Vaalco Energy, a US-based independent energy company, has completed the third phase of its offshore drilling campaign in Gabon, reporting positive results from the ETSEM-3H well in the Southeast Etame field.

Vaalco achieved a stabilized initial production rate of around 2,000 barrels of oil per day (bbl/d) gross, including 1,140 bbl/d net to the company, according to a press release by the company.

The well was drilled with a 300-meter lateral wellbore and encountered net pay in high-quality Gamba reservoir sands.

“This represents the final well in our successful Phase 3 drilling campaign, and the drilling rig has now been demobilized from the field,” said George Maxwell, CEO of Vaalco Energy.

Separately, the company has started the fifth phase of its drilling campaign at the Baobab field offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with the production expected to come online near the end of 2026.

“Following the successful restart of the Baobab field during the second quarter, we have now commenced the Phase 5 drilling campaign with batch-setting the top-hole sections of the new wells,” Maxwell said.

The campaign is planned to include four production wells, three water injectors and two workovers. Vaalco expects the new wells to deliver meaningful production increases in 2027, according to Maxwell.

Vaalco has a diversified portfolio of production, development and exploration assets in Gabon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea.