Offshore services company Bourbon has secured a new contract to provide subsea support operations on Ghana’s Jubilee Field, reinforcing operational activities on one of the country’s most important offshore oil assets as drilling and production work gathers pace.
The contract will see Bourbon deploy its Multi-Purpose Support Vessel (MPSV), Bourbon Evolution 802, to undertake a wide range of subsea inspection, maintenance and installation activities in support of Tullow Oil’s operations at the Jubilee Field.
The award comes at a critical stage in Jubilee’s ongoing development programme, with Tullow Oil advancing a six-well drilling campaign aimed at sustaining production and improving long-term field performance.
According to Bourbon, the vessel will be mobilised with two heavy-duty work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), allowing it to execute technically demanding offshore operations, including inspection, maintenance and repair of subsea wellheads, pipeline installation, survey work, mooring chain cleaning and subsea Christmas tree installation.
This contract reflects our ability to deliver integrated subsea solutions that combine engineering and offshore operations in our traditional markets. The Bourbon Evolution 802 is exactly the type of vessel that allows us to support our clients on technically complex projects, backed by a strong local presence and teams with deep expertise in the region
Karim Mebarek, Chief Commercial Officer at Bourbon
Supporting Jubilee’s Development Programme
The contract aligns with Tullow Oil’s broader plans to sustain production at the Jubilee Field through an extensive drilling campaign currently underway offshore Ghana.
The company expects six wells, comprising five production wells and one water injection well, to be brought online during 2026 as part of efforts to maximise recovery from the field.
Two of the production wells have already begun producing, while additional wells are scheduled to come onstream over the coming months.
Bourbon’s subsea campaign is expected to provide the operational support needed to ensure critical offshore infrastructure continues to perform efficiently as drilling activities progress.
Reliable inspection and maintenance work is particularly important during active field development, helping operators maintain production while safeguarding offshore assets.
Broad Scope Of Offshore Operations
Under the agreement, Bourbon Evolution 802 will carry out a comprehensive range of subsea activities across the Jubilee Field.
These include inspection, maintenance, and repair of subsea wellheads; cleaning of the mooring chains attached to the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah; subsea surveys; pipeline installation; and installation of subsea Christmas trees used to control production from offshore wells.
The vessel will also deploy two work-class remotely operated vehicles capable of operating in deepwater environments where conventional diving operations are not possible.
According to Bourbon, approximately 60 personnel, including client representatives, are expected to be on board the vessel throughout the offshore campaign.
The combination of specialised equipment and experienced offshore teams is intended to ensure safe and efficient execution of the work programme.
Reinforcing Bourbon’s West Africa Presence
The latest contract further strengthens Bourbon’s footprint in West Africa, where the company has maintained a significant operational presence for several years.
The offshore services provider operates around 100 vessels across the region and has supported a range of offshore oil and gas projects in several African markets.
In Ghana, Bourbon has previously undertaken subsea campaigns for Tullow-operated assets using the Bourbon Evolution 804, giving the company considerable operational experience in the country’s deepwater environment.
The new award builds on that relationship and reflects continued demand for specialised offshore support services as operators focus on maintaining production efficiency.
Jubilee Remains Central To Ghana’s Oil Industry
More than a decade after first production, the Jubilee Field continues to play a central role in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
The field remains one of the country’s largest producing assets and forms a key part of Tullow Oil’s long-term growth strategy in Ghana.
Recent developments, including the extension of the West Cape Three Points and Deepwater Tano petroleum agreements to 2040, have provided greater certainty for future investment in the asset.
The company is also pursuing measures to optimise production while supporting Ghana’s domestic energy requirements through continued gas supply from the field.
Sustaining Offshore Investment
The award of the Bourbon contract reflects continued investment in the specialised services required to support offshore oil production in Ghana.
Subsea inspection, maintenance and repair activities are essential components of offshore operations, helping to preserve the integrity of production systems and minimise operational disruptions.
As Ghana continues efforts to maximise output from existing producing fields, the availability of specialised vessels, advanced subsea technology and experienced technical personnel will remain critical to supporting safe and efficient operations.
For the Jubilee Field, the latest contract represents another important milestone in an active year of offshore development, reinforcing industry confidence in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector while supporting the reliable operation of one of West Africa’s most significant deepwater oil assets.
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