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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Albertine Graben Oil to be Transported via East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)

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Crude Oil

The respective Ministries of Uganda and the DRC have taken steps towards an agreement whereby oil produced at the DRC’s Albertine Graben blocks will be transported via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 11, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The respective ministries of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have taken steps towards establishing a formal agreement which would see oil produced at exploration blocks in the DRC’s Albertine Graben transported via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) – a 1,443km-long heated pipeline connecting Uganda’s Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields with international markets via the Tanga Port in Tanzania. A bilateral meeting took place in Kampala this week between Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu and the DRC’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Hon. Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, centered on the strengthening of regional relations and advancing access to regional infrastructures. The meeting laid the foundation for a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed between the countries – following the preparation of reports by technical teams of both countries – kickstarting a new era of energy security and regional trade on the back of the EACOP.

Serving as the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/)  commends the steps taken by both Uganda and the DRC to maximize the development of the EACOP for regional security. As a strong advocate for the development of the pipeline, the AEC recognizes this as a step in the right direction towards monetizing DRC oil, increasing revenue generation through exports, and trigging newfound growth across the East African economy.  

“The bilateral meeting held between the energy and petroleum ministries of Uganda and the DRC represents a crucial step towards lifting East Africa out of energy poverty. At the Chamber, we commend the efforts taken by the countries towards maximizing the EACOP. The pipeline offers critical opportunities, not just for Uganda and Tanzania, but for the East African region as a whole,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

The bilateral meeting held between the energy and petroleum ministries of Uganda and the DRC represents a crucial step towards lifting East Africa out of energy poverty

While the construction of the EACOP continues to be faced with interference by international environmental groups, the bilateral meeting and upcoming MoU are a testament to the role the pipeline will play in East Africa. Representing a future major oil producer, the pipeline will enable Uganda to export oil from oilfields located in the Albertine Rift Basin, located on the country’s western border, shared with the DRC. With an MoU, the pipeline will also enable the DRC to export oil. The Albertine Graben – also known as the Lake Albert Basin – lies on the western border of Uganda and the eastern border of the DRC, and despite its significant potential, much of the rift area remains underexplored. Now, with the DRC opening up 30 oil and gas blocks for exploration in 2022, new discoveries are on the horizon as players move to replicate success seen across the border in Uganda.   

The EACOP steps into this picture, offering a solution to getting high-demand crude to international markets. In addition to benefits created through revenue generation from exports, the pipeline and associated upstream buzz is expected to open opportunities for job creation, infrastructure development, market access and other crucial economic prospects. The pipeline will also enable East African consumers to tap into regional energy supplies, thereby tackling security across the energy-poor region.

Currently, the EACOP is on track to commence production in 2025, with both the governments of Uganda and Tanzania confident that they will be able to secure the funding required. While international lenders have recently pulled out of the development, caving into pressure from environmental activities, China is expected to step in as the primary financier, leveraging the country’s already strong presence in both the region and the pipeline’s development to see the EACOP’s completion. As the construction gains momentum and the DRC begins opening up its oil-rich Albertine Graben prospect, East Africa is on the precipice of widespread economic growth on the back of oil and gas monetization and intra-African infrastructure development.

“The Chamber has and will continue to maintain its unwavering support for the development of the EACOP. The pipeline will bring the economic development opportunities that East Africa so desperately needs. The region has significant quantities of untapped oil and gas, and it would be a crime to leave them in the ground. With over 600 million people currently without access to electricity and over 900 million without access to clean cooking solution, Africa needs its oil and gas to develop, industrialize and grow. The AEC will continue supporting and promoting this critical infrastructure project,” Ayuk said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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October 4, 2024

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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October 4, 2024

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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October 4, 2024

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

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