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APO Group appoints Bas Wijne as Chief Operating Officer

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Wijne

Wijne will look to help the company continue its impressive growth trajectory after year-over-year revenue increases of 40% in 2021 and 60% in 2022

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 5, 2024/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is delighted to announce the appointment of Bas Wijne as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

In his new role, Bas will look to help the company continue its impressive growth trajectory after year-over-year revenue increases of 40% in 2021 and 60% in 2022. Bas will be responsible for enhancing operational processes, coordinating the integration of new technical innovations, and driving efficiencies in all areas of the business.

One of Bas’s key objectives will be to oversee several projects that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), both in terms of APO Group’s internal and external operations, with a particular focus on how the company can harness the power of AI to better serve its clients.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the media and technology industries, Bas is perfectly placed to manage the development of both APO Group’s core services. The company’s unique Public Relations department delivers truly Pan-African communications support to some of the most prominent companies operating on the continent, while its press release distribution service is the most comprehensive in Africa.

Bas has a long-standing relationship with APO Group that included a spell as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) from 2019-21. His appointment as COO will allow him to demonstrate his data-driven approach and passion for technological innovation.

APO Group has long fostered a unique environment where technical evolution and human expertise can flourish together. As COO, Bas places great emphasis on the power of simplification, recognizing it as the cornerstone of operational excellence. He is committed to making processes lighter and simplifying the customer user experience to create a culture of transparency and agility for APO Group’s colleagues and clients.

As I have already seen over the last few years, there is a wonderful, natural mix of great people, great ideas and cutting edge technology here

Bas has enjoyed a distinguished career as a senior executive on the global stage. His expertise has taken him around the world, from The Netherlands to South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, USA, Uganda, China and the United Arab Emirates.

He worked for more than a decade at leading broadcast media company OSN, where he was responsible for establishing a new ‘Business Services’ Team (an internal team of Project Managers and Business Analysts) to improve the company’s operations and customer experience.

His roles have included CEO, CTO, and Vice-President positions, and he has led a series of digital transformation projects, operational optimisations, and strategic growth initiatives, while also being responsible for managing large teams of operational staff.

This global experience makes him well-equipped to coordinate APO Group’s diverse workforce.  As the only genuinely Pan-African Public Relations agency, APO Group has colleagues operating ‘on the ground’ in every corner of the continent, so Bas’s ability to inspire cross-cultural teams and foster collaboration will be vitally important.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better fit for the role of Chief Operating Officer,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group. “Not only is Bas a veteran of many successful senior management positions at some of the biggest media companies in the world, he has also worked closely with our team before, building a level of trust and confidence we could not have found with any other candidate. We are thrilled to have Bas working with us as we continue to grow.”

“I have always felt that APO Group is a unique company to work for,” said Bas Wijne, Chief Operating Officer of APO Group. “As I have already seen over the last few years, there is a wonderful, natural mix of great people, great ideas and cutting edge technology here, and we lead the way in African communications with our unique model of press release distribution and Public Relations expertise. I look forward to exploring new ways to add value to our clients in my new role.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

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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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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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