Botswana Seeks Control of De Beers as Angola Joins Race for Diamond Giant Botswana is taking concrete steps to acquire a majority stake in De Beers, President Duma Boko announced on Monday, shortly after Angola revealed its own plans to pursue control of the global diamond powerhouse. Botswana currently holds a 15% share in De Beers and contributes around 70% of the company’s annual rough diamond output, making it a cornerstone of the southern African
Shell Signs $1 Billion Agreement with Angola to Develop 17 Ultra-Deepwater Oil Blocks The National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) and Shell have signed a landmark agreement defining the terms for exploration and development of 17 ultra-deepwater oil blocks off the Angolan coast. The deal represents an initial investment of nearly $1 billion and marks Shell’s return to Angola after a 20-year absence. The agreement follows the memorandum of understanding signed in November
Angola Holds Major Potential for Solar and Hydropower Generation, Highlights German-Angolan Hydrogen Partnership Angola has one of the greatest potentials in Southern Africa for generating renewable energy from solar and hydropower sources, according to Vandre Spellmeier from the German-Angolan Hydrogen Office (H2-diplo). Spellmeier made the remarks on Wednesday in Luanda during the Conference on the Angola-Germany Energy Partnership. In a statement, Spellmeier emphasized Angola’s strategic importance in driving sustainable industrialization and strengthening the energy sector’s
Egypt Uncovers Significant Natural Gas Discovery in Western Desert’s Badr-15 Sector Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has announced a major natural gas discovery in the country’s Western Desert, marking another step forward in efforts to boost domestic energy production and reduce dependence on imports. The find was made by Badr El Din Petroleum Company (BAPETCO) at the Badr-15 sector, following successful drilling at the BED 15-31 exploration well. According to the ministry, the
African Development Bank Invests $14.5 Million in Zambia’s 20MW Garneton North Solar Project to Power 82,000 People The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $14.54 million financing package to support the 20MW Garneton North Solar Project in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, a key step in advancing the country’s renewable energy capacity and addressing its persistent power shortages. Once operational, the project will deliver clean and reliable electricity to approximately 82,000 people, while reducing annual carbon
Halliburton Wins Shell Contract for HI Gas Project to Boost Nigeria’s LNG Supply Halliburton has announced that the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has awarded it a major contract to deliver integrated drilling services for the HI gas project, located in the shallow waters of OML 144 off the Niger Delta coast. The Houston-based oilfield services company said it will deploy remote operations and automated drilling technologies to enhance safety, reduce operational costs,
Nigeria Invests $500 Million to Boost Solar Manufacturing and Export Locally Made Panels to Ghana Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that the Federal Government, in collaboration with state governors and private investors, has secured about $500 million to establish solar manufacturing plants across the country. Adelabu revealed that Nigeria has begun exporting locally produced solar panels to Ghana, marking a major milestone in the nation’s push toward renewable energy independence and regional
Libyan National Oil Corporation Discovers New Oil Well Producing 4,675 Barrels Daily in Ghadames Basin The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced a significant oil discovery in an exploratory well located south of the Western Mountain in the Ghadames Basin, approximately 450 kilometers southwest of Tripoli. According to the NOC, the newly drilled well is estimated to produce around 4,675 barrels of crude oil and 2 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Chevron to Explore Offshore Oil and Gas in Guinea-Bissau’s MSGBC Basin Chevron has announced plans to explore oil and gas reserves offshore Guinea-Bissau, targeting two key blocks within the highly prospective MSGBC Basin. The MSGBC Basin spanning Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry has become one of West Africa’s most promising hydrocarbon regions, attracting significant industry attention after several major discoveries in recent years. Liz Schwarze, Chevron’s Vice President for Exploration, expressed enthusiasm about
De Beers Reports 38% Increase in Q3 Diamond Output, Driven by Jwaneng Mine Diamond miner De Beers produced 7.7 million carats in the third quarter ended September 30, marking a 38% year-on-year increase. The growth was primarily driven by higher output from its Jwaneng mine in Botswana. Operations in Botswana saw a 51% year-on-year rise in diamond production, totaling six million carats for the quarter. De Beers attributed the increase to the processing of higher-grade
