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Sonatrach-ExxonMobil Gas Deal to Open New Play in the Ahnet-Gourara Basin

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Sonatrach

The deal signifies a pivotal step in Algeria’s hydrocarbon development, marking a strategic partnership aimed at tapping into the nation’s gas reserves

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 24, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Algeria’s state oil company Sonatrach and energy major ExxonMobil have signed a deal to develop two major gas fields in southern Algeria’s Ahnet and Gourara basins. The agreement, signed by Sonatrach’s Chief Executive Rachid Hachichi and ExxonMobil’s Head of Exploration John Ardill represents a milestone in Algeria’s energy sector, highlighting substantial progress and newfound opportunities for investment. Both parties will prioritize technological advancements alongside the adoption of best sustainability practices and environmental protection measures.

As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) strongly supports this agreement and its role in fostering collaboration between international oil companies (IOC) and African nations. Such partnerships are vital for unlocking Africa’s vast energy potential – a focus of the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy in Cape Town from November 4-8.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Algeria’s partnership with ExxonMobil signifies a pivotal moment for the country’s energy landscape

Algeria, a key gas exporter to Europe, is strategically positioning itself as a player in the global energy market through the facilitation of collaborations with IOCs. The anticipated synergy with ExxonMobil is set to bolster Algeria’s capability to address escalating energy needs. In 2022, Algeria led Africa in natural gas production, reaching a record 132.7 billion cubic meters. The country’s output continued to rise, exceeding 136 billion cubic meters in 2023, with natural gas contributing two-thirds of its total oil equivalent production. Through comprehensive exploration campaigns and targeted initiatives, the nation aims to unlock untapped reserves, fostering partnerships and driving sustainable development across its energy sector.

Algeria’s proactive engagement with IOCs and utilization of technological advancements position it to effectively leverage its abundant natural resources to meet the increasing energy demands of both domestic and international markets. These developments are encouraged by the nation’s Hydrocarbon Law, implemented in 2019, which aims to simplify fiscal terms to entice investment and accelerate exploration efforts. In addition to ExxonMobil, these measures have enticed other players to invest. Multinational energy company Chevron is showing interest in tapping into Algeria’s gas-rich Ahnet, Gourara and Berkine basins, while Indonesia’s national oil company Pertamina plans to invest over $800 million in the Menzel Lejmat Nord block. Pertamina hopes to drill 12 oil wells in Block 405a. Additionally, TotalEnergies signed an MoU with Sonatrach last month to develop gas resources in the North-East Timimoun region, focusing on cost reduction and emissions management.

Meanwhile, Algeria is set to invest $50 billion in oil and gas projects by 2027, aiming to boost production from assets like the Hassi R’Mel gas field and bring new developments online. Sonatrach has recently initiated phase two of the southwest gas project, launching three key fields – Hassi Ba Hamou, Hassi Tidjerane, and Tinerkouk.

Algeria’s strategic approach to develop its oil and gas resources will be complemented by ExxonMobil’s extensive experience and longstanding commitment to energy development in Africa. ExxonMobil has a rich history of over a century of operations in Africa, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to the region’s energy development. Since 2006, the company has pledged more than $46 billion to investments across the continent, underscoring its dedication to driving economic growth and sustainable energy solutions across the continent. The partnership between Algeria and ExxonMobil will therefore be instrumental in enhancing exploration efficiency, optimizing production processes, ensuring sustainable resource utilization practices and leveraging the company’s extensive experience and track record in managing complex energy projects across Africa.

“Algeria’s partnership with ExxonMobil signifies a pivotal moment for the country’s energy landscape. It underscores the potential for collaboration between African nations and IOCs to unlock energy resources, ultimately driving sustainable development and eliminating energy poverty across the continent,” states NJ Ayuk Executive Chairman of the AEC. “By forging such partnerships, Algeria not only secures access to advanced technologies and expertise but also positions itself as a regional gas exporter to European nations.”

This partnership signifies a crucial effort to revitalize Algeria’s energy sector, presenting opportunities for responsible and sustainable utilization of its abundant natural resources. This year’s AEW theme – Energy Growth through an Enabling Environment – perfectly aligns with Algeria’s approach to attracting investment and fostering sustainable energy practices through partnerships. This signifies Algeria’s commitment to energy sustainability, resonating with the broader objectives of the AEW: Invest in African Energy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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