The Petroleum Commission has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector through sustained technical capacity development, as it participated in the second edition of the TGS–University of Ghana Seismic Data Processing Workshop at the University of Ghana, Legon yesterday.
The three-day workshop, organised by TGS in collaboration with the University of Ghana, brought together renowned geoscientists, industry experts, faculty members, and Earth Science students for intensive training in seismic data processing and interpretation, a critical component of hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir management.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Ag. CEO, Ms. Emeafa Hardcastle, the Ag. Deputy CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Nasir Alfa Mohammed, Esq., highlighted the strategic importance of seismic data in Ghana’s petroleum value chain.
He emphasised that seismic analysis plays a foundational role in reducing exploration risk, improving investment decisions, and safeguarding national resources.
“Seismic data is the backbone of hydrocarbon exploration. It reduces geological uncertainty, enhances investment decision-making, improves drilling success rates, and ultimately protects national resources from avoidable risk,” he stated.
Mr. Mohammed noted that as Ghana continues to promote exploration across its offshore and onshore basins, including renewed interest in the Voltaian Basin, advanced seismic processing capabilities remain indispensable.
He further explained that the Commission’s mandate to regulate and manage the efficient, safe, and sustainable development of Ghana’s petroleum resources requires strong local technical competence.
According to him, regulatory excellence must be supported by deep geoscientific expertise, particularly in evaluating field development plans, assessing exploration programmes, monitoring resource estimation, and ensuring optimal reservoir management.
Highlighting the broader significance of the workshop, Mr. Mohammed described the initiative as more than a training programme. He indicated that it represents a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between academia and industry while nurturing the next generation of Ghanaian geoscientists. The Commission commended TGS for sustaining the initiative following a successful first edition and expressed appreciation to the University of Ghana for providing a platform to build technical capacity among students.