Noble Corporation has signed a $171 million contract with Tullow Ghana, a subsidiary of UK-based Tullow Oil, to deploy its state-of-the-art Noble Venturer drillship for offshore exploration in Ghana.
The contract, spanning 360 days, will commence in May 2025.
The Noble Venturer is scheduled to drill six wells during the campaign. The first two wells, expected to take 120 days, will be completed before a maintenance period at the end of 2025. Operations will resume in January 2026 for the remaining four wells, anticipated to take 240 days.
Additionally, the agreement includes three optional extensions of two wells each, highlighting the project’s long-term potential.
Blake Denton, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Contracts at Noble, praised the collaboration, stating, “The Noble Venturer’s return to Ghana underscores Tullow’s confidence in Noble, its equipment, and its skilled crew. We remain committed to delivering exceptional performance and contributing positively to the Ghanaian economy.”
This deal builds on Noble’s established presence in Ghana, a key hub for offshore drilling in Africa. The partnership is expected to bolster Tullow Ghana’s exploration efforts and further strengthen the country’s energy sector. The initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader goals of maximizing energy resource development to drive economic growth.
The Noble Venturer, built in 2014 by Samsung Heavy Industries, is equipped to operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drill to a maximum depth of 40,000 feet. With accommodation for 230 personnel, the vessel exemplifies modern offshore drilling technology, enabling efficient and environmentally conscious operations.
By partnering with global industry leaders like Noble and Tullow, Ghana is positioning itself to attract more investment, boost local content, and enhance its energy self-sufficiency, paving the way for sustained economic development.
