Libya Grants Exploration Licenses to Chevron, Eni, QatarEnergy and Repsol in Major Oil and Gas Round Libya has awarded new oil and gas exploration blocks to several international energy companies, including Chevron, Eni, QatarEnergy and Repsol, marking the country’s first licensing round in nearly two decades. The bidding results were announced by Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC). The round the first since 2007 allocated exploration acreage in the onshore Sirte and Murzuq basins, as well
CNOOC Begins Mozambique Drilling Next Month as Rovuma Basin LNG Projects Resume Development China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) plans to begin hydrocarbon exploration offshore Mozambique next month, targeting blocks awarded during the country’s sixth licensing round in 2022. Mozambique’s Minister of Energy, Estêvão Pale, announced at Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town that preparations for drilling activities will commence in March. He indicated that the government remains in the early stages of exploration across
Somaliland Plans to Launch Oil and Mineral Exploration by 2027, President Irro Says Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, has announced that the region expects to formally begin oil and mineral exploration by 2027. Speaking at the opening of the Somaliland Mining and Natural Resources Exhibition, President Irro said the region possesses significant untapped natural resources. He emphasized that the government is committed to developing these resources within a clear regulatory framework
ReconAfrica Begins Surface Sampling in Angola’s Damara Fold Belt to Unlock Onshore Oil Potential Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) has announced the deployment of a technical team to Angola’s Damara Fold Belt to conduct surface sampling in areas of potential oil seeps. The move marks the company’s first on-the-ground exploration activity in Angola and represents a significant milestone in its regional growth strategy. The announcement was made by Brian Reinsborough, CEO of ReconAfrica, during a technical
Corcel to Begin 326-km 2D Seismic Survey in Angola’s KON 16 Block with Exploration Well Planned for 2026 Independent oil and gas company Corcel plans to initiate a 326-kilometer 2D seismic data acquisition program in the second half of 2025, with the goal of drilling a new exploration well in Angola’s Block KON 16 approximately 12 months later. The announcement was made during a Corcel-sponsored pre-conference workshop on September 2, ahead of the Angola Oil
Egypt Secures $340M Investment from Shell, Eni, ARCIUS, and Zarubezhneft for Mediterranean and Delta Exploration The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has signed four major agreements with Shell, Eni, ARCIUS Energy, and Russia’s Zarubezhneft to expand oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean and Nile Delta regions. The agreements cover the drilling of 10 wells, with total minimum investments exceeding $340 million. Mahmoud Abdel Hamid, Chairman of EGAS, signed the agreements in the presence
Nigeria Signs Offshore Production-Sharing Contract with TotalEnergies and Sapetro to Boost Exploration Nigeria has signed a production-sharing contract (PSC) with TotalEnergies and local firm South Atlantic Petroleum (Sapetro) for two offshore blocks, aiming to attract investment and accelerate exploration under the country’s new oil framework. As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria seeks to revitalize its upstream sector amid global energy transition pressures and declining fossil fuel investments. The agreement covers petroleum prospecting licences (PPL) 2000
Africa’s 2025 Oil and Gas Boom: Congo, Rwanda, Namibia, and Angola Lead Exploration Growth Africa’s energy sector is accelerating in 2025, as countries across the continent announce major oil and gas discoveries, issue new exploration licenses, and launch ambitious surveys to tap untapped reserves. One of the latest developments is a new oil exploration licensing agreement between the Republic of Congo and Qatar. From Central Africa to the Atlantic coast, governments and international energy companies
Kenya Opens Bidding for 10 Oil Exploration Blocks with New Petroleum Legislation The East African nation holds a total of 50 blocks across four sedimentary basins, with 10 now ready for marketing, according to Mohamed Liban, Principal Secretary for Petroleum. Petroleum Commissioner Joseph Otieno said the blocks on offer are located in the Anza and Lamu basins. The selection of these blocks was guided by detailed geoscientific data, ensuring a transparent allocation process. The government
Shell Approved to Drill Deep-Water Wells Off South Africa’s West Coast in Promising Orange Basin Shell has secured environmental approval to drill up to five deep-water wells off the west coast of South Africa, marking a major step forward in the country’s offshore oil and gas exploration. The approved wells will be located in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block within the Orange Basin, an area with water depths ranging from 2,500 to 3,200 meters.
