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African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 Shines a Spotlight on Equatorial Guinea’s Regional Gas Ambitions

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African Energy Week

An Invest in Equatorial Guinea Energies session at African Energy Week 2023 examined the country’s current partnerships and future investment needs, with an emphasis on natural gas monetization

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 19, 2023/APO Group/ — 

African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 featured an Invest in Equatorial Guinea Energies strategic session on Thursday, examining the West African country’s partnerships and investment needs, while showcasing the success of its energy sector to date.

Sponsored by national oil company (NOC), GEPetrol, the session commenced with opening remarks from Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Antonio Oburu Ondo, who emphasized the country’s ongoing investment drive and receptive operating environment.

“We are open for business, we are open to host new investors and we are inviting you to be very pragmatic when you approach Equatorial Guinea,” said Minister Ondo.

The session discussed Equatorial Guinea’s burgeoning role as a regional hub for gas liquefaction and distribution. Under its flagship Gas Mega Hub development, the country has laid the foundation to monetize stranded gas resources in both domestic and regional basins, supported by both public and private sector actors. 

“Our main objective is to do business and maximize the profitability of our company, but on the other hand, as the NOC, we have to make sure that the policies are successfully implemented. Therefore, we are acting as an intermediary between companies and the government,” stated Teresa Isabel Nnang Avomo, Managing Director for GEPetrol.

“We work to support oil and gas and we work to support the government,” stated Dr. Nosa Omorodion, Director of National Directorates and Independents for West Africa at SLB.

The speakers discussed the favorable business and investment environment in Equatorial Guinea, highlighting its comprehensive and energy-specific legislative and regulatory frameworks as key pillars for exploration and production activities in the country.

“Kosmos is part of the success of the oil and gas industry in Equatorial Guinea,” stated Fidel Envo, Vice President and Country Manager of Equatorial Guinea for Kosmos Energy. “We are committed to Equatorial Guinea and have long-term plans for the exploration sector.”

When service companies want to come to Equatorial Guinea, they should not be worried that they are meeting the right companies

“We have operated in Equatorial Guinea since the 2000s and have seen a lot of pragmatism in the country,” affirmed Sebastian Wagner, Managing Director for Atlas Petroleum.

“Our objective is to narrow the gap between Final Investment Decisions and Annual Operating Income,” stated Serafin Ncogo Eyang, Strategic Planning Manager for Liquefied Natural Gas company, EG LNG.

With over five trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves and a strong infrastructure base, Equatorial Guinea has been making significant strides towards establishing itself as a regional gas processing hub. Under the country’s GMH initiative, the government has partnered with a strong slate of foreign energy firms to scale-up project developments and unlock untapped reserves across West Africa.

“In Equatorial Guinea, we are well known for flexibility,” stated Oscar Garcia Berniko, Director of Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons. “We are also open to consider special fiscal terms depending on the particular block an investor might be interested in.”

“The key component of our role is to put together a project that is going to work, where the capital is understood and where the whole system is well understood,” stated Scott Childres, Director of Mid-Africa for Chevron. “This helps partners engage in bilateral agreements.”

Positioned as a sustainable energy solution, natural gas has taken on a pivotal role as a catalyst for diversified and industrialized growth in Equatorial Guinea. The panel highlighted local content development, value addition and localization as imperatives when it comes to natural gas exploration and development. 

“We are the product of local content in Equatorial Guinea,” stated Pablo Memba, CEO of Grupo Memba. “When service companies want to come to Equatorial Guinea, they should not be worried that they are meeting the right companies. They should be confident in the country as an established and secure investment decision.”

As global interest in African gas heightens, Equatorial Guinea’s strong regulatory foundation, commitment to mutually beneficial investment terms and wealth of opportunities are poised to unlock further development prospects for the country. Additionally, with local content, regional cooperation and technology development at its core, the country’s ambitions to become a regional energy hub are set to drive the next wave of sustainable growth in West Africa.

#AEW2023 takes place this week in Cape Town under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030. The conference and exhibition serves as the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders and policymakers on the continent and is organized by the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber. Keep following www.AECWeek.com for more exciting information and updates about Africa’s premier energy event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Genesis Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Discuss Energy Expansion at Congo Energy & Investment Forum

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Genesis Energy

Akinwole Omoboriowo II will discuss Genesis Energy’s plan to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, highlighting how Nigeria’s power sector experience can inform the development of the Republic of Congo’s domestic energy grid and gas export potential

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO of Genesis Energy, will speak at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March, where he will discuss the company’s plans to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, with a focus on energy initiatives that align with the Republic of Congo’s energy development goals.

Genesis Energy is driving transformational power projects, including providing 334MW to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria and plans to produce 1 GW within the WAEMU region. In October 2024, Genesis and BPA Komani announced their strategic partnership to mobilize capital and facilitate critical infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa. Additionally, Genesis’ recent MOU with the U.S. Agency for International Development will mobilize $10 billion for green energy and renewable projects, supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

During CEIF 2025, Omoboriowo will explore how Genesis’ successful energy infrastructure development projects in Africa, combined with private sector innovation, can guide the Republic of Congo in strengthening its energy security and achieving its decarbonization goals. By leveraging its expertise in clean energy and strategic partnerships, Genesis Energy is poised to play a key role in helping the Republic of Congo harness its energy potential and expand its regional energy influence.

The Republic of Congo’s renewable energy sector is in a phase of growth, with increasing interest in solar, hydro and wind energy projects. Battery energy storage capacities are also gaining traction as a vital component of the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand. The government is focusing on diversifying its energy mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability. Looking ahead, the Congo aims to expand its renewable energy capacity and integrate storage solutions to meet growing domestic and regional energy needs while supporting environmental sustainability.

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

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Eni, TotalEnergies Announce New Exploration Projects in Libya

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National Oil Corporation

Eni is launching three exploration plays, TotalEnergies is expecting promising results from its recent onshore exploration project, and other developments were shared during an upstream IOC-led panel at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on January 18.

Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.

“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields. “We expect results next week,” he added.

Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated. He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.

Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.

We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore

“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”

“Innovation is key to maximizing production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.

Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalization.”

“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximizing production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”

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

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Libya’s Oil Minister: Brownfields, Local Investment Key to 2M Barrels Per Day (BPD) Production

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Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister outlined plans to boost production to 1.6 million bpd in 2025 and 2 million bpd long-term, with brownfield development and local investment at the core, during the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya is setting its sights on boosting oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years, with brownfield development and local investment identified as critical drivers of this growth. Speaking at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) in Tripoli on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek outlined the country’s strategy to reach 1.6 million bpd by year-end and laid the groundwork for longer-term growth.

“There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks,” stated Minister Abdulsadek during the Ministerial Panel, Global Energy Alliance – Uniting for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. “We want to make sure local oil companies take part. We also want to leverage the upcoming licensing round to support our planned growth in the oil sector.”

The minister’s remarks were complemented by a strong call for international participation in Libya’s upcoming licensing round, signaling the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and maximizing the potential of its energy sector.

Highlighting Libya’s vast natural gas potential – with reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic meters – Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressed the need for enhanced investment in gas projects. He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the $600 million El Sharara refinery as opportunities to stimulate economic diversification.

There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks

“Natural gas is available,” Hamel stated, adding, “It is the greenest of hydrocarbons and we see natural gas continuing to grow until 2050.”

The panel also tackled the global energy transition, emphasizing Africa’s unique challenges and the need for the continent to harness its resources to achieve energy security. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), underscored the critical need for finance, technology and reliable markets to drive progress.

“At APPO, we have noted three specific challenges for the African continent. Finance, technology and reliable markets,” he stated, questioning whether Africa can continue to depend on external forces to develop its resources.

As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Libya holds an estimated 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The country’s efforts to expand production, attract investment and drive innovation are central to the discussions at LEES 2025. Endorsed by the Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Oil Corporation, the summit has established itself as the leading platform for driving Libya’s energy transformation and exploring its impact on global markets.

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

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