Irish oil and gas major Tullow has announced that its Owo-1 exploration sidetrack in Ghana's Deepwater Tano licence has encountered substantial net oil pay.

In a statement to investors, Tullow confirmed that Owo is now a major new field, with confirmed net oil pay of at least 69 metres.

The company's exploration director Angus McCoss commented: "Appraisal wells are currently being planned to extend the main Owo oil discovery up-dip and down-dip, to appraise the adjacent Tweneboa oil and gas condensate accumulation."

In a statement last month, Tullow also confirmed that it is on target to achieve first oil in Ghana in November or December and is making preparations to bring the oil to market.

As well as providing infrastructural support, Tullow is also investing in oil and gas training to ensure the local workforce can be utilised as the country's energy sector burgeons.

Tullow is also preparing to bring fields in Uganda on stream, and has also this month purchased stakes in fields in Ethiopia and Kenya.

Getenergy for Western Africa