana itself has some liability exposure through letters of credit.”
Bright Simons, Renowned Policy Analyst and Honorary Vice President IMANI Centre Policy and Education

Bright Simons revealed that the outgoing government attempted to force a merger between Springfield’s Afina block and the combined Sankofa – Gye Nyame field owned by Eni-Vitol.

This move was controversial as it would have given 55% of the combined area to Springfield, despite the fact that Afina had not yet proven commercially viable.

“This bizarre decision came before Springfield had even proved there was enough oil in it find to be commercially viable.
“The matter went to international arbitration and the government was told to stop joking and get Springfield to do what it has to do.”
Bright Simons, Renowned Policy Analyst and Honorary Vice President IMANI Centre Policy and Education

Late last month, Springfield announced completion of Afina’s appraisal. In a significant public relations campaign, the company projected future production output figures that have drawn criticism from experts:

“In a massive PR binge it projected a future production output of 12,000 barrels of oil a day (bopd) for the single well and 50,000 bopd for the entire field,” Simons stated. “To appreciate these figures, note that Ghana produces ~130,000 bopd today.”

However, Bright Simons highlighted substantial discrepancies and gaps in Springfield’s claims. According to him, the company’s appraisal well flowed at a maximum rate of 4,500 bopd, a figure significantly below the projected 12,000 bopd.

Notably, this higher estimate was based on a mini-drill stem test (mini-DST), which is considered a less rigorous method for estimating production potential compared to the industry-standard techniques used in Ghana’s larger fields.

Calls for Improved Transparency and Technical Guidance

Bright Simons, the Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa

Industry experts point out that re-entering an appraisal well for flow tests is only the beginning of any serious appraisal program. Unless the initial well proves exceptionally prolific, further drilling may be necessary to confirm field projections.

“IMANI and ACEP have blamed GNPC for much of this confusion. It should become the professional national oil company it was meant to be and provide proper technical guidance to all stakeholders.”
Bright Simons, Renowned Policy Analyst and Honorary Vice President IMANI Centre Policy and Education

The lack of technical information provided by Springfield to regulatory bodies has also raised concerns. According to sources, Ghana’s petroleum regulators have not been supplied with any technical information regarding the Afina project.

“This lack of transparency and the questionable nature of the production projections raise serious questions about the validity of Springfield’s claims and the potential impact on Ghana’s oil industry,” Simons concluded.

The Springfield oil find saga reflects both the opportunities and challenges of Ghana’s oil sector. While the potential of Afina remains uncertain, it has exposed critical gaps in governance and regulatory oversight.

As Bright Simons aptly noted, the path forward requires technical rigor, transparency, and a commitment to professional management. Without these, Ghana risks squandering its oil potential and damaging its reputation as an attractive destination for energy investments.