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With this acquisition, UEG's current production will reach 39,000 boepd. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Exploration

To further expand its footprint in Egypt since Kuwait Energy acquisition in 2019, United Energy Group has signed a sale and purchase agreement with Apex International Energy LP to acquire its entire upstream assets via United Energy (MENA) Limited

A significant producer in the Western Desert of Egypt, Apex's area of operations spanned beyond 3,500 sq km, including eight onshore concessions. Its gross production count for 2024 stands at 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). 

Apex had acquired six of these concessions in 2023 from IEOC Production, a unit of Eni. It included IEOC’s interests in the Ras Qattara, West El Razzak, East Kanayis, and the West Abu Gharadig concessions. The company had made the acquisition to see its first gas production, and become a front runner in the booming Egyptian natural gas industry

With this acquisition, UEG's current production count of 22,000 boepd will shoot up to 39,000 boepd, adding to its existing interests in five concessions. Besides production optimisation, this move also highlights the company's focus on asset integration to have greater control over field development before exploration. Enhanced oil recovery with strong technical support will be the company's watchword to chase growth potential in its Egyptian acreage. The acquisition will allow UEG to advance regional integration to solidify its global energy supply chain, which will also benefit Egypt's energy industry.

With the merger agreements now approved by the Egyptian Cabinet, UEG is looking forward to better fiscal terms, increased investment, greater economic potential and long-term value creation. 

Extensive deepwater data from PGS

Egypt continues to be a coveted exploration spot globally, especially to harness its gas resources. Last year, geoscience data provider PGS had released 3D seismic data over the deepwater area between the Nile delta and the Herodotus Basin as part of its EGY23 Merneith & Luxor survey. 

Acquired with Ramform vessels and GeoStreamer broadband technology, the 6,175 sq km EGY23 Merneith & Luxor survey draws on the expertise of PGS's partners the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS). The GeoStreamer-acquired data covers both low and high-frequency information that can make a huge difference in interpreting structures and analysing rock property. 

The survey cracked into an underexplored and unlicensed deepwater area and extracted 3D data from the region, marking a significant upgrade from the currently available 2D data.

A Messinian evaporite layer of variable thickness extends across most of the area. The survey is tied to the Kiwi-1 well, one of the few wells in this deepwater area, and primary targets are likely to be presalt Oligo-Miocene structures with clastic reservoirs.

 

 

The Seismic License provides Woodside ongoing rights to the PEL 87 3D seismic data. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

Geology & Geophysics

Pancontinental Energy NL has delivered the Seismic License for PEL 87 offshore Namibia to Woodside Energy following relevant approval from the Namibian authority

The Seismic License provides Woodside ongoing rights to the PEL 87 3D seismic data, the acquisition and processing of which was funded by it. While Pancontinental Orange Pty Ltd holds 75% operatorship in the PEL 87 Joint Venture, there is an exclusive scope for Woodside to derive over a 56% participating interest from Pancontinental’s shares. 

Pancontinental, on the other hand, has an option over a 1% participating interest to be derived from the 15% share exercised by Custos Investments (Pty) Ltd

The Seismic License delivery marks the origin of the 180 days-long Long Stop Date which is 18 May 2025, when Woodside Energy may exercise its option to farmin to PEL 87.

Orange Basin

Besides Pancontinental and Custos, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) owns a 10% interest in the PEL 87 Joint Venture. 

PEL 87 belongs in the Orange Basin which keeps giving, with latest light oil discovery reported in March from Mopane in PEL 83

Tullow will use Opsealog's tools to track vessels. (Image source: Opsealog)

Technology

Tullow Oil has initiated a digitalisation drive for its offshore assets in Ghana with the support of Opsealog, a data integration and analysis services provider

“This partnership with Opsealog marks an important step in the digitalisation of our marine operations, equipping our teams with granular, data-driven insights to improve the performance of our fleet and reduce our environmental footprint. This ability to leverage data to benchmark, report and boost our efficiency is essential to our strategic vision of building a better future through responsible oil and gas development in Africa,” said Samuel Kwesi Dickson, head of logistics, Tullow

Tullow's offshore assets in Ghana include four platform supply vessels (PSVs) and anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels. With Opsealog's data integration and performance platform, Marinsights, Tullow can accurately track the vessels on multiple levels, from fuel to freshwater, and also monitor crew certificates. The data aqcuired following these trackings will help Tullow to not only optimise fuel consumption, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Digital monitoring with Opsealog's Streamlog will eliminate the risks of duplicated input, while streamlining data collection for weekly, monthly, and yearly reports. This will save Tullow crew time, and ensure forecasting and cost tracking. 

“This project is a great example of how data and fuel efficiency expertise can work together towards sustainability objectives. It empowers Tullow Oil Ghana’s onshore teams with the right data to deliver high-value analysis and inform strategic decision-making to improve the utilisation of their assets. We are proud to be part of this initiative, which optimises several operational aspects, from fuel efficiency to crew management,” said Briac Lemee, business development manager at Opsealog

4D seismic monitoring in Jubilee

Tullow's assets in Ghana includes the Jubilee and TEN fields, in both of which it holds interests with operatorship status. 

In Jubilee, the company has initiated 4D seismic monitoring under a contract with Shearwater Geoservices Holding AS.

The two-month survey is set to begin this year, utilising capacity from Shearwater’s high-end fleet, supported by the company’s state-of-the-art technology offering and extensive operational experience. This will be the first contract conducted by Shearwater Ghana, in conjunction with local partner Destra Energy; and will include considerable local content participation.

“Our leading towed streamer technology is an ideal fit for the Jubilee field, enabling repeatable surveys to provide Tullow and partners with high-quality data in support of better-informed reservoir optimisation. We look forward to executing this project as part of our long-standing commitment to our clients in Ghana and West Africa,” said Irene Basili, CEO of Shearwater.

The ESIA approval will help advance pilot production activities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Gas

Invictus Energy Limited has announced that the Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has approved the Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for pilot production activities at the Cabora Bassa Project

Pilot production activities include the Eureka Gold Mine Gas-to-power Project and incorporates gas extraction, liquefaction, and transport from the Mukuyu gas field, as well as future extraction operations.

The approval provides a clear pathway for the commercialisation of gas resources from the Cabora Bassa Basin. Following the approval, the Company was issued with License No: L10000062291.

Invictus Energy managing director Scott Macmillan said, “The ESIA approval is a critical milestone for Invictus, and paves the way for the future development of the Mukuyu gas field and broader exploration license areas. We will now finalise pilot production planning, secure all necessary permits, and advance discussions with additional potential offtake partners.

Invictus remains committed to unlocking Zimbabwe’s gas potential and delivering long-term value to shareholders and the broader region.

I look forward to providing further updates as we advance these pilot production activities.”

Gas-to-power projects

The ESIA approval is a pivotal step towards the commencement of pilot production activities, including the Eureka Gold Mine gas-to-power project. This project is being developed in collaboration with Dallaglio (owner of Eureka Mine) and Himoinsa SA (onsite power generation provider to Eureka), leveraging Mukuyu’s gas resources to supply reliable and cost-effective power to the mine.

Invictus and Himoinsa SA have been actively engaging with various technology providers for gas processing, liquefaction, and logistics solutions to feed into the feasibility study, which is progressing in tandem. These engagements are aimed at identifying optimal technologies to maximise efficiency and commercial viability for the pilot production phase and subsequent large-scale development.

Initial Eureka gas-to-power project feasibility study results indicate a high look-through gas price exceeding US$10/GJ for gas-fired power generation, based on current grid tariff rates. This underscores the economic viability of the Mukuyu gas field as a strategic energy source for power generation in Zimbabwe and the broader region.

The ESIA expands on the initial 2019 assessment, which was one of the most extensive environmental studies ever undertaken in Zimbabwe. The 2019 study included rigorous field surveys and baseline measurements across multiple disciplines, including hydrology, ecology, environmental and archaeological assessments, hydrogeological and soil surveys, as well as socioeconomic and community consultations. Key stakeholders engaged during the assessment process included local leaders, relevant government ministries, and government extension offices.

The ESIA approval reinforces Invictus Energy’s commitment to responsible and sustainable resource development, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental and social governance (ESG) standards while advancing Zimbabwe’s domestic energy security.

Diesel, petrol and kerosene were delivered. (Image source: NNPC)

Downstream

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has restreamed the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), commencing crude oil processing from the plant for the delivery of petroleum products into the market

The NNPC group chief executive officer, Mele Kyari, announced the development, expressing his gratitude to all stakeholders involved, and marked the occasion as an era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.

Products delivered included premium motor spirit (PMS), automotive gas oil (AGO) and household kerosene (HHK), among others. 

The PHRC rehabilitation project, is an engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) project that is aimed at restoring the refinery to full functionality and renewal.

 

The event will delve into regional success stories. (Image source: EAECS)

Event News

The East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (EA-ECS), taking place 29-30 January in Arusha, Tanzania, will be uniting the region's energy independent poiwer producers (IPPs) and engineering, procurement, construction and financing contract (EPCF) stakeholders to discuss the region's investment potential and innovations taking place in the industry

The event will delve into the success stories, including the Ethiopia-Kenya electricity highway, highlighting the role of cross-border collaboration for economic and social development.

Led by Ministers from across the EAC and large-scale energy users, over two days, the Arusha Summit will deep dive into opportunities for the private sector, advocating for a diversified energy mix to maintain grid stability to support major industrial growth, as well as C&I generation.

“Energy is a pillar for development and growth and is crucial for the functioning of the economies of the EAC Partner States. The East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit will serve as the ideal platform for advancing projects and bringing tangible changes in the industry,” said Andrea Malueth, deputy secretary general (Infrastructure, Productive, Social & Political Sectors), East African Community Secretariat.

“Ten years from now, the EAC’s middle classes will have more job stability, more opportunities, and more disposable income than ever before. New railways, industries, ports, and tourism will position the region as the number one investment destination globally, taking the title back from both parts of Asia and Latin America,” said Elisa Palmioli, producer, EnergyNet, which is organising the event. 

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