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Afentra Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ian Cloke to Drive Sustainable Hydrocarbon Dialogue at African Energy Week 2023

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Ian Cloke

Afentra’s COO will drive discussions on the role of sustainable hydrocarbons in Africa’s energy transition, making a strong case for oil and gas in Africa’s energy future

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 21, 2023/APO Group/ — 

While global actors call for a shift to a renewable energy future, oil and gas serves to play a fundamental role in Africa for the long-term, providing the energy needed for the continent to industrialize and grow its economies. Integrating sustainable development practices within the African oil and gas sector, independent oil and gas company Afentra remains committed to unlocking the full potential of African oil and gas, a commitment which the company’s COO Ian Cloke is expected to drive at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) conference – scheduled for October 16-20 in Cape Town.

Cloke has worked with energy majors such as ExxonMobil and Tullow Oil, with his passion geared towards creating a sustainable energy sector

Cloke, a returning guest speaker at this year’s edition of AEW – which serves as the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent – will drive discussions on the role that sustainable hydrocarbons play in Africa’s energy transition. With over 25 years’ experience in the energy industry, Cloke has worked with energy majors such as ExxonMobil and Tullow Oil, with his passion geared towards creating a sustainable energy sector. Cloke now heads Afentra, a company determined to drive responsible growth and prosperity for all its stakeholders by focusing on the optimization of active hydrocarbon basins in Africa. Afentra’s primary objective is to support the African energy transition by taking on the responsibility of producing oil and gas in a sustainable manner and using the company’s knowledge and expertise to enhance and prolong productivity in Africa’s promising basins.

With the rest of the world pushing towards the end of fossil fuel utilization and actively seeking to invest capital that supports the transition to lower carbon economies and renewable energy technologies, Afentra is aware that developing economies lack the necessary large-scale capital to support the widespread adoption of renewable technologies and are still largely dependent on conventional energy sources. In knowing this, the company has taken the opportunity to acquire assets and employ them responsibly to achieve sustainable and low carbon outputs. While other independent oil companies have divested from assets, thereby looking towards investments in renewable energy, Afentra has established themselves as a suitable candidate for African governments in need of trading assets and a knowledgeable partner to advise and assist with low-carbon and sustainable production methods.

To this effect, Afentra is steadily expanding its presence in the African energy sector with the aim of becoming a reliable partner to both international oil companies and governments. The company has diversified its portfolio and recently made bold strides towards acquiring assets in Angola, the continent’s largest oil producer, gaining interests in two major deals – an $80 million deal with national oil company Sonangol in Block 3/05 and 23 and a $12 million deal with INA in Block 3/05 and 3/05A. This has placed them as one of the top ranked consumers of oil and gas assets in the country.

“Afentra has a pivotal role to play in spearheading Africa’s socioeconomic development by utilizing the continent’s oil and gas resources in a sustainable, responsible, and low-risk manner. The company recognizes both Africa’s pressing need to eliminate energy poverty and the global imperative to reduce carbon emissions and shift towards renewable energy. To strike a realistic balance between these two demands, Afentra has prioritized asset efficiency and profitability. As the company expands its operations in promising African markets, the outlook for the region’s oil and gas sector is bright,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding that, “Cloke’s participation at AEW 2023 will be crucial for driving discussions on the role of sustainable hydrocarbons in achieving energy security in Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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