AfrOil - Africa Oil & Gas
Uganda gives Oranto, Armour permission to proceed with exploration
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has authorised two foreign companies to continue exploration work in the Lake Albert region.
South Africa unveils draft version of petroleum law
South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy recently unveiled a proposed oil and gas law that would reserve a minority stake in exploration and development projects for the government.
Somalia’s upper house passes Petroleum Law in third reading
The Federal Republic of Somalia has taken a step towards the introduction of a new law that will govern the oil and gas industry.
Algerian government wants a closer look at Energean/Edison deal
The Algerian government has asked Italy’s Edison to discuss its upcoming acquisition by UK-listed Energean.
Nigeria LNG makes FID on Train 7 expansion project
The Nigeria LNG (NLNG) consortium revealed in late December that it had made a final investment decision (FID) on the construction of a seventh production train at its natural gas liquefaction plant on Bonny Island.
Turkish-Libyan maritime accord raising tensions
Tensions remain high in the Eastern Mediterranean as Turkey talks about conducting joint exploration work with Libya and blocking the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline.
Indonesian company preparing to drill at Mozambique’s Búzi block
Buzi Hydrocarbons, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Energi Mega Persada (EMP), is reportedly preparing to drill its first exploration well at the onshore Búzi block in central Mozambique.
Equatorial Guinea extends ExxonMobil’s licence for two offshore blocks
Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons reported on December 16 that it had extended ExxonMobil’s licence for two offshore blocks known as EG-11 and EG-06.
NNPC, partners sign FEED contract for condensate refinery project
State-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) and two private Nigerian companies signed a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for a condensate refinery project at the weekend.
Algeria’s new president seen aiming for more oil and gas investment
Algeria’s government is likely to continue seeking foreign investment for oil and gas projects following the election of Abdelmadjid Tebboune as president.
Springfield Energy confirms major oil discovery offshore Ghana
Springfield Exploration and Production (SEP) confirmed last week that it had discovered sizeable hydrocarbon reserves at West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP Block 2), located offshore Ghana.
Nigeria LNG signs gas delivery deal with Vitol, finds gas for Train 7
Nigeria LNG (NLNG) has signed a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Vitol, the international commodities trading giant.
Total-led group extends licence for Angola's Block 17
A consortium led by France’s Total has secured an extension to its production licence for Block 17, located offshore Angola. The block is home to Girassol, Pazflor and other oilfields.
Sonangol cancels Cabinda deal, extends Soyo bidding
Management shake-up at Tullow
Tullow Oil's CEO and exploration director have stepped down following setbacks in Ghana, Uganda and Guyana.
NEWSBASE: A closer look at Niger with Savannah Petroleum
Savannah is working to expand Niger’s oil production capacity in the Agadem Rift Basin, and it believes the country has the potential to attract additional outside investment.
Angola sees oil production rising 3.3% next year
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Diamantino Azevedo said on December 5 that his country was on track to see oil production rise next year.
Algeria remains opposed to plan for sale of Anadarko assets
Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab said last week that Sonatrach, the national oil company (NOC), was opposed to a US partner’s plan to divest some of its assets.
Sonangol cancels United Shine’s contract for Cabinda refinery
Angola’s national oil company (NOC) Sonangol revealed last week that it had cancelled a contract with the United Shine consortium for the construction of a refinery in Cabinda Province.
Nigeria’s Axxela pledges to expand West African gas transport infrastructure
Nigeria’s Axxela has pledged to continue working to expand its transportation network for natural gas in West Africa.
OPEC+ agrees to deepen cuts
AFC signs up for Guinean downstream project
Woodside and partners submit development plan for Sangomar block
Australia’s Woodside Energy and its partners are moving closer to making a final investment decision (FID) on the development of Sangomar, an oil- and gas-bearing block formerly known as SNE that is located offshore Senegal.
NOC head warns of further production stoppages after retaking El Feel oilfield
Mustafa Sanalla, the chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC), said last week that his company might have to suspend production at El Feel (also known as Elephant) and other oilfields in the event of further fighting at upstream sites.
Equatorial Guinea names winners of 2019 licensing round
The government of Equatorial Guinea named the winners of its 2019 licensing round last week, saying that it had awarded concessions for nine blocks to seven international companies.
TOR signs deal to refine crude
An uneasy year for OPEC – and its member states
NewsBase examines issues confronting some OPEC member states in Africa and South America.
Tanzanian government to discuss PSA concerns with potential investors
Tanzania’s government intends to convene a roundtable meeting to address potential investors’ concerns about the legal regime covering production-sharing agreements (PSAs) for crude oil and natural gas fields.
Angolan oil minister says ANPG should receive larger share of oil profits
Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s minister of mineral resources and oil, has expressed support for moves to raise the government’s share of profit from producing oilfields.
Sudan, South Sudan extend oil agreement until March 2022
The governments of Sudan and South Sudan have arranged to extend the term of a bilateral agreement on co-operation in the oil and gas sector.
Mozambique LNG to receive $400mn loan from AfDB
The African Development Bank has approved a $400mn long-term senior loan to support the Mozambique LNG project, which is being developed by a consortium led by France’s Total.
Nigeria’s regulatory regime a source of concern for local companies
Local business leaders are speaking out following the adoption of amendments to Nigeria’s deepwater contracts law.
Total touts its commitment to Nigeria’s master plan for natural gas
Total is committed to abiding by the Nigerian government’s plan for optimising the use of domestic natural gas resources, a representative of the French major’s Nigerian affiliate has said.
NOC subsidiary restarts production at 40-year-old well
A wholly owned subsidiary of Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corp. (NOC) has restarted production at a 40-year-old well drilled at the Messla field.
Springfield Energy completes drilling programme offshore Ghana
Springfield Energy, an independent Ghanaian company, has reported that it has wrapped up its drilling programme at West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP Block 2), its licence area offshore Ghana.
Senegal discusses gas-to-power plans
Senegal’s Petroleum and Energy Minister Mahamadou Makhtar Cisse said last week that his country was keen to use its offshore reserves of natural gas as fuel for electricity generation.
Sonatrach sees pipeline gas sales sinking, spot LNG sales rising
Sonatrach, Algeria’s national oil company (NOC), anticipates a sharp drop in natural gas sales this year.
South Africa’s DNG preparing to start LNG bunkering
South African infrastructure company DNG Energy has said it will start LNG bunkering operations in Algoa Bay in the second quarter of 2020.
African officials highlight continuing importance of oil and gas
Despite climate concerns, African officials continue to view fossil fuels as an important driver of economic growth and development.
NNPC head comments on next bidding round, talks on amendments to contract law
The head of NNPC says Nigeria's next bidding round will take place in mid-2020, after the conclusion of talks with investors about amendments to the contract law covering deepwater development.
ONHYM chief: Morocco remains committed to proposed Atlantic gas pipeline
The head of Morocco's government says the country remains committed to the construction of the Atlantic pipeline, which will pump natural gas from Nigeria to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Springfield Energy reportedly makes big oil find offshore Ghana
Springfield Energy, an independent Ghanaian company, has reportedly discovered reserves of crude oil at an offshore licence area known as West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP Block 2).
Second phase of development underway at Libya’s Faregh gas field
A subsidiary of Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) has successfully launched the second phase of development work at the Faregh natural gas field.
Tunisia sees Nawara gas field coming online by year-end
Slim Feriani, Tunisia’s Minister of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, said last week that his country was on track to bring the Nawara natural gas field on stream by the end of the year.
Nigeria says it is complying with OPEC’s production policy
A high-ranking representative of NNPC declared last week that Nigeria was in compliance with OPEC’s production quotas.
Uganda tests tertiary recovery methods for Lake Albert oilfields
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has launched a pilot programme that involves using tertiary recovery methods to increase yields at crude oil deposits.
Equatorial Guinea approves plan to have Saipem build offshore gas line
Equatorial Guinea has approved the award of a contract to Saipem for the construction of a pipeline that will connect Noble Energy's offshore gas field to the petrochemical complex that is being built at Punto Europa.
Total seen gearing up to sell 12.5% stake in OML 118
France’s Total is reportedly looking to unload its minority stake in OML 118, a deepwater field located offshore Nigeria.
Total’s South African subsidiary reports on work at Brulpadda field
Total’s South African subsidiary is making progress at Brulpadda, an offshore field within Block 11B/12B.
PetroSA, Rosgeologia continue talks on offshore Blocks 9 and 11A
South Africa’s national oil company (NOC) PetroSA is reportedly still in talks with Rosgeologia, Russia’s state geological concern, on participation in the development of two offshore blocks.
Mozambique’s LNG players note progress
Comments from this week’s Africa Oil Week conference highlight steps being taken by Mozambique’s LNG developers as the country’s nascent LNG industry takes shape.
Nigeria amends deepwater contract law
Amid efforts to recover $62bn in purportedly lost revenues, Nigeria’s president has endorsed amendments to the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act.
Aker changes approach to Pecan oil project in Ghana
Norway’s Aker Energy said last week that it would have to revise its plans for the development of Pecan, an oilfield that lies within the DWT/CTP block, in light of a dispute with the government of Ghana.
Renergen signs two contracts for work on Virginia Gas Project
South Africa’s Renergen is moving forward with work on the Virginia Gas Project, which will be the country’s first commercial LNG plant, as well as the first liquid helium plant in Africa.
Senegal launches first bidding round
Senegal’s Oil Minister Mahamadou Makhtar Cisse launched the country’s first oil and gas bidding round on November 5.
Nigeria urged to expand use of gas
The Nigerian government’s oil and gas regulatory agency has released a report urging the country to make better use of its natural gas reserves.
Kosmos Energy reports oil find offshore Equatorial Guinea
US-based Kosmos Energy has discovered crude oil in the Rio Muni Basin, located offshore Equatorial Guinea.
Moscow’s new African initiatives
Russian companies and African states signed a number of new memoranda last week at the first Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi
Angola and Zambia return to pipeline plans
BP, Kosmos find large gas reserves offshore Mauritania
BP and Kosmos Energy have announced a large gas find offshore Mauritania, near the maritime border with Senegal.
SAOGA chief raises questions about the future role of gas, LNG in IRP
The head of the South African Oil and Gas Alliance (SAOGA) has raised questions about the role that natural gas will play in the implementation of the government’s new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
Eni, Nigerian partners begin gas production at Obiafu 41
A joint venture led by Italy’s Eni has begun extracting natural gas and condensate from Obiafu 41, a new site in the Niger River Delta.
Gas production set to rise soon at Libya’s Faregh field
Waha Oil Co. (WOC), a subsidiary of Libya’s National Oil Co. (NOC), has begun test operations for the second phase of development at Faregh, a natural gas and condensate field.
NOC officials say Libya needs reform to boost oil production
Representatives of Libya’s National Oil Co. (NOC) said at an industry forum in Tunis last week that the country was capable of increasing crude oil production levels significantly – but that it would have to work hard to achieve this goal.
Sonatrach weighs in on draft energy law
Sonatrach has spoken out in favour of the caretaker government’s plans for a new energy law, but the matter is far from settled.
Uganda aims to wrap up second licensing round by end-2020
Uganda’s government hopes to sign contracts for the five blocks included in its second licensing round by the end of 2020, according to Energy Minister Irene Muloni.
Gunvor, Swiss prosecutors strike settlement deal on African corruption case
Gunvor, one of the world’s largest crude oil trading companies, has settled a criminal case in Switzerland regarding its activities in Cote d’Ivoire and the Republic of Congo.
Sudan, Ethiopia agree to build joint oil pipeline
The governments of Sudan and Ethiopia are reportedly planning to work together to build a crude oil pipeline capable of serving both countries.
Sylva: Nigeria does not expect full recovery of $62bn claims against investors
Nigeria does not expect to recover all of the $62bn in claims it has lodged against oil companies.
Angola hopes reforms will help boost oil production, attract investment
Jose Massano, the governor of Angola’s Central Bank, hopes the government’s plans for economic reform will facilitate efforts to privatise key state-owned enterprises, including a stake in the national oil company (NOC), Sonangol.
Nigeria heads for a fight (and probably a settlement) with IOCs
Nigeria's push to collect $62bn from oil companies in purportedly lost revenues is likely to lead to a negotiated settlement.
Tanzania launches three-well exploration drilling campaign
Tanzania Petroleum Development Corp. (TPDC) said last week that it had begun work on a three-well exploration drilling programme in the Eyasi Wembere Basin.
ANPG representative comments on Angola’s new lease management policy
Belarmino Chittargueleca, the head of the exploration and production department of ANPG, said last week that Angola’s decision to alter the way it manages the use and ownership of its hydrocarbons reserves was already starting to pay off.
South Sudan unveils medium and long-term oil production goals
A representative of South Sudan’s Petroleum Ministry reported last week that his country had set medium and long-term goals for oil production.
Nigerian minister may have spilled the beans about OPEC quota increase
OPEC appears to have granted Nigeria a higher production quota without announcing its decision, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva may have been the first to make the information public.
Senegal postpones bidding round until November 4
Senegal’s government was due to launch a new licensing round last week, but it has postponed bidding by nearly a month.
Mozambique takes a big step towards becoming a major player on global gas markets
With MRV’s initial investment decision and EPC contract award, Mozambique has taken a step towards becoming a major player on global gas markets.
Libya’s NOC demands – and receives – crucial state funding
The head of Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) said recently that the company needed more money to head off a steep decline in production.
Chinese companies reportedly keen to expand operations in South Sudan
China is reportedly interested in expanding investments in South Sudan’s oil sector.
Engen reportedly headed for IPO in H1-2020
Engen, a petroleum refiner and retailer that operates in seven African countries, is reportedly gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) of stock.
Nigerian minister comments on compliance with OPEC quotas
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva said last week that his country was determined to meet its obligations as a member of OPEC by complying with the group’s oil production quotas.
Buhari comments on Nigerian government’s plans for new oil law, security measures
Muhammudu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, said last week that his administration hoped to ratify a new version of the law governing the oil industry in the near future.
NNPC chief comments on Nigerian compliance with OPEC production policy
NNPC's chief says Nigeria is not fully compliant with OPEC production policy but plans to make cuts.
Nilepet comments on 2020 licensing round, future plans
South Sudan has reiterated its commitment to launching its next licensing round in the near future.
Libyan oil sector facing multiple challenges
Libya’s National Oil Company (NOC) has had to deal with a series of challenges in recent weeks.
Mozambique will seek $880mn in capital gains tax from Anadarko
Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi hopes that US-based Occidental Petroleum’s takeover of Anadarko Petroleum, another US company, will generate extra tax revenue for his government.
Ugandan official says collapse of Tullow’s farm-out deal does not derail oil industry
A Ugandan official said last week that the country’s nascent oil industry was not doomed because of the collapse of Tullow Oil’s $900mn farm-out deal with France’s Total and China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) for the Lake Albert project.
Total comments on Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 project
France’s Total has reiterated its commitment to the expansion of the Nigeria LNG complex.
Senegal looking more attractive after latest offshore discovery
Senegal's upcoming offshore bidding round is likely to draw more interest in the wake of BP's discovery of sizeable gas reserves at the Yakaar-Terenga field.
NNPC says rehab programme will allow refineries to operate at full capacity
NNPC has announced plans to overhaul and repair all of its oil refineries in less than three years.
Uganda still wants Tullow’s FID on Lake Albert project by December 31
Robert Kasande, the permanent secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy, said last week that Kampala still hoped to see UK-listed Tullow Oil make a final investment decision (FID) on its Lake Albert block.
Nigeria LNG seeking $10bn in financing for Train 7 expansion scheme
Tony Attah, the CEO of Nigeria LNG (NLNG), said last week that the consortium intended to finance a $10bn expansion project through a combination of debt and equity.
Winners of Angolan bidding round will be able to develop gas as well as oil
Angola will permit the winners of its next offshore bidding round to develop natural gas as well as oil, a representative of the national hydrocarbons agency noted last week.
Fuel price pinch in East Africa
TPI urges fossil fuel industry to face up to climate change
New hope for African light sweet crude?
African light sweet crude production could serve as an alternative to Arab Light and Arab Extra Light – but only if Saudi production outages are not reversed quickly.
South Africa gives Eni, Sasol green light for exploration drilling at Block ER236
Italy’s Eni and its South African partner Sasol have gained permission to conduct exploration drilling within Block ER236, an offshore licence area in the Indian Ocean.
New Age M12 Holdings finalises sale of 25% stake in Marine XII to Lukoil
New Age M12 Holdings has wrapped up the sale of its 25% stake in Marine XII, a shallow-water block located offshore Republic of Congo, to Lukoil, Russia’s largest privately owned oil operator.
Nigeria LNG names international consortium as winner of EPC contract for Train 7
Nigeria LNG has taken a step toward making a final investment decision (FID) on plans for the construction of a seventh production train at the Bonny Island gas liquefaction plant.
Nigerian analyst comments on US shale boom’s consequences for Africa
US operators may be benefitting from the shale oil boom, but their gains have come at the expense of African producers, according to a Nigerian analyst.
Draft law awards South Africa’s government a 10% stake in new projects
South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy hopes to revive a proposal to award an equity stake in every new oil and gas project to the government at no cost.
Nigeria’s CESL arranges to buy Armada Perdana FPSO from Malaysian company
Malaysia’s Bumi Armada said last week that it had arranged to sell a floating production, storage and off-loading (FPSO) unit to Century Energy Services Ltd (CESL) of Nigeria.
Will Tanzania’s loss be Kenya’s gain?
Nairobi’s talk about working with Uganda to build an oil export pipeline is not likely to lead to much concrete action.
Libya’s NOC halts kerosene deliveries to eastern regions
Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) has suspended deliveries of kerosene to areas in the centre and the east that were not under the control of the government in Tripoli.
Ahead of ICJ hearing, Somalia denies Kenyan claims on offshore auctions
Somalia’s government has denied claims that it intends to head off a pending arbitration case by auctioning off a number of offshore blocks that may contain crude oil and natural gas near its disputed maritime border with Kenya.
US court rejects efforts by ExxonMobil, Shell to collect compensation from Nigeria
ExxonMobil (US) and Royal Dutch Shell (UK-Netherlands) have suffered a setback in their attempt to enforce an arbitration court’s ruling against Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC).
Fuels in focus in East Africa
Motor fuel prices drop slightly in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s government has slightly reduced its ceiling for motor fuel prices, marking the first weekly decline since January 13.
Springfield Energy to use Stena Forth for Ghana’s first deepwater drilling deal
Springfield Energy has arranged to use a drillship owned by Stena Drilling for the first deepwater drilling campaign in Ghana’s offshore zone.
Sudan: What’s at stake
This essay will take a brief look at what’s at stake – at the oil and gas infrastructure that Sudan still has, even after the loss of its most hydrocarbon-rich territories.
NNPC head sees Nigerian oil output rising to 2.5mn bpd next year
The new head of Nigeria’s national oil company (NOC) has expressed optimism about his country’s ability to increase oil production in the short term.
Noble Energy finds oil offshore Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons revealed last week that Noble Energy has discovered new oil reserves at Block 1, an offshore licence area that lies east of Bioko Island.
Tullow backs out of Ugandan farm-in deal with Total and CNOOC
Tullow Oil has terminated a farm-in deal with France’s Total and CNOOC for the Lake Albert project in Uganda.
South Sudan reports two new oil discoveries
CNPC’s large new oilfield should help Juba bring production back up, and a smaller find could establish a path towards diversification.
Nigerian judge reinstates SPDC’s licence for OML 11
SPDC scored a victory in court last week, when a Nigerian judge ordered the government to reinstate its licence for OML 11, a block in the south-eastern Niger River Delta.
LADOL battling lawsuits from Samsung, Africoat
Nigeria’s campaign to increase the use of local content in oil and gas projects is suffering setbacks, as the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) is embroiled in legal battles with two key partners.
SBIDZ actively seeking new partners for oil and gas operations base
Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) is moving closer to establishing itself as South Africa’s only oil and gas operations base operated exclusively by domestic companies.
Kenyan government prepares to explain its plan for use of oil revenues
A team of Kenyan government officials will travel to Turkana County this week to inform residents of the area about plans for the use of future crude oil revenues.
First West African LNG regas plant to be built in Equatorial Guinea
An LNG regasification and storage plant is set to be built in Equatorial Guinea – the first such project in West Africa – as the country advances its plans to develop gas-to-power infrastructure.
Lamu Port’s first berth to be commissioned in October
BW Energy spuds exploration well offshore Gabon
The Anglo-Norwegian company BW Energy and its partners have begun drilling a new vertical exploration well at Hibiscus Updip, a prospect within the Dussafu Marin contract area offshore Gabon.
Namibian official explains rejection of refinery proposals
Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy confirmed last week that it was not yet ready to approve any of the proposals it has received for the construction of an oil refinery.
Nigerian government criticises SPDC’s attempt to retain OML 11 operatorship
Nigeria’s federal government has signalled that it will continue to battle Royal Dutch Shell’s attempt to regain its position as operator of Oil Mining Lease 11 (OML 11).
Nigeria prepares for audit of downstream sector
The government of Nigeria is gearing up to conduct a wide-ranging audit of the country’s downstream oil and gas infrastructure.
IHS Markit to host roadshow presentations for Angola’s next licensing round
IHS Markit has agreed to assist Angola’s National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels, known as APNG, with its next licensing round, which is due to take place in September.
Kenyan government to endorse Qatar Petroleum’s farm-in deal for Lamu blocks
Kenya’s government intends to endorse Qatar Petroleum’s plans to join an offshore oil exploration project in the Lamu Basin.
Kenya seeks funds to make LAPSSET progress
First stone laid for Mozambique LNG
NNPC talks up security links
Genel plans African farm-outs
Fitch warns of sub-Saharan squeeze
The NDDC caper
TransGlobe ramps up output
Gas flexibility coming to Ghana
Gas can now be moved both ways on a section of the WAGP in Ghana, allowing increased use of its domestic gas resources
Kenya completes first berth at Lamu Port
Future threats to African LNG
With hackers targeting African energy operators, LNG producers should look for ways to fend off cybersecurity threats.
Oriental Energy confirms oil discovery at offshore Nigerian field
Oriental Energy Resources (OERL), a privately owned Nigerian operator, has confirmed reports of its oil discovery at the offshore Ebok field.
Kenya becomes an oil exporter
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta revealed last week that the country had become an exporter of crude oil.
Geo Associates to begin exploration drilling in Zimbabwe in H2-2020
Geo Associates, an Australian-Zimbabwean venture that serves as operator of the oil-bearing Muzarabani block, is reportedly set to begin exploration drilling on schedule in the second half of next year.
Closure of valve leads to production stoppages at Libya’s El Sharara oilfield
Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) said last week that it had suspended production at the El Sharara oilfield because of equipment problems.
NNPC, Eland achieve first oil at Gbetiokun offshore Nigeria
Aberdeen-based Eland Oil & Gas and Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) have brought the Gbetiokun oilfield, located offshore Nigeria in the Northwest Niger River Delta, on stream.
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