Latest news with #CongoEnergy&InvestmentForum2025
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025: Collaboration Key to Achieving 500,000 BPD Target
Collaboration was identified as being a key pillar for achieving the Republic of Congo's oil production goals during a Congo Energy&Investment Forum 2025 panel discussion sponsored by Weatherford – an Associate Sponsor of CEIF 2025. Operators and service providers underscored the value of partnerships in maximizing output at mature fields as well as the need for aligned priorities, including exploration and supply chain development. Targeting 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) within the next three years, the Republic of Congo is seeking investment across the upstream sector, from greenfield to brownfield assets. In a keynote address ahead of the panel, Omar Yordi, EUA Product Line Director Production, Digital and Well Services, Weatherford, emphasized the value of mature field development in achieving production goals. 'It is vital to address field challenges in mature assets, where we work together in collaboration with service providers, plan accordingly and maintain the outcome of the job. The most successful jobs we have undertaken in recent years have been through intrinsic collaboration,' he said. Companies active across the broader region have been highly successful in maximizing output at mature fields. According to Osayande Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies, the company 'doubled its production in Nigeria after taking over an asset in 2021. We used a unique approach called brownfield excellence. Our goals were maximizing oil potential, optimizing facilities and sustainably maximizing production. Today, we have over 90 wells producing.' Through collaboration, companies active in Congo can unlock addition value at mature fields. Collaboration will not only enable operators to share risk and reduce working costs, but leverage the expertise of other players to drive projects forward. Antoine Berel, Managing Director Sub-Saharan Africa, Halliburton, said that, 'The priority must be to make sure that the cost of operation remains low, to ensure that Congo remains competitive in international markets. Halliburton aims to collaborate to find solutions that maximize the value of producing assets.' Yachtze Luchin, President&CEO, Unite Oil&Gas – a Silver Sponsor of CEIF 2025 – added that, 'Partnerships are important because no one person by themselves has the answer. When you bring a collective gathering of people together, you give yourself a better chance to be successful.' Achieving the target of 500,000 bpd will require a strategic approach, incorporating both investment in frontier exploration as well as field intervention and redevelopment. As one of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producers, the Republic of Congo has a diverse slate of oilfields, with opportunities in shallow water acreage, onshore blocks and deepwater basins offering enticing prospects for major operators. Tim O'Hanlon, Senior Adviser, Panoro Energy, said that 'The country has everything: onshore, offshore, big assets, small assets, brownfields, gas and blocks yet to be developed. It has ambitious targets and there is a lot of talent in the oil industry, with cutting edge [solutions].' He added that Congo will not achieve its production goals with existing assets alone, but 'should promote exploration in new fields. Congo has a lot of potential. What is important is to be flexible and have an attractive fiscal framework. Congo is a safe and pleasant place to work.' Echoing these remarks, Jean-Michel Jacoulot, CEO of Trident Energy, said that 'If you want to achieve these objectives in three years, we need to focus on exploration prospects that are not far from infrastructure. Congo must promote attractive fields in order to attract investment. We are competing with other countries in the sub-region and Congo needs to promote visibility, transparency and policy.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Congo's Hydrocarbons Minister Endorses Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2026, Eyes 500,000 bpd Production Target
H.E. Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, has endorsed the continuation of the Congo Energy&Investment Forum (CEIF) through 2026, emphasizing its role in supporting the country's ambitious production targets. During a Fireside Chat with Daisy Portella at the Congo Energy&Investment Forum 2025, Minister Itoua said, 'Considering Congo's objective to reach 500,000 barrels per day in the next three years, I want CEIF to be held annually for the next three years.' Minister Itoua also announced plans to revise the 2016 Hydrocarbons Code to make it more attractive and modern. Minister Itoua announced that the revision is part of the ministry's strategy to enhance oil production by developing marginal fields. 'We are working on revisiting the 2016 Hydrocarbons Code to modernize it and make it more attractive,' he stated. Discussing marginal fields, he outlined opportunities for local companies. 'Marginal fields provide immediate cash flow. They require only minimal additional investment and are within the reach of national companies. 'With the African Petroleum Producers Organization countries, we are considering this approach. Once we master this, we can move on to exploration.' He encouraged local players' participation, adding, 'We want to see national companies become true industrial players. There are opportunities for national oil companies to partner and grow.' Minister Itoua shared the same objective for the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), stating, 'SNPC holds some marginal fields, such as Konkuala. I want to see SNPC become the Perenco of Congo. I intend to propose new offshore marginal fields to SNPC.' As part of this strategy, Minister Itoua plans to launch a new licensing round soon to attract investment in deepwater, marginal fields, and gas assets. 'There may be a session soon to launch the new licensing round with Energy Capital&Power. We want to give access to deepwater acreage, some marginal fields, and a special bid round focused on gas,' he stated. The Minister also emphasized the growing importance of gas in the country's energy strategy. 'We have accelerated the adoption of a gas code and we intend to create the Office Congolais du Gaz to serve as a local intermediary for stakeholders in the gas value chain,' he said. 'We are ready to discuss and support any gas project.' Minister Itoua sees gas as a transition fuel that will enable Congo to achieve energy security while highlighting the continued need for fossil fuels. 'Studies show that until 2040, the global energy mix will still require 40% fossil energy,' he noted. 'Africa is working for the world, and gas is now recognized as the ideal transition fuel.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 Panel Underscores Congo's Potential to Meet Regional Petroleum Demand
The Republic of Congo is well-positioned to contribute toward regional demand for petroleum, given the country's operating Congolaise de Raffinage (CORAF) refinery and strategic geographic location. A downstream panel discussion at the Congo Energy&Investment Forum 2025 highlighted that the modernization of CORAF and future downstream investments can support growing demand for fuel, as Central Africa's population is expected to rapidly grow. 'Congo's population is expected to add five million people by 2050. Geographically, the country is also blessed to be situated next to the DRC. So, you have a massive market right here. I am excited to get to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) [in Congo], but most people don't see crude oil: they use jet fuel, diesel and by-products. We need to talk about infrastructure investments,' stated Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners&Distributors Association. The Republic of Congo's ambitions to increase oil and gas output to 500,000 bpd and three million tons per annum (mtpa), respectively, coincide with a drive to enhance fuel security in both the country and broader region. At present, the country's CORAF refinery has a processing capacity of one mtpa, converting crude oil into finished products such as butane gas, gasoline, kerosene and light diesel. 'CORAF was designed to work with one million tons of crude petroleum. Today, it continues to satisfy the needs of the local market, catering for between 65% to 70% of demand while the rest is imported to help the country. CORAF is in the process of being modernized in order to increase its production capacity,' stated Richard Ngola, Managing Director: Downstream, Ministry of Hydrocarbons, Republic of Congo. This modernization started in 2015, when the need to improve operating units became prevalent. According to Patrice Yao, Deputy Administrator at CORAF, 'We designed a development plan to enable new units to be installed and to modernize the piloting system. When the units are old, you have the challenge of maintenance, technological issues and human resources. New units enabled an increase in processing capacity.' However, Yao believes that this is not enough, and the country needs to increase the quantity of products for the national market while investing in new downstream projects. To increase downstream capacity, the government has initiated the construction of a second facility: the Atlantic Petrochemical Refinery. This facility – developed in partnership with Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment – will have a capacity of 2.3 mtpa in the first phase, focusing on high-quality gasoline and diesel. Set to start operations in late-2025, the refinery will provide a much-needed boost for the country's downstream sector. However, Kragha noted that downstream investments need to go beyond refining. 'You need to look not only at the refinery expansion but the supporting infrastructure to be able to deliver on your objectives,' he said. The inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum, taking place March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nguya Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) to Sail Away from China in September 2025
Nguya Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) is set to sail away from China in September 2025, Federico Ricco, Development Director at Congo LNG, said at the Congo Energy&Investment Forum 2025 during the FLNG Developments in the Republic of Congo session. The addition of the Nguya FLNG vessel is part of the second phase of the Congo LNG project – which began operating in December 2023 – and is expected to increase the project's production capacity by 2.4 million tons per annum (mtpa). "The vessel is currently under construction in China and will allow us to increase production to 3 million tons per year," Ricco stated. As the operator of Congo LNG, Eni has been at the forefront of gas monetization in the Republic of Congo, first with the development of the Centrale Électrique du Congo gas-to-power plant in 2011 and later through the implementation of the Congo LNG project. Ricco explained that "the first phase was completed within 12 months to enable LNG exports, which is remarkably fast." Echoing Ricco's comments on the speed of FLNG deployment, Marien Ibiaho, Area Sales Manager for Europe&Africa at NOV, emphasized that, "Many LNG projects involve large-scale infrastructure and extensive construction. The advantage of FLNG is that it enables rapid gas monetization. The delivery timeline is fast - less than two years." For the Republic of Congo, FLNG has played a key role in positioning the country as an LNG exporter. Looking ahead, Ricco emphasized the need for continued exploration, greater collaboration and leveraging LNG to further strengthen Congo's industrial capacity. 'We must keep exploring, work alongside other operators to maximize value in Congo, and ensure that LNG enhances the country's industrial growth," Ricco said. Expanding on his comments, Ibiaho stated, "For FLNG projects to succeed, the approach must be built on partnerships, not just a client-service provider relationship.' Dr. Tsoumou-Gavouka Communications and Public Relations Advisor to the Director General, SNPC underscored the importance of partnerships in Congo's LNG development, suggesting that Eni collaborate with Chinese oil company Wing Wah, which is preparing to launch its own LNG project. The inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
28-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Congo's Strategy to Advance Local Content Hydrocarbon Sector
The Republic of Congo is prioritizing local content development within its hydrocarbon sector through a combination of government policy and private sector initiatives. The country's approach aims to maximize domestic benefits from its vast energy resources, with a focus on job creation, technology transfer and building local expertise. Regulatory Framework for Local Content In line with its economic goals, the government has established policies to ensure that Congo's energy sector benefits local businesses and workers. The Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua recently launched a registration campaign for subcontracting and service companies in the oil and gas industry. This initiative is designed to enhance transparency and improve the integration of local companies into the industry. The government's strategy is embodied in the Hydrocarbons Code, which mandates the prioritization of Congolese nationals in the workforce. The law encourages partnerships between foreign oil companies and local enterprises, with a focus on capacity building and knowledge sharing. This regulatory framework is supplemented by the development of a comprehensive law on local content, targeting multiple sectors, including hydrocarbons, mining and digital economy. The aim is to diversify the economy and foster the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises. Private Sector Initiatives While the government sets the framework, private sector companies are taking proactive steps to promote local content. Energy supermajor TotalEnergies employs around 600 local staff in Congo compared to just 40 expatriates, showcasing it commitment to workplace integration. The company also invests in training and development programs to equip Congolese employees with the skills needed for higher-level roles. In June 2024, TotalEnergies committed $600 million to expand production at the Moho Nord offshore field, with a focus on involving local subcontractors and training programs. Similarly, Italian multinational energy company Eni is investing in local workforce development. As part of its efforts to prepare for the launch of LNG production last year, the company trained 40 Congolese employees in liquefaction technologies. This initiative helped to ensure that Congo has the skilled workforce its needs to manage LNG facilities and reduce reliance on foreign specialists. To further drive local content development, the inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum 2025, will be held in Brazzaville from March 24-26, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société National des Pétroles du Congo. The event will bring together government leaders, private sector companies and international investors to discuss progress in integrating local businesses into the energy sector. It will also provide a platform for Congolese companies to explore new opportunities and forge partnerships with global players. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
