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Angola’s Sanha Project to Start Operations Next Month, Says Chevron at African Energy Week (AEW) 2024

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Sanha Project

The Sanha Lean Gas Connection project will deliver gas to the Angolan LNG facility

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 5, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Sanha Lean Gas Connection Project in Angola will start production in December 2024, according to Chevron. Speaking during an Invest in Angola Energies roundtable – sponsored by the ANPG, Sonangol, Azule Energy and ACREP – at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2024 on Monday, Toni Henning, Commercial General Manager at Chevron’s Southern Africa Strategic Business Unit, said that the project will deliver gas to the Angola LNG facility.  

The $300 million project comprises the development of a platform that ties into the existing Sanha Condensate complex. Developed by Chevron, the project serves as part of a series of gas-focused investments the company is undertaking in Angola alongside various partners.  

“We have been in Angola for 70 years and it has only been possible because of our strong partners. We lead in gas and have a couple of projects underway. Sanha Lean Gas has always been part of our gas profile in Angola. We had it fabricated in Lobito, with 1,000 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs created,” Henning said.  

In addition to the Sanha project, Angola’s New Gas Consortium (NGC) expects production to start at the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields in late-2025 or early-2026, according to Adriano Mongini, CEO of NGC operator Azule Energy.  

“The project is progressing well and we are planning start-up for late-2025. This is the first non-associated gas project in Angola, and hopefully, the first of many,” he said.  

Beyond gas, Angola – sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest oil producer – aims to maintain production above one million barrels per day beyond 2027. To achieve this, the government is incentivizing investment in exploration, with the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) preparing to launch its 2025 Bid Round in Q1 of next year. The round features part of a series of reforms aimed at driving exploration and production.  

“We wanted to make the business environment more transparent and more competitive. We have marginal field opportunities and new legislation for gas, making it possible for investors to have gas rights,” said Alcides Andrades, Executive Board Member, ANPG.  

We have marginal field opportunities and new legislation for gas, making it possible for investors to have gas rights

Through its multi-faceted investment approach, Angola is consolidating its position as an oil and gas heavyweight, and recent developments point to that. TotalEnergies and project partners on the Kaminho Development in Block 20/11 made $6 billion FID in 2024, for example.  

According to Rui Rodrigues, Director, TotalEnergies EP Angola, “the significance of the Kaminho project is that we are opening a new province in Angola. The majority of Angola’s production is derived from the north, but with Kaminho, we are diversifying supply.” He added that TotalEnergies is “on track to deliver the project by 2028.”  

TotalEnergies also anticipates the Begonia field development to start production in the coming months. McDermott International is leading the EPC support for the project. Mahesh Swaminathan, Senior Vice President: Global Business Vertical Head at McDermott International explained that “from an engineering perspective, we are nearly done. The vessel will enter any time soon. We are nearly completed and it’s an exciting development.”  

In addition to Begonia, McDermott International is focusing on capacity building in Angola. Swaminathan said that “We are setting up an engineering office in Angola, where we will train engineers from across the world.”  

Beyond Kaminho, Angola has an exciting pipeline of projects underway. Katrina Fisher, Lead Country Manager and General Manager at ExxonMobil, shared insight into Block 15 – one of Angola’s longest-producing assets.  

“We celebrated our 30th anniversary of Block 15 in August 2024 and we also recently made a discovery – Likember-01 – at the block, representing our 19th discovery at Block 15. With this, we have increased our production by 30% and offset decline.”  

Angola’s NOC Sonangol – in addition to driving upstream projects – is committed to boosting refining capacity in Angola. Sonangol’s Board Director Kátia Epalanga said that “We are seeking more than 400,000 bpd in refining capacity by 2027. The three new refineries underway will help us reach this capacity.”  

For international service companies such as SLB, Angola is ripe with opportunity. According to SLB’s Managing Director – Central, East and Southern Africa, Miguel Baptista, “In 2024, we celebrated 55 years of operations in Angola. We continue to see a lot of activity happening across the life of the oilfield. With this, there is good opportunity for the industry to push the boundaries of technology.”  

Angola also represents an exciting market for independents. Afentra, for example, which entered the market three years ago, is “focusing on growth in Angola: growth on the Kwanza Basin, growth on Block 3/05 and growth with regards to new deals,” according to the company’s COO Ian Cloke. Cloke considers Angola to be “a fantastic market to be in.”  

The same can be said for AA&R Investment, which has not yet entered the Angolan market. Abdullahi Bashir, Haske Group, the company’s Managing Director, explained that “Angola is the right place to be and we are looking for opportunity there. We are looking at onshore and offshore blocks and we are looking at participating in the bid round.”  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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RIOT Network and MediaTek collaboration expands digital access in South Africa through innovative, community-driven Wi-Fi solutions

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MediaTek

RIOT Network aims to make fast, unlimited Wi-Fi services accessible for people in townships and underserved communities

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 22, 2024/APO Group/ — 

MediaTek (www.MediaTek.com), a global fabless semiconductor company powering nearly 2 billion connected devices a year, and RIOT Network (https://RIOT.Network), a community mobile broadband provider in South Africa, have announced the successful integration of Mediatek’s Filogic 830 (https://apo-opa.co/3CIbkNl) chipset into RIOT’s second-generation CROWDNet Core Nodes.

The successful deployment of the CROWDNet nodes has enabled RIOT Network to achieve its aim of offering uncapped internet at an affordable price of R99 per month, and to do so profitably. To date, RIOT Network, in partnership with Sonke Telecommunications, has leveraged the nodes to connect more than 800 households and 5000 users in Olievenhoutbosch to uncapped Wi-Fi services.

RIOT Network aims to make fast, unlimited Wi-Fi services accessible for people in townships and underserved communities. Its CROWDNet Nodes, enable an innovative model for deploying user-operated network infrastructure. Community members serve as operators of some of the core network devices to earn a share of the fee from neighbours who use the service.

With each new connection, RIOT Network is highlighting the role of innovative fixed-wireless solutions in extending broadband access and improving digital inclusivity

CROWDNet powered by MediaTek Filogic 830 brings affordable, last-kilometre broadband to communities where it is not commercially viable to deploy towers or fibre. The MediaTek Filogic 830 is a high-performance SoC for routers, repeaters, access points and mesh networking devices. The SoC enables device makers to build-in powerful applications based on an energy-efficient, Wi-Fi 6-ready platform.

“The Mediatek’s Filogic 830 chipset delivers a unique balance of high performance and cost-efficiency, allowing us to keep operational costs low while maximising network reliability and speed,” said Jarryd Bekker, CEO at RIOT Network. “This combination of affordability and sustainable business growth is pivotal to our vision of expanding digital access in underserved communities. Our work in Olievenhoutbosch near Centurion demonstrates the power of reliable, affordable internet, creating new opportunities for economic and social engagement.”

“With each new connection, RIOT Network is highlighting the role of innovative fixed-wireless solutions in extending broadband access and improving digital inclusivity,” said Rami Osman (https://apo-opa.co/4ghZBUn), Director for Business Development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to supporting RIOT in building a future where high-quality internet is accessible and impactful for all.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MediaTek Inc

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Endorses Inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, Catalyzing Growth in the Republic of Congo’s Energy Sector

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African Energy Chamber

The African Energy Chamber proudly supports the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, scheduled for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, November 21, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The African Energy Chamber (AEC), as the voice of Africa’s energy sector, proudly supports the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), set to take place in Brazzaville on March 25-26, 2025. Unveiled during African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town by the Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons, this milestone event signals the nation’s commitment to strengthening its role as a key energy player on the continent, while showcasing a range of investment opportunities. 

Under the leadership of Hydrocarbons Minister Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, the Republic of Congo has emerged as sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer, with anticipated production of 280,000 barrels per day (BPD) by the end of 2024 and ambitions to reach 500,000 BPD within three to five years. Building on this momentum, the CEIF will highlight innovative projects and foster strategic partnerships that enhance investment, drive economic growth and position the Congo as a leader in Africa’s energy expansion.

Meanwhile, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), led by CEO Maixent Raoul Ominga, is spearheading the Congo’s energy growth. SNPC holds a majority stake in the Mengo Kundji Bindi II permit, with 2.5 billion barrels of estimated oil potential. The company is developing the site through 13 wells, 3D seismic data acquisition, and the construction of six production platforms. 

We are honored to secure the Chamber’s endorsement for this pivotal forum

With the Chamber’s official support, the CEIF is set to attract government leaders, C-suite executives from major IOCs and energy experts, who will offer critical insights into Congo’s oil, gas and energy sector developments. The country is overhauling its gas sector to unlock 10 trillion cubic feet of resources through a comprehensive Gas Master Plan and new Gas Code that introduces favorable fiscal terms and enables small-scale project development, as well as large-scale, integrated gas megaprojects like Eni’s Congo LNG and Wing Wah’s Bango Kayo. 

“The Congo Energy & Investment Forum marks a major milestone for the country, amplifying its strategic energy initiatives and showing industry stakeholders that it is serious about advancing its energy sector. We look forward to supporting this forum, which promises to connect investors, drive impactful partnerships and elevate the Congo’s position within Africa’s energy sector,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.  

“We are honored to secure the Chamber’s endorsement for this pivotal forum, which, through its vast network and influence, will help attract key stakeholders and decision-makers to the event. Together, we aim to highlight the immense potential of the Congo’s energy sector, foster strategic partnerships and drive transformative investments that contribute to sustainable growth across the industry,” notes James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power, organizers of the CEIF.   

This premier forum provides a unique platform for connecting local and international investors with high-impact opportunities across a diversified range of energy projects, paving the way for collaborations that drive growth and transformation. The AEC’s endorsement underscores its commitment to fostering strategic partnerships, sustainable investment and regional cooperation, aligning with its broader mission to make energy poverty history across the continent by 2030.  

As the energy industry continues to serve as a critical pillar of the Congolese economy and a catalyst for sustainable development, the AEC remains dedicated to supporting initiatives like CEIF that foster progress, investment and partnerships across the African energy landscape. 

For more information, please visit www.CongoEnergyInvestment.com

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

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Any Successful African Energy Policy at Conference of the Parties (COP) or Anywhere Must Have Oil and Gas at its Core (By NJ Ayuk)

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Conference of the Parties

Africa will need global financial systems, including multilateral development banks, to play a significant role in financing our energy growth which must include fossil fuels

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 21, 2024/APO Group/ — 

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org).

I believe the ultimate responsibility for getting there is ours and no one else’s. Yes, we need partners to walk alongside us, but the success of our energy movement rests on African shoulders.

To begin with, I would love to see African energy stakeholders speaking in a unified voice about African energy industry goals.

This will be particularly important in COP29 in Baku. It is imperative that African leaders present a unified voice and strategy for African energy transitions. We must make Africa’s unique needs and circumstances clear and explain the critical role that oil and gas will play in helping Africa achieve net-zero emissions in coming decades.

I would encourage African leaders to talk about the need for financing, as well, to make it possible for us to adopt renewable energy sources and set up the necessary infrastructure. Africa will need global financial systems, including multilateral development banks, to play a significant role in financing our energy growth which must include fossil fuels.

Africa’s governments have a role to play in a successful African energy movement as well.

Because Africa’s energy industry still can benefit greatly from the presence of international oil companies, our government leaders need to approve contracts with oil and gas companies promptly instead of allowing red tape to delay projects after discoveries are made.

And, they need to offer the kinds of fiscal policies that allow oil companies to operate profitably in Africa. In turn, that will help those companies generate revenue, create jobs and business opportunities, and foster capacity building.

I also would encourage governments and civil societies to reward companies that exemplify positive behavior. Let’s incentivize the kind of activities we want, from creating good jobs and training opportunities to sharing knowledge.

I would love to see African energy stakeholders speaking in a unified voice about African energy industry goals

And there’s more.

We in Africa must work together to create more opportunities for women to build careers in the oil and gas industry at all levels. Our energy industry can’t reach its potential to do good when half of our population is left out. Our progress on behalf of women has not been great—We need to do better, and we need to act quickly.

How the world can support

Now, I mean it when I say Africans are responsible for building the future they want. But, I would love to see Western governments, businesses, financial institutions, and organizations support our efforts.

How? They can avoid demonizing the oil and gas industry. We see it constantly, in the media, in policy and investment decisions, and in calls for Africa to leave our fossil fuels in the ground. Actions like these, even as Western leaders have pushed OPEC to produce oil, are not fair, and they’re not helpful.

I also would respectfully ask financial institutions to resume financing for African oil and gas projects and stop attempting to block projects like the East African Crude Oil pipeline or Mozambique’s LNG projects.

Please understand that with the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis in Europe, and the energy poverty facing our continent, our countries, like many others, are simply choosing the paths they believe are most likely to help their people.

You know, people for years have accused me of loving oil and gas companies more than Africa. The opposite is true. In my frequent travels around the continent, I’ve observed far too many young people with little in the way of opportunities.

I know our young people have aspirations for a better future. I know they have big dreams. And, I know that future is nearly within their grasp.

A thriving, strategically managed energy industry can make it possible for many of these young people, whether it leads to good jobs or it fosters the kind of economic growth that creates jobs in other fields. Even if we only get the lights on in their communities, we’ll be giving our young people hope and improving their chances of realizing their goals.

This is what drives me, the idea that with our ongoing efforts and determination, our young people can realize meaningful opportunities. I encourage each of you to work with us at the African Energy Chamber, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. Together, we can build the kind of African energy movement that our continent, our communities, and our young people need and deserve.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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