The National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG), Angola’s upstream regulator, has announced the results of the Limited Public Tender for Block KON 13 in the Kwanza Onshore Basin. Oando Energy, a Nigerian independent exploration and production (E&P) company, has been confirmed as the operator of Block KON 13 with a 45% stake, according to Africoilgasreport. The tender process began on May 24, 2024, and closed on September 3, 2024. ANPG noted that 10%
Rio Tinto reported an 18% year-on-year increase in diamond output for the fourth quarter of 2023, reaching 775,000 carats. The rise follows efforts to ramp up production after addressing ground subsidence issues and transitioning to underground mining at the Diavik mine’s A21 pit. The miner completed the first phase of underground development at A21, where open-pit operations concluded in late 2023. Rio Tinto is now scaling up processing in the area to achieve commercial production.
Harmattan Energy, an indirect subsidiary of Chevron, recently drilled the Kapana 1-X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, but the well did not yield commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. Despite this, the operation provided valuable geological insights, enhancing confidence in future exploration efforts in the region. Chevron had previously obtained an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) from Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, enabling it to spud up to ten wells in the country over the
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi has assured Mozambican President Daniel Chapo of plans to expand the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in the Rovuma Basin, elevating Mozambique’s presence on the global LNG stage. In a congratulatory letter following Chapo’s inauguration, Descalzi reaffirmed Eni’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Mozambique. He emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting Mozambique’s long-term development through local content initiatives, energy transition efforts, and the implementation of the Coral Norte FLNG
The Angolan National Diamond Company (Endiama) aims to produce 14.8 million carats of diamonds and generate $2.1 billion in revenue by 2025, according to its chairman, José Ganga Junior. Speaking during the company’s 44th anniversary, Ganga Junior acknowledged ongoing challenges in the diamond market, including significant price reductions and sluggish demand. Diamond prices have dropped by more than 60% in some cases, with the average price per carat estimated at $146 for this year. Currently,
The $20 billion Dangote Refinery is on track to achieve its full refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the coming months. According to recent disclosures from refinery officials, the facility is currently processing 500,000 bpd and aims to reach its maximum capacity by June this year. A significant obstacle preventing the refinery from hitting its full capacity has been the insufficient supply of crude oil from the Nigerian market. To address this
Barrick Gold has announced the temporary suspension of operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali after the Malian government seized three metric tons of gold, valued at approximately $245 million, over the weekend. The gold, confiscated on Saturday and transported by Air Force helicopters, is being sent to the state-owned Banque Malienne de Solidarité (BMS) in Bamako, according to sources. This action follows a court-ordered seizure issued by Judge Boubacar Moussa Diarra, based on
Mali has begun removing gold from Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine using helicopters, according to four sources familiar with the situation. The operation, which started on Saturday, had transported approximately three metric tons of gold as of Monday, two sources told Reuters. One source estimated the value of the seized gold at $245 million. This dramatic move highlights escalating tensions in Mali’s mining sector as the government tightens its grip on resources, seeking
In an uncommon move for an oil-producing nation, Nigeria—a significant net exporter of petroleum—imported 47,000 barrels of US crude oil per day in 2024. Experts attribute this shift to the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and changing global crude trade patterns. The emergence of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has altered Nigeria’s crude supply dynamics. In 2024, the refinery turned to international
The Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that Shell will write down $400 million related to its oil discovery in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 39. The decision follows Shell’s accounting principles and reflects challenges in the commercial viability of the discoveries due to technical and geological factors. Despite the write-down, Shell, in collaboration with its partners Qatar Energy and Namcor, remains committed to exploring commercial options and further opportunities within PEL 39. Since
