Europa associate to farm out stakes offshore Equatorial Guinea
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc's associated entity, Antler Global Limited has secured a binding farmout agreement with Fuhai (Beijing) Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Fuhai Group New Energy Holding Co Ltd, to transfer a 40% stake in the offshore Equatorial Guinea EG-08 production sharing contract (PSC)
Following an initial announcement on 1 September 2026, the involved parties have agreed to extend the transaction's completion longstop date to 30 October 2026.
While the Ministry for Mining and Hydrocarbons Department of Equatorial Guinea has already given clearance, the deal is still awaiting Outbound Direct Investment (ODI) authorisation from the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission.
New Chinese regulations introduced on 1 July 2026 have lengthened the overall processing period for outbound investments. Nonetheless, the MDRC confirmed that Fuhai's paperwork is being actively processed, and Chinese authorities remain satisfied with the submission.
Europa maintains a 42.9% equity stake in Antler. Once the deal closes, ownership of the EG-08 PSC will be split as follows:
- Antler Global Limited: 40% working interest (retaining operatorship)
- Fuhai (Beijing) Energy Limited: 40% working interest
- GEPetrol (National Oil Company of Equatorial Guinea): 20% state interest
Despite the regulatory slowdown, the planned timeline for the Barracuda-1 exploration well remains unchanged. Drilling operations are anticipated to begin during the first half of 2027.
William Holland, chief executive officer of Europa, said, “While ODI approval is taking longer than anticipated, the direction of travel is clear. Fuhai's application continues to be processed, and we remain encouraged that the approval is close. We have used this time to ensure that we are fully prepared to commence the drilling process for Barracuda-1 as soon as ODI approval is secured, and we look forward to testing what we believe is a very exciting prospect.”