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South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Upstream Development Gains Pace

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South Africa’s oil and gas market offers significant opportunities for play-opening discoveries

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 11, 2025/APO Group/ –South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe will speak at this year’s edition of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. His participation comes as the country advances developments in oil, gas and infrastructure, seeking to address key economic challenges by monetizing untapped energy resources.

Minister Mantashe’s return to the event reflects a strong commitment to engaging global investors and advancing the development of South Africa’s energy resources. Rich in a variety of resources – most of which are largely untapped – the country has been revising its policies in recent months under efforts to secure foreign capital and drive projects forward. Key developments include the launch of the South African National Petroleum Company – a dedicated state-owned oil corporation – and the implementation of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Minister Mantashe is expected to share insights into the role policy plays in realizing the country’s petroleum goals.

AEW: Invest in African Energies 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. 

By investing in strategic basins such as the Orange Basin and advancing onshore gas production, South Africa is well-positioned to achieve its energy goals

South Africa is advancing offshore oil and gas exploration under efforts to unlock similar commercial finds to those made in neighboring Namibia. The country’s Orange Basin holds significant promise and ongoing exploration campaigns seek to open new frontiers offshore. Energy major Shell has recently received the greenlight to drill in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep block. The company plans to drill at least five deepwater exploration and appraisal wells in the Orange Basin, the results of which could lead to play-opening discoveries. Additionally, energy major TotalEnergies is targeting a two-well wildcat campaign in the South African side of the Orange Basin. Drilling is expected to commence in 2026.

Recent Merger & Acquisition activity in South Africa reflect a strong international drive to unlock the country’s potential oil and gas resources. Notably, Eco Atlantic – through its subsidiary Azinam South Africa – acquired a 75% working interest in Block 1 in June 2024. The company serves as the operator and will carry out a work program. Energy majors TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy acquired participating interests in Block 3B/4B in March 2024, while Africa Energy Corp become operator of Block 11B/12B – situated in the Outeniqua Basin. Ongoing exploration projects stand to reposition the country as an oil and gas producing market.

On the gas front, South Africa is making strides to enhance fuel security through domestic gas monetization projects. Energy company Renergen – currently the country’s sole onshore gas producer – operates the Virginia Gas Project in the Free State province. Producing LNG and liquid helium, the project is expected to support economic growth across the province. Minister Mantashe visited the project site in June 2025, reflecting strong governmental support for onshore gas development. With the country’s gas industry still in its infancy stage, the government is working to establish strong regulations to entice investment and development across the gas value chain. These include the Gas Master Plan (GMP) – currently under review – which provides a roadmap for critical infrastructure. The GMP is poised to spur the development of LNG terminals, pipelines and strategic production and storage infrastructure.

Minister Mantashe’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 builds on these regulatory efforts to unlock new opportunities for international participation across the South African oil and gas market. His insights are expected to support new deals as the country accelerates exploration, production and development projects.

“Through targeted regulation, South Africa is significantly improving the business climate for international companies. Policies such as the GMP and Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act will drive investment across the value chain, unlocking new opportunities for broader economic growth and energy security. By investing in strategic basins such as the Orange Basin and advancing onshore gas production, South Africa is well-positioned to achieve its energy goals,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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