VAALCO Energy Starts New Offshore Drilling Campaign
The company concludes its Gabon program to focus on production growth in Côte d'Ivoire throughout 2027.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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VAALCO Energy concluded its Phase 3 drilling program in Gabon with the successful startup of the ETSEM-3H well. The company has shifted its operational focus to Côte d'Ivoire, where it has officially commenced the Baobab Phase 5 drilling campaign.
Why it matters
These drilling initiatives are central to the company's strategy of expanding production and increasing reserves. By rotating rigs from completed Gabon projects to new Côte d'Ivoire campaigns, operators in the sector can better manage asset utilization cycles to drive long-term value.
The ETSEM-3H well reached an initial production rate of 2,000 gross barrels of oil per day, while the new Baobab Phase 5 campaign consists of four production wells, three water-injection wells, and two workovers.
The players
VAALCO Energy
An independent energy company focused on exploration and production across West Africa.
Borr Norve
A drilling rig provider that manages offshore technical asset deployment.
The details
The ETSEM-3H well was completed in an attic location, successfully targeting 300 metres of net pay in the Gamba reservoir sands. In Côte d'Ivoire, the Baobab Phase 5 campaign began with batch-setting top-hole sections for the planned wells. The transition involved demobilizing the Borr Norve rig from the Gabon site to redeploy resources toward restarting Baobab field output.
Timeline
Q2 2026: Baobab field production restarted.
October 2026: Phase 3 drilling program concluded in Gabon.
Late 2026: First new producer expected online in Baobab campaign.
2027: Expected timeline for production growth.
Market Landscape
This activity follows the 2026 restart of the Baobab field, which provides the production baseline for the current expansion. The campaign signals a shift toward capitalizing on established infrastructure to drive output in the region.
Operators should monitor the timeline for the first Baobab producer expected by late 2026, as this will set the pace for 2027 production targets. The successful transition of rigs between offshore fields illustrates the importance of sequencing capital-intensive projects to maintain steady throughput.
The takeaway
Operational efficiency in offshore drilling requires precise staging of rig demobilization and site preparation. Monitor production reports throughout 2027 to gauge whether the Baobab Phase 5 campaign meets the company's growth projections.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional energy development, view the Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oilreviewafrica.
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