Press Release on Aker Energy Controversy - ‘Mr. Mould’s Intervention in the Aker Energy’s Petroleum Agreement Controversy is Shocking’
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has been following the recent discussions on the Aker Energy and the interest of Ghana in the discoveries of the Deep Water Tano Cape Three Points ( DWT / CTP) block. The position of ACEP in that conversation has been that although ACEP does not share the concerns of IMANI, IMANI, who started it, did nothing wrong by asking questions of government to seek clarification on what they consider potential loss to the State in the Aker deal. This is consistent with ACEP’s long held position not to discourage other civil society organisations and think tanks from asking questions of government.
However, if someone with the clout of Mr. Alex Mould, who for the better part of the Hess exploration campaign was the head of GNPC, misrepresents the facts, such misrepresentations cannot go unnoticed because of the potential to deepen misconceptions and miseducation. As an industry watcher, ACEP struggles to believe that Mr. Mould is not seized with the facts, either in law or technical realities, that has shaped the interpretation of the Petroleum Agreement (PA). ACEP therefore, wants to state its positions in relation to comments made by Mr. Mould on News File, a current affairs programme on Joy FM and the fundamental actualities that have shaped the DWT/CTP PA to date.
Relinquishment The PA between Hess and the Republic of Ghana was signed in 2006 with effective date of 17th July of the same year. The work programme had three phases consistent with all PAs in Ghana. However, Hess, in their PA, was granted accessto 100% of their block at first extension with a requirement to relinquish 30% at second extension. The evidence as shown in Figures 1 and 2 below indicate that Hess indeed relinquished part of the block after second extension.
