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West Africa and the MSGBC Region Showcase a Hive of Exploration Activities

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hydrocarbon expansion

With west Africa and the MSGBC region emerging as a hub for oil and gas exploration, this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power summit offers a platform to strike lucrative exploration deals for Africa’s hydrocarbon expansion

DAKAR, Senegal, July 6, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Due to limited investments across Africa’s upstream sector in recent years coupled with the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy, the African continent has witnessed a decline in exploration activities resulting in a shrinking number of discoveries across the continent’s rich basins. However, with exploration making a strong comeback across west Africa, specifically in the MSGBC region, Africa’s oil and gas sector is set to witness unprecedented growth.

The MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 conference (https://bit.ly/3urJu0P), which takes place from 1 – 2 September 2022 under the patronage of H.E. President Macky Sall (https://bit.ly/3usNWwk) in Dakar, will explore the upstream potential of west Africa and the collective MSGBC region. Explored in conjunction with the significance of regional resources for driving African energy security, discussions are set to unlock new strategies for positioning the continent as a global energy giant.

Owing to the region’s previous discoveries such as Senegal’s Yakaar-Teranga, Mauritania’s Orca and Ivory Coast’s Baleine, an increasing number of international independents and majors are showing interest in the region with multiple exploration projects lined up for 2022 and beyond. Moreover, with countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, Ghana and Ivory Coast successfully hosting Africa’s top explorers in the last five years, an increasing number of exploration companies are set to enter or expand footprints in the area in their search of lucrative discoveries.

Exploration and production firms flocking to MSGBC and west African countries highlight the region’s openness and ease of doing business

According to the The African Energy Chamber’s “State of African Energy” report, up to 19 high impact wells will be drilled between 2022 and 2023 in Africa with the majority of them located in east and west African countries. With Senegal and Ivory Coast expected to award licensing rounds in 2022 and 2023, the region is set to become a hydrocarbon exploration hive. Market intelligence firm, Rystad Energy, forecasts that a 30% increase in exploratory drillings will be recorded across the region in 2022, compared to 2021 levels. Already, exploratory drilling has increased by 50% in 2022 compared to pre-COVID levels as energy firms rally to participate in west Africa and the MSGBC region’s oil expansion and gas rush.

Eni has announced plans to expand drilling in the Baleine-2 appraisal well in the Ivory Coast while Kosmos Energy is expanding its operations in Mauritania and Senegal, with the Africa Oil Corporation boosting investments in the Senegal and Guinea-Bissau Joint Development Zone. Other firms including Bermuda-based BW Energy and U.S. based VAALCO Energy will also be exploring in Gabon and Ghana, while Australia’s FAR announced plans to invest in exploration activities in the Panthera, Jatto and Malo prospects of The Gambia.

Exploration and production firms flocking to MSGBC and west African countries highlight the region’s openness and ease of doing business. In this regard, the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 conference is committed to connecting policymakers, energy industry leaders and investors to discuss business development and policy requirements to boost exploration investments.

With the energy transition taking center stage and the demand for gas expanding, the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power summit is providing west African gas with a global launchpad whilst also optimizing oil production to accelerate the diversification of Africa’s energy mix for energy poverty alleviation and the reduction in imports.

Under the theme, ‘The Future of Natural Gas: Growth Using Strategic Investment and Policymaking’, the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power summit will explore the future of the region’s energy sector and discuss critical solutions to optimizing exploration activities across the MSGBC region’s largely untapped basins.

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

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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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