Trident Energy applies its Equatorial Guinea operating model to Congo’s mature oilfields

London-based independent oil and gas company Trident Energy is advancing the development of its assets in the Republic of Congo (RoC). According to the African Energy Chamber (AEC), Trident’s move into the RoC marks a new phase in its Central African growth strategy, bringing its focus to revitalising mature offshore assets, improving efficiency and building local capability.

Following its 2025 acquisition of interests in the Nkossa, Nsoko II, Lianzi and Moho-Bilondo fields, all offshore oil and gas assets located in the Republic of Congo’s Atlantic offshore basin, the company is applying an operating model developed through its earlier work in Equatorial Guinea, the AEC said in a press release on May 25. Rather than pursuing new exploration-led growth, Trident’s approach centres on extending the life of existing fields through targeted investment and operational improvements.

In Congo, the company now holds an 85% operated interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields, alongside non-operated stakes in Moho-Bilondo and Lianzi. Production at Nkossa and Nsoko began in 1996 and 2006 respectively, and Trident is aiming to improve recovery and sustain output from assets with production licences extending into 2039 and 2040.

The company plans to achieve this through well revitalisation, stimulation programmes and additional drilling activity designed to unlock value from existing infrastructure and reverse production decline. This reflects a broader trend among independent operators seeking opportunities in brownfield assets that larger companies may no longer prioritise, says the AEC.

According to the Chamber, Trident’s experience in Equatorial Guinea provides a useful example of this strategy. After acquiring assets from Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES) in 2017, the company introduced a programme focused on infrastructure upgrades, infill drilling, topside improvements and operational discipline. At the Ceiba and Okume projects, these efforts delivered a 37% increase in production.

Key initiatives included a $57mn investment in Okume Central to improve water injection and power capacity, installation of the country’s first electrical submersible pumps, upgrades to gas lift systems at the Ceiba field and the launch of a new deepwater drilling campaign. The results demonstrated that mature African fields could remain commercially competitive when managed with technical focus and targeted investment.

Local workforce development is another central element of Trident’s model, says the Chamber. In Equatorial Guinea, the company invested in training, leadership development, local recruitment and structured career progression to move nationals into senior operational roles. Its sustainability programme also supports skills transfer, local supply chains and investment in education and infrastructure.

“Trident Energy has shown that mature African assets can remain globally competitive when operators combine technical discipline with a genuine commitment to local talent development,” said AEC’s executive chairman NJ Ayuk. “Congo has not only gained an experienced operator; it has gained a company that understands how to create long-term value through efficiency, workforce development and sustained investment in African expertise.”