TotalEnergies Takes Over Operatorship of Mopane Oil Discovery in Namibia, Targets Drilling From 2026 TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Galp to assume operatorship of Namibia’s offshore Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 83, which contains the Mopane oil discovery. Under the terms of the agreement, the partners will implement a defined exploration and appraisal program over the next two years, including the drilling of three wells. The first well is planned for 2026, as the partners
Libya’s NOC Advances Plans for First Deepwater Drilling in Sirte Basin Offshore Block Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced preparations for the country’s first deepwater exploration well in the Sirte Basin, marking a potential shift toward offshore exploration that has long been discussed but never executed. While planning is well advanced, industry observers note that the true test will come once drilling operations begin. As part of the preparations, NOC’s Exploration and Drilling teams
Chevron to Expand in Nigeria with 2025 Licensing Round and 2026 Offshore Drilling Plans Chevron has announced its intention to participate in Nigeria’s upcoming oil licensing round and plans to deploy a drilling rig in late 2026 as part of its strategy to expand operations in Africa’s largest oil producer. Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit, highlighted the company’s aim to strengthen its presence in Nigeria, citing the clearer regulatory
Tullow Oil Secures New Gas Deal and Plans Jubilee and TEN License Extensions in Ghana Through 2040 Tullow Oil is advancing plans to extend the operating licenses for Ghana’s Jubilee and TEN fields to 2040, following the finalization of a new gas sales agreement. The company is now working closely with government authorities to finalize the remaining agreements. Tullow’s newly appointed CEO, Ian Perks, who assumed the role in September 2025, highlighted these objectives in
Eni Advances Congo LNG Phase 2 with Early Gas Flow and Nguya FLNG Arrival, First Export Set for 2026 Eni has commenced Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project ahead of schedule, following the arrival of the Nguya FLNG unit and the entry of gas into the new offshore infrastructure. The company aims to export the first LNG cargo in early 2026. Phase 2 introduces three additional production platforms, the Scarabeo 5 unit for gas
Nigeria Emerges as Permanent Headquarters of AFRIPERF as NUPRC CEO Gbenga Komolafe Appointed Chairman The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), a coalition of oil and gas regulatory authorities across Africa, has selected Nigeria as its permanent headquarters and appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, as its substantive chairman. The decision was reached during AFRIPERF’s inaugural Executive Committee meeting, which was held virtually on December 2, 2025.
Shell Secures Major Offshore Expansion in South Africa’s Orange Basin with PetroSA Farm-In Deal South Africa’s state-owned PetroSA has approved a farm-in agreement granting Shell Offshore a 60% operating stake in Block 2C, significantly expanding the oil major’s presence in the strategic Orange Basin, according to a company document reviewed by Reuters. The Orange Basin, located along the maritime border between South Africa and Namibia, has become a leading exploration hotspot following several major discoveries
TotalEnergies Expands Offshore Namibia Footprint With Galp Asset Swap, Gains Control of Mopane Discovery TotalEnergies has strengthened its position in offshore Namibia after reaching an asset-swap agreement with Portugal’s Galp, granting the French major operatorship of the significant Mopane oil discovery. Under the terms of the deal, Galp will transfer its 40% interest in the PEL83 license, which contains the Mopane discovery. In exchange, Galp will receive a 10% stake in TotalEnergies’ PEL56 license—home to
BW Energy and Maurel & Prom Acquire Stakes in Angola’s Block 14 and 14K from Azule Energy BW Energy, in partnership with Maurel & Prom, has signed an agreement to acquire offshore interests in Angola from Azule Energy, marking BW Energy’s entry into the Angolan upstream sector. Under the transaction, the consortium will obtain a combined 20% non-operated interest in Block 14 and a 10% non-operated interest in Block 14K. BW Energy’s share of the
Lobito Refinery Set to Begin Production in 2027 as Sonangol Prioritizes Strategic Energy Infrastructure The construction of the Lobito refinery is a top priority for Sonangol, according to the Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo. The minister made the statement during a meeting with the Governor of Benguela, Manuel Nunes Júnior, where progress on the project was reviewed. Speaking at the meeting, Diamantino Azevedo reiterated the strategic importance of the refinery, emphasizing
