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Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Ink Milestone Oil & Gas Agreement for Chevron Operated Block 14

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Oil & Gas

The Agreement aims to enhance regional cooperation, solidifying Angola’s pivotal role in fostering collaboration and partnership across Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 13, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are set to make history with the signing of an agreement for the development of Block 14 on Thursday 13 July in Kinshasa. The agreement, set to be signed by Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas of the Republic of Angola and his DRC counterpart Minister Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, will mark a major milestone in the collaboration between the two African nations and holds immense significance for both countries.

The signing of the agreement will authorize the Block’s ownership, with the DRC and Angola taking a 30% stake each while global energy major – and block operator –Chevron taking a 40% stake. The signing puts an end to decades-long deliberations between the countries and is a testament to both Minister Azevedo and Minister Ntubuanga’s commitment to advancing oil and gas exploration on the back of regional collaboration.

For Angola, the signing enables the country to leverage its experience as a major oil producer to grow both its domestic market and the regional economy. Boasting an abundant 9 billion barrels of oil reserves and producing over 1.08 million barrels of oil per day (February 2023), Angola stands out as an African oil powerhouse. The country has done exceptionally well in harnessing its own resources to advance economic growth, and continues to drive a series of impactful project developments across the entire energy value chain. This success makes the country the partner of choice for up-and-coming oil producers such as the DRC.

This landmark deal not only paves the way for extensive exploration activities in the DRC, but also serves as a catalyst for promoting regional collaborations

By leveraging its position as a significant oil producer, Angola seeks to advance regional basin development and encourage cooperation across the African energy industry. Sharing knowledge and expertise with the DRC will not only strengthen their bilateral relations but also contribute to the overall growth and stability of the region.

For the DRC, this represents a breakthrough in its pursuit of new oil supplies and joint development opportunities. The signing of the deal and associated development of the Block will enable the DRC to increase daily crude oil production. As one of the largest countries in Africa, the DRC has long sought to tap into its abundant natural resources, especially its unexploited oil deposits. The country boasts up to five billion barrels of reserves, and the agreement with Angola paves the way for several paths of cooperation and significant information exchange, allowing the DRC to capitalize on Angola’s profound expertise and extensive experience as a prominent oil producer. This partnership is set to unlock several exchanges across a range of areas, including but not limited to technology transfer, best practices in exploration and production, refining and processing techniques, and efficient management of oil resources. Angola’s valuable insights and lessons learned can be instrumental in enhancing the DRC’s own oil sector, optimizing its operations, and maximizing the economic potential of its petroleum resources.

The Chamber acknowledges and commends both governments and their respective teams for their exceptional leadership and dedication in successfully finalizing this monumental deal. The negotiation process for this agreement spanned an impressive two-decade period, during which the combined efforts of both governments were crucial in overcoming various challenges and preventing further delays on the project.

This landmark deal not only paves the way for extensive exploration activities in the DRC, but also serves as a catalyst for promoting regional collaborations. By fostering partnerships and cooperation, this agreement unlocks significant opportunities for cross-border initiatives and mutually beneficial ventures among neighboring countries.

The African Energy Chamber recognizes the immense significance of this achievement, which has been made possible through the unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit demonstrated by both governments and their dedicated teams. Their unwavering determination and tireless efforts have paved the way for a new era of exploration and regional cooperation in the DRC and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

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