CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 21, 2026/APO Group/ –Independent E&P company Meren Energy will participate at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16 – as a Silver Partner, showcasing its evolution into a major independent upstream producer with a balance portfolio spanning high-margin production in Nigeria and world-class exploration opportunities across the Orange Basin. The company arrives at the event following a transformational year marketed by a corporate rebrand, a major portfolio consolidation and a sharpened focus on delivering long-term production growth.

 

Formerly Africa Oil Corp., Meren Energy completed its corporate rebrand in May 2025, reflecting its transition from an exploration-led company into a full-cycle upstream producer. The transformation accelerated with the completion of its Prime Oil & Gas consolidation in July 2025, which doubled the company’s working interest production and reserves while strengthening its cash flow through expanded interests in Nigeria’s prolific deepwater assets.

Today, Nigeria represents the cornerstone of Meren’s business. Through interests in Prime, the company holds stakes in some of the country’s largest offshore producing fields, including Akpo, Egina and Agbami. These assets underpin virtually all of the company’s current cash flow, benefitting from premium Brent-linked pricing, low lifting costs and long-life production.

The strategy has translated into a strong financial position. During the first quarter of 2026, Meren reported entitlement production of approximately 31,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (bpd) while maintaining guidance for an average of roughly 30,000 bpd for the year. The company also strengthened its balance sheet by refinancing its reserve-based lending facility, increasing commitments to $600 million with maturity extended to 2032, while continuing to return capital to shareholders through quarterly dividends.

Alongside its producing portfolio, Meren is positioning itself for the next phase of growth through one of the world’s most closely watched emerging petroleum provinces: the Orange Basin.

In Namibia, the company retains an effective interest in the giant Venus discovery through its investment in Impact Oil & Gas. Following a corporate restructuring announced in May 2026, Impact has become a streamlined Namibia-focused company dedicated to advancing the Venus development toward final investment decision. The project, led by TotalEnergies, ranks among Africa’s largest recent offshore discoveries and is expected to become one of the continent’s most significant new sources of oil production later this decade.

While Impact concentrates exclusively on Namibia, Meren continues to directly hold an 18% interest in South Africa’s Block 3B/4B in the Orange Basin, where high-impact exploration drilling is anticipated. The company also maintains operated exploration acreage in Equatorial Guinea, providing additional long-term exploration upside alongside its producing assets. ​

“Meren Energy represents the evolution of Africa’s independent upstream sector. By combining strong producing assets with strategic investments in frontier basins like the Orange Basin, the company is demonstrating how African-focused independents can deliver both shareholder value and long-term energy development,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

At AEW 2026, Meren Energy is expected to engage investors, operators and government stakeholders on opportunities across its diversified portfolio, with particular emphasis on the Venus development, exploration potential in South Africa’s Orange Basin and continued investment in Nigeria’s offshore sector. As a Silver Partner, the company reinforces its commitment to advancing Africa’s next generation of upstream projects while supporting the continent’s growing role in global energy supply.  ​

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 17, 2026/APO Group/ –As Venezuela accelerates efforts to revitalize its energy sector and attract international investment, Venezuela Energy Week 2026 will host an exclusive Industry Showcase in London on July 30, bringing together investors, financial institutions, international oil companies, commodity traders and energy executives for market intelligence, networking and partnership development ahead of the flagship conference taking place this October in Caracas.

 

Designed as a strategic preview of the main event, the London showcase will provide UK and European stakeholders with first-hand insight into Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape while creating opportunities for commercial dialogue with industry leaders, potential partners and key decision-makers.

Home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves and significant natural gas resources, Venezuela is entering a new phase of energy development focused on increasing production, expanding gas commercialization and modernizing critical infrastructure. Ongoing reforms and renewed international engagement are creating opportunities for companies able to provide capital, technology and technical expertise.

The timing is particularly significant as several UK and European energy companies continue to strengthen their presence in Venezuela. UK-based majors Shell and BP are advancing key natural gas developments, with Shell preparing for 2027 drilling at the Dragon offshore gas project and BP signing agreements in April to develop the Cocuina-Manakin offshore gas field, marking its return to the Venezuelan market. Spain’s Repsol recently announced plans to increase production from its Venezuelan assets, while Italy’s Eni is relaunching a heavy crude project in the Orinoco Belt. France’s Maurel & Prom, meanwhile, remains a key partner in strategic assets such as the Urdaneta Oeste field. On the trading and commercialization front, Geneva-headquartered energy trader Vitol has renewed its engagement with Venezuelan crude exports, reflecting broader international interest in reconnecting the country’s resources with global markets.

Against this backdrop, the London Industry Showcase will highlight Venezuela’s re-emerging investment potential while creating a platform for strategic networking and direct engagement with government leaders, national energy companies, regulators and private sector partners.

The event is expected to attract representatives from investment funds, export credit agencies, commercial banks, private equity firms, commodity traders, engineering companies, technology providers and UK-based independent energy companies exploring opportunities across Venezuela’s energy value chain.

The showcase will also provide an exclusive preview of Venezuela Energy Week 2026, including ministerial dialogues, executive forums, technical conferences and dedicated business-to-business networking sessions designed to connect international investors with the decision-makers shaping the country’s energy future.

Taking place on October 26–29, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela Energy Week serves as the country’s premier platform for advancing investment across the oil, gas and power sectors. By bringing the conversation to London – one of the world’s leading financial and energy centers – the Industry Showcase builds momentum ahead of the flagship event while strengthening ties between international capital and one of the world’s most resource-rich energy markets.

To participate in the London Industry Showcase on July 30 or secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2026 in Caracas this October, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com to learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery

 

Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

 

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/3RKKqfz).

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 20, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org), representing the voice of the African energy sector, is calling on global operators, financiers and technology providers to invest in Venezuela as the country reopens its energy sector and positions its vast hydrocarbon resources for renewed international development. Backed by a series of reforms and committed to long-term growth and global partnerships, the country is gearing up for its next energy phase – and now is the time to invest.

 

The AEC is proud to back the upcoming Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) Conference and Exhibition, recognizing the platform as a premier event for international investment as Venezuela accelerates the reopening of its energy sector. Taking place October 26-29 in Caracas, VEW convenes government leaders, international energy companies, financiers and technology firms to chart the next phase of the country’s energy development, reinforcing the country’s potential as a global energy supplier. The AEC will also join and support VEW’s global roadshow events, taking place July 30 in London and August 18 in Houston.

“Venezuela has reformed and demonstrated its commitment to global partnerships. Now we need to invest and work with its citizens to build the country, especially after the devastating earthquake. VEW signals a new era of energy investment for the country. With a goal to unlock billions of dollars’ worth of deals for the country, the conference is positioned to transform Venezuela’s energy sector,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Taking place with the full support of Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, VEW 2026 arrives at a critical juncture for the country. Home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves at over 300 billion barrels – as well as 195 trillion cubic feet of natural gas -, the country is embarking on a phased redevelopment strategy aimed at accelerating undeveloped mega-projects, reactivating shut-in wells and restoring production to up to 3 million barrels per day (bpd). These objectives are creating significant investment opportunities for operators and service providers alike, and VEW will connect companies to Venezuelan projects.

The country’s energy strategy is underpinned by regulatory reforms aimed at improving the investment environment. Recent hydrocarbon reforms include reduced fiscal burdens, expanded production-sharing mechanisms, strengthened arbitration protections and increased operational control for foreign operators. These moves reflect the government’s broader ambitions to attract capital across proven basins with significant upside. These include the Orinoco Belt and Maracaibo Basin, both of which have seen several international operators either return or expand their portfolios in recent months.

Shell is preparing for 2027 drilling at the Dragon offshore gas projects, bp entered the market in April through an agreement to develop the Cocuina-Manakin offshore gas field, while Repsol announced plans to increase production from its Venezuelan assets. Eni is relaunching a heavy crude project in the Orinoco Belt while Maurel & Prom is positioning itself as a strategic partner for assets such as Urdaneta Oeste. These moves showcase a market advancing toward its next phase of growth, demonstrating the potential for future investments.

Venezuela’s mid- and downstream markets are evolving in tandem. Vitol recently renewed its engagement with the country, while efforts to revitalize refining and gas monetization are creating new opportunities for both regional and international companies. Refining capacity of nearly 1.3 million bpd is currently operating at 35% utilization, highlighting immediate opportunities in refining rehabilitation and broader downstream expansion. With over $100 billion required to rehabilitate the country’s oil and gas sector, VEW will position Venezuelan projects at the forefront of the global investment agenda.

“Venezuela has one of the world’s largest hydrocarbon resource bases, and its re-engagement with international investors has the potential to reshape energy investment across Latin America. As regulatory conditions evolve and opportunities expand, the country’s must be increasingly backed by trade and investments that lift the people up,” Ayuk added.

For the AEC, the event reflects the type of investment-focused engagement needed to unlock large-scale energy development. By bringing together policymakers, operators and financiers under one roof, VEW provides a direct platform for companies evaluating market entry while supporting dialogue that translates policy reforms into commercial partnerships.