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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) Visits China to Tap into Private Investment for African Energy and Infrastructure

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African Energy Chamber

The African Energy Chamber’s working visit to China aims to unlock new areas of collaborative project development and financing – primarily across the oil and gas industry

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

Chinese foreign direct investment in Africa has increased significantly in recent years as Beijing strengthens its global trade and credit lines. Programs such as the Belt and Road Initiative – a China-led global infrastructure initiative – have seen up to $21.7 billion invested in Africa in 2023 alone while together, state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China National Petroleum Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation represent the fourth-largest energy investors on the continent. As new opportunities in upstream hydrocarbon development, regional infrastructure and downstream processing unfold, China’s project portfolio in Africa is expected to substantially grow.

Given emerging opportunities for Chinese investors in Africa, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) – serving as the voice of the African energy sector – will conduct a working visit to China under efforts to promote new investment and global partnerships. A delegation led by AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese government officials and the private sector, with discussions centering around investment opportunities, bankable projects and China’s emerging role in Africa’s upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.

China’s Growing Energy Presence in Africa

As Africa’s pipeline of bankable oil and gas projects grows, Chinese investors are bound to play an even greater role in supporting development across the industry

Already boasting a strong presence in Africa’s mineral and renewable energy sectors, Chinese state-owned and private companies are turning their attention to developing African oil and gas resources. Wing Wah, a Chinese oil and gas company, is pioneering a comprehensive project in the Republic of Congo, designed to optimize resource monetization and promote the use of natural gas. The Bango Kayo project features a innovative development model for the Bango Kayo oilfield, extending production beyond the initial block lifecycles and harnessing previously flared gas. Through three phases, Wing Wah will incrementally enhance gas processing and valorization capabilities to produce LNG, butane, and propane. The primary focus is on meeting domestic demand, with surplus gas exported globally, positioning the project as a key contributor to the country’s energy landscape.

In Angola, China has invested just shy of $14 billion in the past decade, the majority of which in energy. At present, Chinese companies are advancing the development of refining projects while seeking new opportunities in upstream oil and gas. Earlier this year, a group of executives from CNOOC travelled to Angola to discuss investment opportunities in oil exploration. CNOOC is assessing an investment in Angola’s Block 24, a deepwater concession with promising potential. Construction firm China National Chemical Engineering also signed an MoU with Angola’s national oil company Sonangol in 2023 for the development of the 200,000 barrel per day Lobito Refinery – poised to be the country’s biggest.

In East Africa, CNOOC is developing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline in partnership with energy major TotalEnergies and the respective national oil companies of Uganda and Tanzania. Designed to transport crude from the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in Uganda to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga, the 1,443-km pipeline is estimated to cost $5 billion. Of this, the project partners have already raised $2 billion and the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments are seeking an additional $3 billion in debt financing – primarily from Chinese lenders such as the Export-Import Bank of China and the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation. Meanwhile, CNOOC is partnering with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation to explore deep-sea Blocks 4/1B and 4/1C while holding talks with South Sudan to boost output at Blocks 3 and 7 in the Paloch fields. In West Africa, the company launched wildcat drilling in Gabon’s Blocks BC-9 and BCD-10 in 2023 and renewed its production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and TotalEnergies for OML 130.

“As Africa’s pipeline of bankable oil and gas projects grows, Chinese investors are bound to play an even greater role in supporting development across the industry. Leveraging strong multilateral ties established under programs such as the Belt and Road Initiatives, Chinese companies are gradually emerging as the partners of choice for upcoming oil and gas projects in Africa. From upstream exploration to downstream infrastructure to power and manufacturing industries, Chinese companies can catalyze development as Africa aims to make energy poverty history by 2030,” states Ayuk.

The AEC’s working visit to China comes ahead of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – Africa’s largest energy event, taking place November 4 – 8 in Cape Town. Amid China’s growing investment portfolio in Africa, AEW: Invest in African Energy serves to connect Chinese investors and project developers with African opportunities, fostering a new era of partnerships that drive projects forward. During the event, presentations, panel discussions and investor forums focus on bankable projects across the energy value chain in Africa, providing the information needed to advance investments.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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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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