Connect with us

Business

Oil on Gas Regulations Spotlight: Equatorial Guinea

Published

on

Guinea

It is important that adequate policies and regulations are put in place to ensure consistency in the county’s economic development

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

Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas sector is on a path to recovery and is laying the groundwork for new initiatives towards economic advancement and legislative stability. The country’s economic structure is to be applauded as it prioritizes the development of local production and local participation in its petroleum sector. For example, Equatorial Guinea produces 244,000.00 barrels per day of oil (as of 2016), ranking 34th in the world[1], and has managed to increase its production capacity of gas significantly by 5.73%, yearly, from 6.2 million cubic metres in 2015, to 7.75 million cubic metres in 2018. As it stands, Equatorial Guinea is expected to continue to increase its production levels as new developments and projects are executed.

The county’s upstream sector plays a critical role in driving the growth of the petroleum sector, and ultimately, the economy. It is therefore important that adequate policies and regulations are put in place to ensure consistency in the county’s economic development.

It is important to highlight some of the key companies involved in the production and distribution of oil and gas. While ExxonMobil’s upstream affiliate in Equatorial Guinea, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc. (MEGI), is the largest oil producer in the country, Sociedad Nacional de Gas de Guinea Ecuatorial (Sonagas)—Equatorial Guinea’s state-owned hydrocarbon company—manages the distribution, marketing, and exploration of the nation’s natural gas assets, including the industrial and residential natural gas markets [2].

As the only Spanish speaking country in the African continent, Equatorial Guinea has registered the highest growth path in Africa over the last five years [3]. The country has become the most dependent on oil in the world, due to significant oil discoveries that are structurally altering the economy. To that end, Equatorial Guinea is among several emerging oil-producing nations that have shown reluctance to embrace the global aspirations regarding energy transition.

With regards to the nation’s legislative framework for the exploration and production (“development”) of hydrocarbons [4], Equatorial Guinea is governed by the Hydrocarbons Law which came into force in November 2006 and was complemented in 2013 and 2014 by Regulations on Petroleum Operations and Regulations on National Content, respectively. Under the Hydrocarbons law, petroleum contracts are negotiated using a model contract developed by the Ministry in charge of petroleum operations. These contracts usually take the form of production sharing contracts (PSCs).

 The Hydrocarbons Law permits the State to derive value from the development of its oil and gas resources through:

  1. direct investment or participation interest in the contract of 20% or more,
  2.  the royalties paid to the State corresponding to a minimum rate of 13% based on daily production (gross production),
  3. domestic consumption requirements, and
  4. the taxes levied on the sectors such as income taxes, taxes on transfers and assignments and export duties, to name a few.

“Africa’s oil and gas industry is entering a new era, and Equatorial Guinea is at the forefront,” said Pablo Mitogo, Attorney at Centurion Law Group.

Africa’s oil and gas industry is entering a new era, and Equatorial Guinea is at the forefront


[1] https://apo-opa.info/3Fk7A2T.

[2] Sonagas is the Equatorial Guinean national natural gas company, which was established in 2005. It operates in conjunction with GEPetrol, the nation’s principal petroleum company, and EG LNG

[3] The improvement in oil and gas production and the robustness of public infrastructure-construction projects are mostly responsible for the country’s economy’s growth.

[4] A hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon found in crude oil, natural gas, and coal.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Centurion Law Group.

Business

Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

Published

on

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.

 

Continue Reading

Business

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Business

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version