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A Ghanaian delegation led by Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy, Mr Lawrence Apaalse on the authority of Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is attending for the first time, the 23rd World Petroleum Congress in Houston Texas, USA.

The Congress, on the theme “Innovative Energy Solutions” according to organisers, the World Petroleum Council, sums up the vision of the oil and gas sector’s contribution to a changing world.

This is where Ghana is seeking to project the numerous investments opportunities in its energy sector. The opportunities span upstream, downstream, renewable and nuclear energy. Ghana will also reiterate its current position on energy transition, that is Africa must be allowed to pursue an agenda of oil exploration in the context of energy transition because of the differences in the growth trajectory between Africa and the advanced countries.

In the area of nuclear energy Ghana will re-echo its recent feat of ranking 3rd in Africa, in terms of preparedness to inviting for contract bids towards establishing the first Nuclear Power Plant in Ghana. The delegation will underscore that with carbon-free sources, the world and energy players will make energy affordable to industry and this will enable Ghana to meet its vision of being a net exporter of clean power to the West African Subregion.

The delegation is also expected to make a strong case for Ghana’s gas potential as gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels and urge investors to come and invest in Ghana’s huge gas reserves.

The Petroleum Commission, the country’s upstream petroleum regulator participating as an exhibitor will showcase Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources by way of acreages for exploration and farm-in opportunities. The Commission will also walk investors through the country’s legal and regulatory regime, its fiscal and economic system and make the point that Ghana is very stable politically and has a soundtrack record for the business.

The National Petroleum Authority will also highlight the country’s 2030 Petroleum Hub vision and indicate the areas of strategic private sector participation to prospective investors.

The triennial World Petroleum Congress is widely known as the "Olympics" of the petroleum industry and covers all aspects of the energy industry from technological advances in upstream and downstream operations to the role of natural gas and renewables, management of the industry and its social, economic and environmental impact.

The four-day conference will not only feature subjects under energy transition but also reaffirm global commitments to the Paris Agreement as highlighted at the recent COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. Pundits of the energy sector are optimistic that this Houston energy gathering will consolidate the world’s energy future and Ghana will maximise fully from this conference.

The delegation includes Director, General Administration at the Ministry, Mrs Wilhelmina Asamoah, CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr., CEO of the NPA, Mustapha Hamid and other senior officials of the energy sector