Vaalco Energy has reported a strong operational start to 2026, recording initial production of approximately 2,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from a new development well offshore Gabon while simultaneously securing operatorship of a potentially significant offshore project in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Etame 15H-ST development well in Gabon’s Etame field has been drilled, completed and brought online, delivering a stabilized flow rate of approximately 2,000 gross bopd with a 38% water cut. The well features a 250-meter lateral of net pay in high-quality Gamba sands near the top of the reservoir. Vaalco has also spudded a West Etame step-out exploration well from the S1 slot on the Etame platform, carrying a 57% chance of geologic success and expected to reach target depth by mid-March. A successful result could add incremental reserves and production in 2026.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Vaalco was confirmed as operator with a 60% working interest in the Kossipo field on the offshore CI-40 Block, alongside partner PetroCI with a 40% share. The Kossipo discovery, originally made in 2002 and appraised in 2019 when a well tested at over 7,000 bopd, is estimated to contain gross 2C resources of approximately 102 million barrels of oil equivalent and 293 million barrels in place. A Field Development Plan is expected to be submitted in the second half of 2026. New ocean bottom node seismic data is currently supporting an updated development evaluation.
The Baobab Ivorien FPSO is presently off the East coast of Africa and is expected to return to offshore Côte d’Ivoire by late March, with production resumption targeted for the second quarter.
“We have begun 2026 with some very meaningful events that are positioning Vaalco to deliver expected 225% organic production growth by 2030,” said George Maxwell, Vaalco’s CEO.
Source: energy-pedia.com; worldoil.com