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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Promotes Attractive African Oil & Gas (O&G) Prospects and Regulations at AAPG

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African Energy Chamber

African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 will showcase Africa’s changing regulatory environment and lucrative investment opportunities available for American and global geologists and investors

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African nations rich in hydrocarbon resources are revamping regulatory frameworks and introducing new licensing rounds, creating a more favorable environment for global oil and gas firms seeking high-return investments. State-owned energy company the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company launched an international bid round offering 12 blocks for exploration to boost reserves and hydrocarbon production in August 2024. Similarly, Zanzibar extended the deadline for its first offshore licensing round – offering eight oil and gas blocks – until September 2024 while Nigeria unveiled a licensing round in May 2024, featuring 12 deep offshore and shallow water blocks. 

To showcase the diverse opportunities and regulatory changes advancing the growth of Africa’s energy industry, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) – serving as the voice of the African energy sector – participated in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) annual conference in Houston last week. Led by Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President of the AEC, the Chamber delivered a presentation titled Africa Energy Diversity of Opportunity and the Regulatory Attractions for Investors, showcasing burgeoning opportunities within Africa’s upstream sector. 

Licensing Rounds and Growing Prospects 
Several new licensing rounds are scheduled for 2024 and beyond in Africa, all of which aim to significantly increase commercial prospects for American firms operating across Africa. Notably, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) is set to launch a licensing round offering blocks in the Murzuq, Ghadames and Sirte basins towards the end of 2024 and early 2025. Algeria will also offer between 10 and 12 onshore blocks in its 2024 Bid Round to bolster its gas and LNG production while Angola plans to launch its 2025 Bid Round in the first quarter of 2025, offering 10 offshore blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela basins. With oil and gas projected to comprise over 50% of global energy consumption by 2050 – according to a report distributed by energy major ExxonMobil -, Africa’s vast and largely untapped resources offer a significant opportunity to enhance U.S.-Africa energy cooperation to meet this growing demand. 

Regulatory Revamps and Africa-US Collaboration 
During his presentation, Ayukegba underscored Africa’s improved operating environment and the opportunities emerging for American geologists, explorers and investors in the upstream sector. Nigeria, for example, enacted the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, leading to the creation of specialized regulators – including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) – as well as greater fiscals that have significantly improved the industry environment for investors. Angola has also embarked on continuous reforms to maintain its competitive edge, creating the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency in 2019 which simplified the process of awarding new licenses through multi-year bid rounds. With Africa’s policy and upstream environments rapidly improving, American geologists and companies stand to play an even greater role in advancing exploration and kickstarting industry-changing projects.  

Beyond seismic firms, U.S.-based E&P companies are making great strides towards maximizing Africa’s oil and gas resources through frontier exploration and incremental production. ExxonMobil, for example, drilled the Likembe-01 research well in Angola’s Block 15 in May 2024, discovering hydrocarbons as part of a broader multi-well program aimed at increasing reserves and production. The company announced that it could invest up to $15 billion in exploration and production in Angola’s Namibe basin through 2030 following commercial success at ongoing drilling campaigns. The find follows another discovery made by the company at the Bavuca Sul-1 exploration well in November 2022. 

Meanwhile, Chevron signed contracts for ultra-deepwater Blocks 49 and 50 in Angola’s Lower Congo basin in June 2024 and entered into production sharing agreements for offshore Blocks EG-06 and EG-11 with Equatorial Guinea’s National Oil Company GEPetrol. In May 2024, Chevron acquired an 80% operating working interest in the PEL 82 exploration license offshore Namibia, aligning with its efforts to expand its presence in the highly prospective Namibian basin. Additionally, Chevron is conducting its first oil and gas exploration well in the Red Sea concession area offshore Egypt as part of a $50 million capital injection this year. In Nigeria, Chevron is engaged in a $1.4 billion exploration campaign with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, drilling 37 wells in the offshore and onshore Escravos area of the Niger Delta from 2022 through 2026. 

These are just some of the examples of U.S.-based energy companies advancing oil and gas development in Africa. The AECs participation at the AAPG event comes ahead of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – taking place November 4-8 in Cape Town. As African hydrocarbon markets enhance their respective regulatory frameworks, the AEW: Invest in African Energy will connect African energy regulators, industry leaders and American and global investors to facilitate deal signings and strategic partnerships.  

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 http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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IsDBI

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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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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