Vaalco Energy reported early progress from its Gabon drilling program and said it has been confirmed as operator of the Kossipo field offshore Côte d’Ivoire, as it pursues production growth in both countries.

In Côte d’Ivoire, Vaalco Energy said it will operate Kossipo on the CI-40 block with a 60% working interest, while PetroCI holds the remaining 40%. The Kossipo discovery dates to 2002 and was appraised in 2019.

The company said it expects to complete a field development plan in the second half of 2026, supported by new ocean bottom node seismic data that is informing an updated evaluation and development plan.

Kossipo is estimated to hold gross 2C resources of about 102 million barrels of oil equivalent and around 293 million barrels of oil equivalent in place. The field lies southwest of the Baobab field and was appraised by the Kossipo-2A well, which tested at more than 7,000 barrels of oil per day.

Vaalco Energy added that the Baobab Ivorien FPSO is currently off the east coast of Africa and is expected to return offshore Côte d’Ivoire in late March.

In Gabon, Vaalco Energy said it drilled, completed and brought onstream the Etame 15H-ST development well in the 1V block of the Etame field. The well encountered a 250 m lateral of net pay in high-quality Gamba sands near the top of the reservoir.

The well stabilized at about 2,000 gross barrels of oil per day with a 38% water cut, producing through a 42/64 choke and an electric submersible pump operating at 54 Hz. The company said this was consistent with expectations based on earlier pilot well results.

Vaalco Energy said it is actively managing the well to stabilize pressure and manage the reservoir.

The company also spudded the West Etame step-out exploration well in mid-February from the S1 slot on the Etame platform. The Etame West prospect has a 57% chance of geologic success and is expected to reach the target zone in mid-March. If successful, the prospect could add production and reserves to the company’s 2026 year-end totals.

Chief Executive George Maxwell said the early-2026 developments support the company’s plan to deliver 225% organic production growth by 2030, and said Vaalco Energy is working with PetroCI to submit the Kossipo field development plan in the second half of 2026.