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African Energy Chamber (AEC), Equatorial Guinea Discuss Hydrocarbon Regulation, Enabling Environments

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African Energy Chamber

The African Energy Chamber met with Equatorial Guinea’s Vice Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, H.E. Domingo Mba Esono, to discuss how the country can strengthen its investment environment and the role African Energy Week will play in securing new capital for Equatorial Guinean energy projects

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 7, 2023/APO Group/ — 

As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org), remains committed to facilitating investment across the continent in pursuit of making energy poverty history by 2030. This week, the Chamber met with Equatorial Guinea’s newly appointed Vice Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, H.E. Domingo Mba Esono, where discussions centered on strengthening both the country’s and the CEMAC region’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

After congratulating H.E. Esono’s appointment as Vice Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons in February 2023, the AEC went on to discuss the organization’s openness and willingness to support the Ministry as it moves to unlock sizable and long-term growth across the natural resource sector. As a country rich with oil (1.1 billion barrels) and natural gas (1.5 trillion cubic feet), Equatorial Guinea is committed to positioning itself as a regional hub, with initiatives such as the Gas Mega Hub – a comprehensive framework that aims to monetize offshore regional gas reserves while consolidating the country’s position as Africa’s top processing hub – representing key drivers of investment and global player participation. 

Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas resources, as well as its critical role as a regional hydrocarbon hub, represent the solution to addressing energy poverty in Africa

While the initiative has been largely successful to date, significant levels of investment are still needed if the country is to unlock the full potential of its resources, while scaling up production capacity and exports. As such, the AEC-Equatorial Guinea meeting discussed the need for the country to adapt its hydrocarbon regulations to attract more investment in the sector, particularly as the country begins to compete with other African nations and regions which have more flexible regimes.

Forming a key member of the wider CEMAC region, Equatorial Guinea’s restrictions regarding securing investment can be somewhat attributed to unfavorable policies implemented under regional law. The AEC has called for amendments to CEMAC regulations to enable countries such as Equatorial Guinea to attract the investment they need, but domestic regulatory reforms are also needed to enhance competitiveness. During the meeting, both the AEC and H.E. Esono emphasized this very point while highlighting the role the upcoming Hydrocarbons Law is set to play in incentivizing investment, with terms and policies implemented under this important piece of legislature likely to accelerate capital commitments across the country.

“Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas resources, as well as its critical role as a regional hydrocarbon hub, represent the solution to addressing energy poverty in Africa, kickstarting a new era of industrialization while unlocking long-term and sustainable socioeconomic growth. While the country has been largely successful with regards to monetizing both domestic and regional offshore resources, opportunities for sectoral expansion call for heightened foreign investment as well as global players participation. As such, there has never been a more critical time for the country to establish an enabling environment for investment,” stated Leoncio Amada NZE, Executive President of the African Energy ChamberCEMAC region, adding that, “The country needs to make some sacrifices in terms of regulations that will favor investment. By putting in place attractive fiscal terms, Equatorial Guinea will be well positioned to maximize the full potential of the entire region’s energy resources.” 

Currently, Equatorial Guinea – under the leadership of the newly appointed Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons, H.E. Antonio Oburu Ondo, as well as Vice Minister H.E. Osono – has set forth an ambitious exploration and production agenda that hinges on the country’s ability to secure foreign investment. As declines in legacy fields begin to pose a threat to production, the country is seeking fresh capital and partnerships with the aim of increasing exploration and adding new reserves to declining and mature fields. Just this year, the country signed two production sharing contracts (PSC) with Africa Oil Corporation and an additional PSC with Panoro Energy, a step in the right direction towards improving exploration. However, with much more exploration required to recover production levels, strengthening the enabling environment is critical.

As Equatorial Guinea improves its environment for investment, the upcoming edition of the continent’s premier energy event, African Energy Week (AEW) – taking place in Cape Town from October 16-20 – will be key for facilitating new investment in the expanding market. As regulations such as the Hydrocarbon Law are implemented, the country’s attractiveness for foreign capital will increase, and AEW 2023 will ensure global investments and E&P players alike are connected with these opportunities. With H.E. Esono indicating his willingness to participate at the next leg of the AEC’s investment roadshow – the Invest in African Energy Dubai, taking place on March 30 – the country is positioning itself for long-term partnerships on the back of an enabling environment. 

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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Etu Energias

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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Energy

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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