Egypt to Offer Offshore and Onshore Gas Exploration Blocks to International Firms in August Egypt is set to allocate a new round of gas exploration blocks to international energy companies in August, as part of its ongoing strategy to boost natural gas production and attract foreign investment into the country’s energy sector. The upcoming concessions include large onshore and offshore areas, primarily located in the northern and northeastern regions, with significant portions situated in the
De Beers, the global diamond mining giant, will commence diamond exploration activities in Angola’s Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces within the next two weeks, according to the company’s CEO, Al Cook. The announcement was made following a meeting with President João Lourenço in Luanda on Tuesday. According to a statement from the Press Office of the Presidency (CIPRA), accessed by VerAngola, the exploration marks the next phase following two years of aerial electromagnetic surveys
Egypt has launched a new round of gas exploration opportunities, offering 12 blocks to international energy companies in a bid to boost domestic production and attract foreign investment. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced the openings through its international bidding platform last week. The offering includes five offshore blocks and seven onshore sites, providing a strategic mix of exploration zones for potential investors. These 12 blocks are part of a broader licensing round
Africa Oil Corp. has confirmed that its Marula-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin did not encounter hydrocarbons in its primary target, despite the drilling operation being technically successful. As a result, a Drill Stem Test (DST) was not conducted. The Marula-1X well was safely drilled to a total measured depth of 6,460 metres using the Deepsea Mira semi-submersible drilling rig. The well targeted Albian-aged sandstones within the Marula fan complex, located approximately 47 kilometres
Turkey is actively negotiating new oil and gas exploration deals in Bulgaria, Iraq, and Libya as part of a broader push to boost domestic production and strengthen its role as a regional energy hub, according to Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. State-owned energy company Turkiye Petrolleri AO (TPAO) is expected to sign an agreement within the coming month with an undisclosed foreign partner to conduct offshore exploration in Bulgaria’s section of the Black Sea, Bloomberg reported.
ReconAfrica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) to jointly explore the Etosha-Okavango Basin in southeastern Angola. The agreement marks a significant expansion of ReconAfrica’s exploration footprint in the Damara Fold Belt and Rift Basin, adding 5.2 million acres in Angola to its existing 6.3 million acres in Namibia. This low-cost entry into Angola’s onshore sector comes with minimal work obligations and aligns with the company’s
Several multinational oil and gas companies, including Chevron, have withdrawn from Egypt’s Red Sea concession blocks following unsuccessful exploration efforts, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum. In 2019, Egypt awarded exploration licenses in the Red Sea to Chevron, Shell, and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company through an international bidding round aimed at positioning the country as a regional energy hub. “These companies invested millions of dollars within the agreed timelines,” said Moataz Atef, ministry
Angola’s National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnamese company Xuan Thiên Group (XTG) to explore the oil potential of the Etosha Okavango Basin. The agreement, signed in Luanda, marks a significant step toward assessing the region’s hydrocarbon resources. Key Highlights of the Agreement 🔹 Exploration Scope: The study will cover approximately 300,000 square kilometers in the Etosha/Okavango Basin.🔹 Seismic Data Acquisition: The project includes obtaining
Pancontinental has invested more than $5 million in the exploration of PEL 87 in Namibia’s Orange Basin during the first licence period. Awarded in early 2018, PEL 87 is a joint venture permit covering 10,970 km², with an eight-year exploration term divided into three periods, plus possible extensions. It can be converted into a production licence under pre-agreed terms. The permit is currently in its first additional exploration phase. Located on-trend with major hydrocarbon discoveries
Angola has identified 34 of the 54 critical minerals recognized by the European Union and is intensifying exploration, production, and downstream projects to unlock its mining potential. The government is actively promoting investment across the critical mineral value chain to drive economic diversification and boost revenue from the sector. Several mining projects are progressing across Angola. In January 2025, UK-based Pensana secured funding from South Africa’s Absa Bank to accelerate the development of the Longonjo
