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Sonatrach, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) Expand Partnership to Develop Hydrocarbon Resources

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A burgeoning partnership between Algeria’s Sonatrach and the Republic of Congo’s SNPC – including a high-level meeting in Brazzaville earlier this month – unlocks a new era of intra-African energy cooperation

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 28, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Algeria’s national oil company (NOC) Sonatrach and its Congolese counterpart Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) continue to show a steadfast commitment to driving intra-African collaboration and partnership within the energy sector. Leveraging the strengths of both organizations to boost energy production, personnel training and refining capabilities within the region, their partnership is poised to contribute to the development of Africa’s oil and gas resources for enhanced energy security and economic growth.

On May 21, a high-level delegation from Sonatrach, led by CEO Rachid Hachichi, visited SNPC headquarters in the Republic of Congo’s capital city of Brazzaville. This strategic meeting marked a crucial step in fortifying the relationship between the two energy giants, with discussions focusing on several key areas of mutual interest that promise to bring significant benefits to both parties.

Partnerships among African energy producers will be a key focus area of this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference, taking place from November 4-8 in Cape Town. Hachichi will lead a Sonatrach delegation at the event, which aims to catalyze collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders across Africa’s energy sector towards the common goal of increasing oil and gas production and eradicating energy poverty. Meanwhile, as the Republic of Congo seeks to ramp up oil production to 500,000 barrels per day and accelerate gas exploration and production activities, SNPC will showcase the country’s major investment opportunities, targeting gas monetization, improved infrastructure, clean technologies and the development of local talent.

Complemented by ongoing training initiatives initiated by SNPC and Sonatrach, the meeting provided an opportunity for the NOCs to discuss joint efforts in project financing, oil and gas infrastructure, regional markets, local content development, net-zero technologies, research and development and renewable energy collaboration. The meeting sought to ensure commercial, technical and technological collaboration in developing the two countries’ hydrocarbon resources, while supporting the exchange of research and development studies to optimize sector activities. The two parties also emphasized their commitment to facilitating data collection and the sharing of best practices, while supporting a wide range of capacity building initiatives.

The partnership also envisions establishing Sonatrach’s presence in the Republic of Congo through the launch of activities on new licensing permits. This strategic move will not only bolster Sonatrach’s footprint in the region, but also contribute to the development of the Republic of Congo’s upstream sector. The collaboration is expected to attract new investment and create job opportunities, thereby driving local content development and stimulating economic growth.

Finally, the visit served as a platform for the two entities to discuss recent market developments including updates to Congolaise de Raffinage, a refinery in Pointe-Noire that boasts a capacity of 600,000 tons of oil per year and covers 60-70% of the country’s refined petroleum product demand. The refinery recently underwent an overhaul of production units that served to modernize and increase its facilities and refining capacity.

Demand for natural gas in Africa is expected to peak by 2035 and remain the preponderant source of energy generation well into the 2050s

A critical aspect of the partnership between SNPC and Sonatrach is the sharing of Sonatrach’s extensive experience in the production, valorization and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sonatrach, a global leader in LNG, will provide insights and best practices that can be adopted by SNPC to optimize its operations, as the Republic of Congo seeks to become a leading LNG exporter and key supplier to Europe.

This month’s visit by Sonatrach to Brazzaville comes on the heels of a high-level meeting between the two NOCs last year, which resulted in the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). Signed last July and August by Sonatrach CEO Toufik Hakkar and SNPC Managing Director Maixent Raoul Ominga, the MOUs laid the foundation for collaboration in the fields of exploration through to the marketing of hydrocarbons, with a view to maximizing the two countries’ hydrocarbon value chains. The pact sought to strengthen the development, transport, processing, distribution and supply of petroleum products, as well as the exchange of expertise, development of professional skills and training of SNPC personnel by Sonatrach.

These initiatives underscore the commitment of both Sonatrach and SNPC to the sustainable development of Africa’s energy resources. By leveraging their combined expertise, the two organizations aim to drive progress and innovation within the industry. The partnership represents a significant step forward in developing the continent’s diverse resource base and aligns with the AEW: Invest in African Energy conference’s commitment to fostering intra-African cooperation and achieving energy security.

“The strategy of SNPC and Sonatrach pays a lot of consideration to the role played by natural gas, which for the past five decades, has grown steadily, emerging as a critical energy source around the world. Africa will need it for industrialization and fighting energy poverty. Sonatrach is well advanced in gas monetization and sees the clear role that gas plays when it comes to the energy transition. It emits just half as much carbon dioxide as coal, and in many cases, it is cheaper than either coal or oil as a power source,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

“Demand for natural gas in Africa is expected to peak by 2035 and remain the preponderant source of energy generation well into the 2050s. For several African industries, gas is also likely to remain or grow as a fuel stock of choice, owing to its abundance and cost-effectiveness relative to other energy sources. SNPC and Sonatrach’s leadership are visionary in their thinking around intra-Africa energy trading. There is a huge market in Africa, and also an export market, which they are going to lead. SNPC’s Gas Master Plan provides world-class opportunities for investment and partnerships,” concluded Ayuk.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

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/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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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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