A technical malfunction aboard the Kwame Nkrumah Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in Ghana’s Jubilee oilfield has temporarily disrupted gas exports to the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant (GPP).
A joint statement issued by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Ghana National Gas Company confirmed the occurrence of the technical fault and assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to resolve the issue
“We wish to inform our stakeholders that on 10th May 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM, the Jubilee Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel experienced a technical issue that temporarily affected gas export to the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant (GPP).”
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Ghana National Gas Company
The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant plays a crucial role in Ghana’s energy infrastructure, converting raw natural gas from offshore fields into lean gas, condensate, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for industrial and domestic use.
The Jubilee FPSO, operated by Tullow Oil in partnership with GNPC and other stakeholders, is one of Ghana’s most vital offshore oil and gas production assets.
It processes both crude oil and associated gas from the Jubilee field, which is among the largest offshore discoveries in West Africa.
Since its commissioning in 2011, the FPSO has become a linchpin in Ghana’s energy sector, contributing significantly to government revenues and domestic energy supply.
The statement emphasized that efforts are underway to diagnose the root cause of the malfunction and to implement immediate corrective actions.
“The operator is making every effort to identify the root cause of the problem, implement the necessary corrective measures, and restore gas supply to the Atuabo GPP as quickly and safely as possible.
“Our technical teams are working with the operator to resolve the issue.”
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Ghana National Gas Company
Jubilee FPSO Oil Production Unaffected
Despite the disruption in gas exports, GNPC and Ghana Gas were quick to reassure the public that crude oil production from the Jubilee FPSO remains unaffected.
“We want to assure the general public and our partners that oil production on the FPSO remains steady and uninterrupted. There is no impact on crude lifting or storage operations.”
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Ghana National Gas Company
This distinction is critical, as Ghana relies on gas from the Jubilee field not only for processing at the Atuabo facility but also for power generation.
A prolonged outage could affect electricity supply, particularly in the western corridor where several thermal plants depend on processed gas from Atuabo.
Many of Ghana’s thermal power plants rely on processed natural gas from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant to generate electricity. If gas exports to Atuabo are interrupted, these plants face fuel shortages, reducing their generation capacity.
Although the authorities have not specified the duration of the outage, energy experts caution that any extended delay in gas export to Atuabo could ripple through the electricity supply chain.
Interruptions in gas flow from Jubilee to Atuabo can stress the thermal generation system. If not restored quickly, it could lead to reliance on more expensive fuels such as light crude oil, which would increase the cost of power generation.
The Ghana Gas Company has reportedly begun consultations with the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other stakeholders in the power sector to explore temporary alternatives and mitigate any potential disruption in power generation.
With technical teams actively working on the issue, stakeholders remain optimistic that gas exports to Atuabo GPP will resume soon.
However, this disruption has reinforced conversations about Ghana’s reliance on offshore oil and gas infrastructure and the need for increased investment in domestic energy resilience.
As the situation unfolds, energy sector watchers will closely monitor progress in fault rectification and the broader implications for Ghana’s energy supply. Officials are expected to provide further updates on restoration timelines in the coming days.
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