How significant is Ghana to Expro’s overall strategy?

Ghana is of great interest to Expro as the country is starting to get involved in deepwater exploration, which presents specific technical challenges that Expro is the market leader in overcoming. The country’s push into deepwater exploration is pushing the boundaries of the well testing industry. As a logistical and operational base, Ghana is important to the oil industry as a whole, and especially as a hub for Sub-Saharan Africa.

What are the core services that Expro offers in Ghana?

Expro is recognized as the best in the world in subsea safety systems, which is one of their core services in Ghana. Another core service is well testing, where they test the production well’s viability. They also examine the exploration and appraisal wells to determine whether the tools are working, if the reservoir is flowing, and whether they expect to get good results to relay to the FPSO. The deepwater challenge is maintaining control of these wells in a safe manner. Expro’s tools are designed by an exceptional engineering team.

How did Expro’s relationship with Tullow come about?

There were only three companies in the world that could viably tender for the Jubilee project, and Expro won the contract with Tullow for exploration and appraisal at Jubilee in 2007. At that time, Expro did not have an office in Ghana, but they decided to build a bespoke facility in Ghana rather than wait for the completion phase, as their competitors did. Expro has a very practical relationship with Tullow. They have had a very aggressive completion schedule, and Expro has had to keep up with these demands. The main challenges have been sourcing equipment and, more significantly, personnel.

As the oil industry in Ghana heats up, what added pressures are put on Expro’s shoulders?

The market has opened in Ghana, and there are more contracts to be won. Expro is currently focused on consolidation and concentrating on the quality of equipment that is available in Ghana. The challenge is finding skilled personnel, and they are investing heavily in local recruitment by building the company with local Ghanaians. Until Expro reaches the point where they can deliver quality service in a safe and sustainable manner, they are not taking tenders. Expro is concentrating on steady, managed growth.

How do initiatives such as the Graduate Development Program help to empower Ghanaians?

Expro invests heavily in initiatives such as the Graduate Development Program to benefit the local communities. The company also tries to make partnerships with local vendors. Expro developed the Graduate Development Program to get the local content up to a point where they would be able to become senior operators within two years. The Program is divided into four years of six-month stages, starting locally in Ghana and moving to Expro’s offices in South Africa, as well as international training in London, Calgary, and Houston. Trainees are assessed after every stage, and the assessment gradually becomes more challenging. At the end, Expro’s Sub-Saharan country managers commit to giving preferential positioning to these graduates. There are 32 participants globally, and the two Ghanaians in the program are currently entering the second stage.

Where would you like to see Expro’s Ghanaian business in the near term?

Expro will continue to deliver excellent service to their clients in Ghana over the coming years. They would like to see their business grow steadily, managed with the utmost quality service, and prioritize safety and sustainability.