As demand for advanced oilfield technologies and drilling services grows across the continent, NOV is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s next phase of hydrocarbon development. The company’s portfolio spans drilling automation, digital well optimization, offshore rig systems, production technologies and FPSO-related equipment, placing it among the leading technology providers supporting increasingly complex African oil and gas projects.

NOV’s participation at AEW 2026 is particularly timely as mature producers such as Angola, Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea intensify drilling activity to sustain production and unlock additional reserves. At the same time, frontier markets, including Namibia, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, are advancing new offshore exploration campaigns that require advanced deepwater technologies and efficient project execution capabilities.

In Egypt, NOV recently demonstrated the impact of its digital drilling technologies through the deployment of its Drilling Beliefs & Analytics solution in the Western Desert. By leveraging remote operations and real-time monitoring of machinery and well conditions, the operator achieved the longest bit run in the field’s history while improving drilling efficiency and reducing operational costs. The project eliminated the need for multiple in-person site visits, saving approximately $75,000, highlighting how automation is increasingly reshaping Africa’s upstream sector.

NOV’s NOVOS automation platform and Kaizen AI drilling optimization systems are expected to play an increasingly important role as African operators expand offshore drilling programs where efficiency, safety and reduced non-productive time have become critical priorities.

Beyond drilling optimization, NOV continues to strengthen its role in Africa’s gas monetization drive. In 2024, the company secured multiple orders for advanced gas processing and water treatment equipment packages for floating production storage and offloading units destined for operations in West Africa. The contracts reinforce NOV’s growing participation in offshore gas infrastructure projects supporting regional energy resilience, LNG expansion and export capacity growth.

“Africa’s economic stability will depend heavily on its ability to drill more wells, develop infrastructure faster and commercialize its oil and gas resources efficiently,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The digital transformation taking place across the global energy industry cannot be ignored, and NOV is bringing advanced innovation into African oil and gas operations to simplify processes, improve safety and accelerate project delivery.”

NOV’s participation at AEW 2026 reflects its broader ambitions to scale its services across the continent. As the largest energy gathering in Africa, the event convenes operators, investors, policymakers and service providers to discuss the future of the continent’s energy sector.

Recently appointed to lead the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, Minister Onanga has already signaled a strong focus on fast-tracking projects, strengthening local content participation and positioning the Republic of Congo as a competitive regional gas hub. His agenda aligns with a period of rapid transformation in the country’s hydrocarbons sector, driven by major offshore gas developments and renewed investor momentum.

At the center of this growth is Eni’s Congo LNG project, which entered a major new phase in early 2026 with the launch of exports from the Nguya FLNG facility offshore Pointe-Noire. The startup of the second floating LNG unit has increased Congo’s liquefaction capacity to approximately 3 million tons per year, building on the earlier Tango FLNG development and reinforcing the country’s emergence as a strategic LNG exporter to international markets. Drawing gas from the offshore Nené and Litchendjili fields in the Marine XII permit, the project has become one of Africa’s most significant recent gas monetization successes and a cornerstone of Congo’s broader diversification strategy.

Momentum is also building across the country’s upstream sector. TotalEnergies continues to expand its offshore footprint through exploration activity tied to the Nzombo permit, while Perenco is advancing redevelopment work at the Kombi-Likalala-Libondo II field to sustain production and improve gas recovery. Alongside these developments, Congo has been advancing regulatory reforms aimed at attracting new capital into both oil and gas projects, including efforts to strengthen the legal framework for gas development and support future licensing activity.

As global demand for diversified gas supply continues to rise, Congo is increasingly positioning natural gas not only as an export driver, but also as a catalyst for domestic industrialization, power generation and long-term economic growth. The country’s expanding FLNG infrastructure, combined with its established offshore production base and strategic Atlantic coastline, has elevated its profile within Africa’s evolving LNG landscape and strengthened its role in supporting energy security for both regional and international markets.

“Africa is entering a new era of gas development, and the Republic of Congo is emerging as one of the continent’s most important LNG and offshore growth stories,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “With major FLNG expansion, upstream investment and a renewed focus on local content and deal execution, Congo is demonstrating how African producers can leverage gas resources to drive industrial growth, energy security and long-term economic value.”

Under the theme, “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub,” CEW 2027 will focus on transforming the Caribbean from a set of fragmented markets into an integrated, globally competitive energy corridor. Central to this vision is deeper cross-border collaboration, accelerated infrastructure development and increased capital flows across the oil, gas and LNG value chains.

Momentum across the region continues to build. In Guyana, offshore production from the ExxonMobil-led Stabroek Block averaged approximately 914,000 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2026, with output expected to exceed one million barrels per day following the startup of the Uaru development. At the same time, upstream expansion remains robust, supported by new seismic campaigns, FPSO developments and ongoing work tied to the Longtail project. In neighboring Suriname, TotalEnergies is advancing its $10.5 billion GranMorgu offshore development alongside new exploration activity, underscoring sustained investor confidence in the Guyana-Suriname Basin and reinforcing the region’s long-term growth trajectory.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the focus is shifting toward revitalizing mature gas production through new upstream partnerships and cross-border developments, including progress on projects such as Manatee and increased collaboration with Venezuela to unlock stranded reserves. At the same time, the country is advancing efforts to expand its LNG and petrochemical value chains, positioning itself to remain a key gas processing and export hub in the Atlantic Basin.

“We are seeing unprecedented upstream growth in Guyana, major project development in Suriname and renewed momentum around regional gas and LNG integration in Trinidad and Tobago,” said James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power, the event organizer. “Caribbean Energy Week 2027 is about connecting those opportunities – bringing together governments, operators and investors to unlock a truly integrated energy corridor that can compete on the global stage.”

The inaugural Caribbean Energy Week in 2026 laid a strong foundation, attracting more than 400 attendees and over 90 companies, alongside high-level ministers and industry leaders from across the region and beyond. Hosted in Paramaribo, the event facilitated critical dialogue on cooperation, investment and infrastructure, while also serving as a platform for deal-making and knowledge exchange.

Building on this momentum, CEW 2027 is set to expand in both scale and impact, offering a premier platform for strategic dialogue, project showcases and investment engagement. As global demand for diversified energy supply grows, the Caribbean is increasingly well-positioned to play a central role – one defined by collaboration, connectivity and opportunity.