CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 12, 2026/APO Group/ –ExxonMobil’s announcement that artificial intelligence has identified four new exploration opportunities within Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation. By applying AI to historical discoveries, drilling results and subsurface data, the company is demonstrating how advanced analytics, machine learning, high-performance computing and next-generation seismic imaging can accelerate exploration, reduce costs and improve discovery success rates.

 

The breakthrough comes as Guyana targets crude oil production of 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027 and 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, underscoring the growing role of digital technologies in maximizing resource development alongside continued investment in drilling and infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, the Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 Guyana In-Country Launch, taking place on 1 September 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, will bring together operators, technology providers, geoscience companies, investors and regulators to examine the latest developments shaping Guyana’s energy sector and build momentum ahead of CEW 2027 next July. Returning for its second edition, CEW provides a premier platform for advancing investment, showcasing new projects and highlighting the technologies driving the country’s next phase of upstream growth.

Momentum behind AI adoption continues to build. In May 2026, ExxonMobil Vice President of Exploration John Ardill confirmed the company was expanding its use of deep learning, machine learning and high-performance computing to analyze seismic data and identify hydrocarbon-bearing prospects that were previously more difficult to evaluate.

The company is simultaneously advancing an ambitious offshore drilling program. This month, ExxonMobil commenced new drilling activities in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Whiptail development well and Rockhead-1 exploration well. Earlier this year, the company also sought environmental authorization for the Haimara gas-condensate development and has proposed a 35-well drilling campaign between 2028 and 2033, reinforcing confidence in Guyana’s long-term exploration potential.

These developments are creating growing opportunities for AI developers, digital technology providers, seismic specialists, engineering firms and oilfield service companies that can support increasingly data-driven exploration and field development activities.

As the first official milestone on the road to Caribbean Energy Week 2027, the Georgetown launch will provide a platform for industry leaders to examine the technologies, partnerships and investment strategies driving Guyana’s next phase of growth while strengthening collaboration across the Caribbean energy sector.

LUANDA, Angola, August 11, 2026/APO Group/ –Sebastião Gaspar Martins, Chairman of the Board of Angola’s national oil company (NOC), Sonangol, will speak at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Luanda on September 9-10, with a pre-conference day on September 8. Martins joins the conference as Sonangol advances a portfolio of strategic projects spanning deepwater production, refining and petroleum infrastructure, reinforcing the company’s central role in Angola’s efforts to sustain oil output while strengthening domestic fuel security.

Sonangol is expanding its upstream portfolio through partnerships with leading international operators. In June 2026, the company joined Azule Energy (operator), Equinor and national concessionaire ANPG in reaching a final investment decision on the $5.1 billion Greater PAJ development in Blocks 31 and 31/21. Angola’s first integrated development spanning two blocks, the project will develop an estimated 252 million barrels of reserves through a new FPSO capable of producing 95,000 barrels per day (bpd), with first oil targeted for 2029.

Alongside operator TotalEnergies and Petronas, Sonangol is also advancing the Kaminho project, the first deepwater development in the Kwanza Basin. The project will monetize resources from the Cameia and Golfinho fields through an FPSO with a production capacity of 70,000 bpd, with first oil planned for 2028. In Angola’s shallow waters, Sonangol is leading an infill drilling campaign at Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A. Drilling of the Pacassa SW well is underway, with the Impala-2 development well scheduled to spud shortly thereafter.

Onshore, Sonangol is advancing exploration activities across several blocks. The company operates Blocks KON 11, 12 and 15 in the Kwanza Basin and holds interests in acreage in the Lower Congo Basin. In June 2026, its exploration and production strategy received a significant boost through a $2.65 billion financing package arranged by a syndicate of international lenders.

Sonangol is also playing a leading role in Angola’s downstream expansion. The first phase of the Cabinda Refinery was inaugurated in September 2025, marking an important step toward reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products. The refinery has a planned processing capacity of 60,000 bpd, with Sonangol holding a 10% stake. Attention is also turning to the Lobito Refinery, where the company is engaging international financiers to close a $4.8 billion funding gap. Once completed, the 200,000-bpd facility will be Angola’s largest refinery, with its first phase scheduled to come online in 2027.

Against this backdrop, Martins’ participation at AOG 2026 comes as Sonangol accelerates investment across the upstream and downstream value chain. His participation will provide delegates with insight into the company’s strategic priorities while highlighting opportunities for collaboration with international operators, investors and financiers supporting Angola’s next phase of energy development.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 11, 2026/APO Group/ —Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil and gas industry is entering a new phase, with local content emerging as a central pillar of long-term sector development. As the country advances toward production targets of 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027 and 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, strengthening domestic supply chains, workforce capabilities and local procurement is becoming increasingly important to sustaining growth across the energy value chain.

These themes will take center stage at the Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 In-Country Launch, taking place in Georgetown on September 1, where government officials, operators, investors and service providers will examine how Guyana’s local content strategy is creating new commercial opportunities while supporting the country’s expanding offshore development pipeline.

Momentum continues to build following the Government of Guyana’s approval of 2026 Local Content Plans for more than 40 operators, contractors and subcontractors, including ExxonMobil Guyana, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana, MODEC and SLB. Approved under the country’s Local Content Act, the plans reinforce collaboration between government and industry to expand local procurement, employment and skills development as Guyana enters its next phase of upstream growth.

The approvals come as Guyana advances a new wave of offshore developments beyond the original Stabroek discoveries. Projects including Uaru, Whiptail, Hammerhead and Longtail are expected to underpin production growth through the end of the decade, creating sustained demand for local engineering, fabrication, logistics, marine services and technical expertise. By embedding Guyanese participation across these projects, the country’s local content framework is helping build the workforce and supplier base needed to support one of the world’s fastest-growing petroleum sectors.

The strategy is already delivering measurable results. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, more than 1,200 Guyanese businesses now participate in the petroleum sector, while over 7,000 Guyanese have received industry training. Since the Local Content Act came into force in December 2021, more than $2 billion in procurement opportunities have been awarded to local companies. ExxonMobil Guyana also reports that 68% of its workforce is Guyanese, including approximately 1,800 offshore personnel, highlighting the growing role of local talent in supporting large-scale offshore operations.

Alongside supplier development, Guyana is investing heavily in workforce training. The opening of the Guyana Technical Training College in February 2026 marked another milestone in building internationally certified expertise in deepwater drilling, offshore operations and petroleum services. Meanwhile, continued investment in the University of Guyana and the Government Technical Institute is helping develop the engineers, technicians and skilled professionals required to support future growth across the energy sector.

These developments come as exploration activity expands beyond the Stabroek Block, with companies including Eco Atlantic, CGX Energy, Frontera Energy, Occidental, Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy advancing exploration programs that could further broaden Guyana’s upstream investment pipeline.

As the first official milestone on the road to CEW 2027, the Georgetown launch will bring together government leaders, operators, investors and service providers to highlight Guyana’s evolving energy landscape and build momentum toward the region’s premier energy gathering.

To register for the Caribbean Energy Week 2027 In-Country Launch in Georgetown on September 1, 2026, visit: https://apo-opa.co/4i0YaNR