Vaalco Energy Completed Gabon Drilling, Started Côte d'Ivoire
Oil operators should note the shift in capital allocation as Vaalco moves its drilling assets from Gabon to Côte d'Ivoire.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Vaalco Energy has finalized its Phase 3 drilling program in Gabon's SE Etame field and commenced the Phase 5 campaign in Côte d'Ivoire. The completed ETSEM-3H well is currently contributing 2,000 gross barrels of oil per day (BOPD) to the company's output.
Why it matters
The transition represents a strategic pivot in drilling activity that impacts the company's production timeline and long-term output capacity. Operators in the sector should monitor how shifting rigs between international jurisdictions affects capital efficiency and production growth profiles.
The ETSEM-3H well delivers 2,000 gross BOPD, contributing 1,140 BOPD in net daily production to Vaalco. The new Phase 5 program in Côte d'Ivoire includes four producers, three water injectors, and two workovers.
The players
Vaalco Energy
An independent energy company focused on exploration and production in West Africa with headquarters in Houston.
The details
Vaalco completed the ETSEM-3H development well using a 300-meter lateral wellbore in reservoir sands before demobilizing the rig from the SE Etame platform. The company has now shifted focus to Côte d'Ivoire, where the Baobab Phase 5 program has begun with the batch-setting of top-holes. This shift allows the firm to transition its technical assets to a multi-well campaign consisting of nine total sub-projects.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: Vaalco announced the operational updates.
Q2 2026: The Baobab field re-started.
End of 2026: The first new producer in the Baobab campaign is expected online.
2027: Meaningful production increases are anticipated.
Market Landscape
This development follows the pattern set by the 2026 Baobab field re-start as the company optimizes its regional asset portfolio. The move reflects a broader trend of operators systematically cycling drilling rigs between mature fields and new development campaigns to stabilize output.
Operators should evaluate their own rig mobility schedules against the timelines demonstrated by Vaalco's phase transitions. Watch for the 2027 production report as a benchmark for how effective this multi-well strategy is at scaling output in competitive offshore markets.
The takeaway
The successful execution of long-lateral wells, such as the 300-meter bore in Gabon, underscores the technical precision required to maintain output in aging fields. Operators should track the conversion rate of producers in the Côte d'Ivoire campaign as a key metric for project profitability.
What happens next
The first new producer in the Baobab campaign is projected to come online by the end of 2026, with significant production increases expected throughout 2027.
Further reading
For more information on sector trends, visit the Oil and Gas section.
More information
Review the latest project timelines and operational updates on the Vaalco Energy company website.
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