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Putting Clients First: CLG Appoints Yves Ollivier as Managing Director for Newly Established Office in Pointe Noire Congo

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Yves Ollivier

CLG’s appointment of Yves Ollivier as Managing Director for its new office in Pointe Noire signifies a milestone for the firm’s expansion into the Republic of Congo

SANDTON, South Africa, May 27, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Pan-African legal and business advisory group CLG (https://CLGGlobal.com/) has appointed Yves Ollivier as the firm’s Managing Director for its office in the Republic of Congo. CLG recently opened an office in Pointe Noire – dubbed the country’s oil and gas capital – to enhance support for hydrocarbon projects and solidify its presence in Africa. In his capacity as Managing Director, Ollivier will oversee all operations in the country, providing specialized legal counsel and strategic support to clients in the oil and gas sector.

Ollivier holds an LLM in Business Law from Caen University and a Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession from the Paris Bar School. He has extensive experience with a number of French law firms as well as French energy major TotalEnergies. His experience extends into the Republic of Congo and Cameroon, where he has worked in various legal organizations, providing commercial, legal and consulting support for a number of clients and companies. Beyond legal advisory, Ollivier was a co-organizer for Business Talk Congo from March 2018 to January 2020, where he organized conferences and debates on agribusiness, the digital sector, local content in the oil sector and the development of the mining sector in the Republic of Congo.

As one of Africa’s largest oil producers and an emerging natural gas producer, the Republic of Congo offers significant opportunities for investors. The country aims to double hydrocarbon production to 500,000 barrels per day while expanding its natural gas industry. This year, the Congo LNG project delivered its first cargo, attracting new market players and increasing demand for legal services.

Having Yves onboard gives CLG the ability to provide full-service support to our international clients in Congo-Brazzaville

Multinational companies like Perenco, Eni and TotalEnergies in collaboration with the country’s national oil company Société nationale des pétroles du Congo are advancing exploration and development, driven by recent geological surveys. TotalEnergies recently announced a $600 million investment to strengthen exploration and production activities in the Republic of Congo, with the capital expected to support the development of the country’s deep offshore Moho Nord field. Oil and gas company Trident Energy acquired stakes in the Moho-Bilondo, Nkossa, Nsoko II and Lianzi fields.

In addition to E&P companies, global and regional service companies are offered a wealth of opportunities across the Congolese oil and gas market. Multinational oilfield services company Saipem, for example, secured a contract for works related to the Congo LNG project. As the country’s oil and gas market grows, these opportunities are set to multiply. As such, the government is inviting foreign investment to meet production targets, creating new transactions supported by firms like CLG. With its extensive industry expertise and presence in several African markets, CLG is well-positioned to become the preferred legal and business advisory group for the Republic of Congo’s oil and gas sector.

“Our new Pointe Noire office in the Republic of Congo leverages our leading energy sector brand – built for many years by leading international, regional and local lawyers – to support our global client base in African energy markets,” says Zion Adeoye, CEO of CLG. “Having Yves onboard gives CLG the ability to provide full-service support to our international clients in Congo-Brazzaville.”

Led by Ollivier, CLG’s activities in the Republic of Congo will include offering comprehensive legal and strategic advisory services to clients in various industries, with a particular emphasis on the oil and gas sector. CLG Congo’s office will provide energy transactional services that include project development and M&A support for the natural gas, LNG, power, renewables and fuels sectors, including full support for decarbonization.

Since the firm’s inception, CLG has worked with a spectrum of national and international companies on matters pertinent to international energy transactions, joint ventures between regional and international companies, environmental matters, exploration and development agreements, tax advisory, OHADA, labor litigation, transportation and storage agreements, downstream distribution, project finance and general corporate matters. The Congo-Brazzaville office will benefit a large network of legal, tax and other professional services provided by CLG.

CLG – formerly Centurion Law Group – has rebranded in reflection of a renewed commitment to supporting the growth and success of Africa’s oil and gas industry. Visit CLG’s new website at https://CLGGlobal.com/ for more information about the firm’s services.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

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Genesis Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Discuss Energy Expansion at Congo Energy & Investment Forum

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Genesis Energy

Akinwole Omoboriowo II will discuss Genesis Energy’s plan to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, highlighting how Nigeria’s power sector experience can inform the development of the Republic of Congo’s domestic energy grid and gas export potential

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO of Genesis Energy, will speak at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March, where he will discuss the company’s plans to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, with a focus on energy initiatives that align with the Republic of Congo’s energy development goals.

Genesis Energy is driving transformational power projects, including providing 334MW to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria and plans to produce 1 GW within the WAEMU region. In October 2024, Genesis and BPA Komani announced their strategic partnership to mobilize capital and facilitate critical infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa. Additionally, Genesis’ recent MOU with the U.S. Agency for International Development will mobilize $10 billion for green energy and renewable projects, supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

During CEIF 2025, Omoboriowo will explore how Genesis’ successful energy infrastructure development projects in Africa, combined with private sector innovation, can guide the Republic of Congo in strengthening its energy security and achieving its decarbonization goals. By leveraging its expertise in clean energy and strategic partnerships, Genesis Energy is poised to play a key role in helping the Republic of Congo harness its energy potential and expand its regional energy influence.

The Republic of Congo’s renewable energy sector is in a phase of growth, with increasing interest in solar, hydro and wind energy projects. Battery energy storage capacities are also gaining traction as a vital component of the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand. The government is focusing on diversifying its energy mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability. Looking ahead, the Congo aims to expand its renewable energy capacity and integrate storage solutions to meet growing domestic and regional energy needs while supporting environmental sustainability.

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

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Eni, TotalEnergies Announce New Exploration Projects in Libya

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National Oil Corporation

Eni is launching three exploration plays, TotalEnergies is expecting promising results from its recent onshore exploration project, and other developments were shared during an upstream IOC-led panel at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on January 18.

Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.

“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields. “We expect results next week,” he added.

Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated. He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.

Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.

We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore

“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”

“Innovation is key to maximizing production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.

Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalization.”

“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximizing production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”

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

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Libya’s Oil Minister: Brownfields, Local Investment Key to 2M Barrels Per Day (BPD) Production

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Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister outlined plans to boost production to 1.6 million bpd in 2025 and 2 million bpd long-term, with brownfield development and local investment at the core, during the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya is setting its sights on boosting oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years, with brownfield development and local investment identified as critical drivers of this growth. Speaking at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) in Tripoli on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek outlined the country’s strategy to reach 1.6 million bpd by year-end and laid the groundwork for longer-term growth.

“There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks,” stated Minister Abdulsadek during the Ministerial Panel, Global Energy Alliance – Uniting for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. “We want to make sure local oil companies take part. We also want to leverage the upcoming licensing round to support our planned growth in the oil sector.”

The minister’s remarks were complemented by a strong call for international participation in Libya’s upcoming licensing round, signaling the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and maximizing the potential of its energy sector.

Highlighting Libya’s vast natural gas potential – with reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic meters – Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressed the need for enhanced investment in gas projects. He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the $600 million El Sharara refinery as opportunities to stimulate economic diversification.

There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks

“Natural gas is available,” Hamel stated, adding, “It is the greenest of hydrocarbons and we see natural gas continuing to grow until 2050.”

The panel also tackled the global energy transition, emphasizing Africa’s unique challenges and the need for the continent to harness its resources to achieve energy security. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), underscored the critical need for finance, technology and reliable markets to drive progress.

“At APPO, we have noted three specific challenges for the African continent. Finance, technology and reliable markets,” he stated, questioning whether Africa can continue to depend on external forces to develop its resources.

As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Libya holds an estimated 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The country’s efforts to expand production, attract investment and drive innovation are central to the discussions at LEES 2025. Endorsed by the Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Oil Corporation, the summit has established itself as the leading platform for driving Libya’s energy transformation and exploring its impact on global markets.

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

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