French oil and gas companies were in the country last week to establish new business relationships in a bid to tap into prospects of the industry.

At a press briefing at the residence of Frédéric Clavier, the French Ambassador to Ghana, the French Association of Companies and Professionals in the Oil, Gas and Related Industries (GEP AFTP Association) said they were in Ghana to understand the potential business opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

“We are here to start or strengthen relationships between operators, contractors and suppliers operating in Ghana, and to meet with local companies for potential further cooperation,” said Claude Bouty, the association’s general area manager for Ghana.

Earlier, the association was received by the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel Kofi Buah, and issues relating to the industry were discussed.

The association also met with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ghana Gas Company (GGC), the Petroleum Commission, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI), French company Technip, and Tullow Oil.

“The objectives of the GEP AFTP Association are to promote the technological and industrial excellence of the French hydrocarbons industry across the world and to foster the international deployment of French oil and gas suppliers,” Mr. Bouty said.

GEP AFTP networks bring together some 1,330 members (230 corporate and 1,100 individual oil and gas professionals) whose areas of expertise cover the entire oil and gas sector.

GEP AFTP supports the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge among its individual members, and promotes the international development of its corporate members.

The French hydrocarbons industry has much strength, notably its great capacity for innovation which has enabled it to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of quality and safety.

French companies seeking opportunities include Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification in the marine industry; and COMSIP-Vince Energie GSS, a world leader in technological and engineering services with an extensive portfolio of expertise and services in all sectors of the oil and gas industry.

Others include Eiffage Construction Métallique, a longstanding leader in turnkey metallic construction, high value-added façades and industrial maintenance; Entrepose Projets, a provider of engineering, procurement, project management and construction services throughout the world; Industrial Scientific, a world leader in the provision of gas detection as a service; and Oldham, a key player in safety -- specifically in fixed gas and flame-detection systems.

The rest are Recherche Exploitation Produits (REP), an independent company specialising in the research, development, formulation, manufacturing, and marketing of chemical products; SPIE Oil and Gas Services, which covers a wide range of activities relating to oil and gas on-shore and off-shore projects; and Vallourec, a world leader in premium tubular solutions primarily serving the energy markets, as well as other industrial applications. In 2012, Vallourec’s global sales amounted to €5.3billion.