Latest news with #Itoua
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Congo's Hydrocarbons Minister to Advance Licensing Round, Gas Agenda at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
The Republic of Congo's Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, will speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3. His participation reinforces Congo's drive to expand hydrocarbon production and mobilize investment across the oil and gas value chain. Minister Itoua's engagement at AEW comes as Congo prepares to launch its 2025 licensing round – central to its strategy of increasing oil output from 274,000 to 500,000 barrels per day by 2027. The round will unlock exploration and production opportunities across deepwater and marginal blocks, aiming to counter production declines and attract new capital into the upstream sector. In parallel, Congo is implementing an ambitious infrastructure development agenda anchored by its forthcoming Gas Master Plan, set to drive investment in pipelines, processing facilities and gas-to-power assets. Key developments include Eni's Congo LNG project, which targets LNG exports to Europe, and Wing Wah's Banga Kayo gas monetization initiative, aimed at strengthening domestic energy access. Minister Itoua will leverage the AEW platform to engage directly with global investors and partners, presenting opportunities for participation in the sector and reinforcing Congo's role as an emerging gas hub in Africa. Supporting this vision is a new Gas Code, expected to be finalized in 2025, which will establish a clear and transparent legal framework for gas monetization and long-term sector governance. These reforms are designed to enhance investor confidence and support the country's broader industrialization and energy security goals. Recent milestones underscore Congo's growing relevance in the global energy landscape. In February 2024, Eni shipped the country's first LNG cargo to Italy from the Tango FLNG facility under the Congo LNG project, marking a major step in unlocking its gas potential. TotalEnergies continues to lead offshore development with major producing fields such as Moho Nord and Nkossa. With Congo's energy sector already home to world-class operators, AEW 2025 provides a critical venue to deepen commercial engagement, explore partnerships and align with Congo's evolving investment framework. As the country prioritizes local value creation and sustainable development, strategic alliances with global players will be key to unlocking long-term growth. 'Minister Itoua's participation at AEW 2025 signals the Republic of Congo's firm commitment to expanding its hydrocarbon industry and creating new avenues for investment,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. 'As the country ramps up exploration, infrastructure development and gas monetization, Congo is positioning itself as a competitive and strategic player in Africa's energy future.' AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
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
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 Ministerial Panel: Republic of Congo to Promote Onshore Acreage in Upcoming Bid Round
The Republic of Congo's Ministry of Hydrocarbons announced that the upcoming 2025 licensing round will focus on onshore blocks in the country's continental basin. The announcement was made on March 25 by Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, during a ministerial panel discussion at the inaugural Congo Energy&investment Forum in Brazzaville. 'Our national development plan [aims to] develop the economy, but we cannot start without the development of hydrocarbons. We have no choice but to take care of hydrocarbons to give the country the capacity to develop,' Minister Itoua stated. During the panel session, Minister Itoua also highlighted the Ministry's plans to collaborate with oil and gas company Trident Energy to valorize associated gas from the country's N'Kossa oil field. The Minister announced it will launch an entity to monetize associated gas not used by international oil companies operating in the country as part of a strategy to reach zero flaring by 2030. Meanwhile, Aimé Sakombi Molendo, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announced that the country will hold discussions with the Republic of Congo on March 26 to explore bilateral cooperation and the possibility of co-developing hydrocarbon resources in cross-border basins. This comes as the DRC and Angola are set to kick off discussions with energy major Chevron for the joint development of the common interest zone between the two countries, with a governance agreement having been ratified in December last year. 'We will be discussing with the Republic of Congo bilaterally to see to what extent the two countries can benefit from co-development of our abundant hydrocarbon resources,' Minister Molendo stated. José Barroso, Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas for Angola, indicated the potential for developing joint projects in the energy sector with both the Republic of Congo and the DRC. Barroso highlighted the need to create the requisite technical conditions to incentivize national companies to participate in their respective markets in the three countries. 'In the pipeline, we have projects that we are discussing amongst ourselves, and in the short future, we will be able to communicate more on this,' Barroso stated. Meanwhile, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), discussed the role the upcoming African Energy Bank will have on resource monetization and development in Africa. Spearheaded by APPO and the African Export-Import Bank, the bank aims to facilitate, promote and finance the development of Africa's oil, gas and energy industries. According to Dr. Farouk, both the bank and the private sector will have an important role to play in ensuring that regional markets move forward and drive cross-border development. 'None of our countries have what it takes to address the challenges of energy by themselves. The African Energy Bank is an example of how Africa wants to be independent and be in control of its resources,' Dr. Farouk stated. An outline of the Republic of Congo's 2025 licensing round will be presented during the Congo Energy&Investment Forum. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power. About the Congo Energy&Investment Forum: 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.
Zawya
12-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister Itoua: Congo's Energy Ambitions Set for Full Display at Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025
Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua has announced that the Ministry will leverage the upcoming inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum (CEIF) to support the country's long-term view to becoming a major player in regional energy development. Taking place from March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, CEIF 2025 will connect project developers with Congolese regulators and policymakers while enabling candid dialogue and facilitating new investments and deals in the country's energy sector. Set to headline CEIF 2025, Minister Itoua's leadership in Congo has been instrumental in driving forward ambitious reforms and initiatives aimed at maximizing the country's energy potential. The inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationales des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the industry. During CEIF 2025, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons will launch its 2025 licensing round, offering onshore, offshore and marginal acreage to potential investors and developers. This year's licensing round aligns with the country's strategy to increase oil production from the current 274,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 500,000 bpd by the end of this year. 'We hope that through the conference, we will be able to launch a tender,' Minister Itoua stated. 'We have many licenses available, and we will make them available for tender. We have very large areas in which we have information proving that we have high potential.' Meanwhile, the Ministry is also set to launch a new Gas Master Plan for the country at CEIF 2025. Originally announced by Minister Itoua at last year's African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 in Cape Town, the Gas Master Plan aims to consolidate the position of existing exploration and production companies while attracting new investments to the country's natural gas sector. 'We hope to be a key player, especially in gas. We want to become a key player in terms of finding opportunities. Congo could be the biggest place for refining, not only for Africa, but also on an international level,' Minister Itoua added. CEIF 2025 will provide a platform for investors and industry leaders to explore the nation's recent developments, which have been driven by the strategic leadership of Minister Itoua. Among these initiatives is the Marine XII LNG development, which exported its first cargo in early-2024 from the Tango FLNG facility and is projected to reach 3 million tons of LNG per year this year. Meanwhile, key players such as Trident Energy and Perenco have expanded their presence in Congo, acquiring major assets and driving upstream development in alignment with the Ministry's efforts to foster an investment-friendly environment. The forum is expected to bring together policymakers, international oil companies, independent explorers and financiers to discuss strategies for maximizing the country's hydrocarbon potential, expanding LNG production and advancing green energy solutions. As such, Minister Itoua's participation will set the tone for discussions while highlighting the country's vision for the energy sector and its plans to secure long-term partnerships. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
