Accra: Upstream service provider, Halliburton Ghana Operations Limited, has committed an estimated US$15 million in advanced petroleum engineering software, training, and academic support under a new partnership with the Petroleum Commission, Ghana, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). This initiative aims to strengthen local capacity and develop the country's next generation of upstream professionals.
According to Ghana News Agency, the agreement will see Halliburton donating industry-leading petroleum engineering software to KNUST's Department of Petroleum Engineering. Additionally, the partnership will provide training support for students and faculty members, and bolster academic research efforts. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes Halliburton's commitment to providing technical support through software donations, training programs, and research support at a cost of US$15.1 million.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Emeafa Hardcastle, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, described the partnership as a strategic investment in Ghana's future petroleum workforce. "The Commission is pleased to collaborate with Halliburton on local content initiatives aimed at strengthening capacity development and maximizing value creation in Ghana's upstream petroleum sector, particularly in human resource development," she stated.
Halliburton views the partnership as part of its broader commitment to developing local expertise across Africa. Mr. Antoine Berel, Vice President of Halliburton for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the importance of investing in Ghanaian talent to build a resilient and competitive energy sector. "We believe sustainable value creation comes from empowering local institutions with the tools, knowledge, and practical experience they need. This collaboration reflects Halliburton's long-standing commitment to developing local content," he said.
The agreement establishes a structured framework for knowledge exchange and long-term cooperation between the Petroleum Commission and Halliburton. It builds on an existing relationship between the two organizations, expanding a previous MoU signed in 2019 that focused on supporting the capacity development of the Petroleum Commission's engineering and geoscience staff. The new partnership extends this collaboration to Ghana's tertiary institutions, helping to create a pipeline of highly skilled professionals for the upstream petroleum industry.
The Petroleum Commission has increasingly positioned capacity building as a key pillar of Ghana's local content agenda, encouraging international oil and gas companies to invest not only in infrastructure but also in the development of Ghanaian expertise. The Commission stated that the partnership would help connect global industry leaders with Ghanaian universities, ensuring that future petroleum engineers graduate with practical experience using internationally recognized technologies while strengthening research and innovation within higher education institutions.
Other officials present at the signing ceremony included Mr. Craig Beebee, Senior Business Development Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa North at Halliburton, Ms. Paulina Effisah, Government Relations and Local Content Manager at Halliburton, and members of the Executive Management of the Petroleum Commission.