In The Spotlight
PETAN’s SAIPEC 2025 returns to Lagos, spotlighting Africa’s energy projects, local content, and regional collaborations across 50+ countries. (Image source: SAIPEC)
The Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), will be held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos from 11-13 February 2025
Celebrating its 9th edition, SAIPEC 2025 is strategically supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and over 30 national oil companies and regulatory bodies from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This prestigious event will spotlight multi-billion-dollar project opportunities in Africa and serve as a vital platform for advancing the continent’s energy, oil, and gas ambitions. Maintaining its focus on local content, the conference expects over 6,000 participants, including representatives from National and International Oil Companies, government agencies, regulators, and service providers from more than 50 countries.
Driving energy transformation
The three-day agenda promises impactful discussions, featuring keynote speeches from industry leaders, country showcases, and themes such as driving Africa’s energy future and economic growth plans. SAIPEC’s African Content Series, hosted by the NCDMB for the 5th year, will explore strategies for enhancing regional collaboration. Additional sessions will address critical topics like African gas strategies, financing opportunities, and Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion initiatives, emphasising the importance of inclusive progress in Africa’s energy sector.
Returning this year is the 'SAIPEC Future Generations Conference', designed to inspire young African energy professionals, along with the SAIPEC Technical sessions and the distinguished SAIPEC Awards, recognising innovations and accomplishments in the industry. Networking will be a key feature, offering attendees exclusive receptions, partnership-building events, and PETAN’s signature golf day.
The international exhibition, a core component of SAIPEC, will showcase cutting-edge technology, innovations, and services spanning the energy value chain. Global exhibitors will highlight advancements in drilling, exploration, digital solutions, and sustainability, providing attendees with opportunities to connect directly with leading suppliers, service providers, and technology developers shaping Africa’s energy future.
This year is particularly significant for host PETAN, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of excellence in Africa’s oil and gas sector. Ibe Chubby Ibe, PETAN/SAIPEC Conference Chair, remarked, “SAIPEC 2025 stands as a testament to our commitment to driving Africa’s energy transformation, creating sustainable growth, and fostering inclusive partnerships across the continent. This year’s program is our most ambitious yet, showcasing innovative strategies, regional collaborations, and groundbreaking advancements in Africa’s oil and gas sector. We are excited to bring together industry leaders, experts and future visionaries to shape a prosperous and energy-secure future for Sub-Saharan Africa.”
The comprehensive event programme is now available for download on the SAIPEC website, offering attendees an in-depth look at the schedule to prepare for this landmark 9th edition of Africa’s premier energy conference.
The new solution extends SLB's autonomous drilling capabilities. (Image source: SLB)
SLB has added AI-driven geosteering to its autonomous drilling solutions with the launch of Neuro autonomous geosteering, which dynamically responds to subsurface complexities to drill more efficient, higher-performing wells, while reducing the carbon footprint of the drilling operations
Using artificial intelligence (AI), Neuro geosteering integrates and interprets complex real-time subsurface information to autonomously guide the drill bit through the most productive layer or “sweet spot” of the reservoir. Instead of geologists needing to manually interpret this data to identify a well target, update the well plan and trajectory, and communicate this to the directional driller, Neuro geosteering performs all of these steps end to end — without any human intervention.
“Neuro autonomous geosteering is a remarkable industry-first achievement that is for drillers what the autonomous vehicle is for drivers,” said Jesus Lamas, president, Well Construction, SLB. “Using advanced cloud and edge AI capabilities, the system automatically selects the best route for drilling the well based on high-fidelity downhole measurements, bringing the well trajectory in line with the real-world conditions of the reservoir. By drilling more consistent and higher-producing wells, our customers can optimise their field development plan while reducing operational emissions from drilling over the lifetime of the asset.”
The policy will ensure local collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The National Upstream Local Content Policy now stands official post approval by the government of Namibia
As Namibia continues to give international-scale discoveries since the last few years, this new policy will be put into place to navigate the high-risk investment zone it is turning into. The region's rapid upstream growth have also triggered its digital advancement with companies such as Baker Hughes and Halliburton entering the market.
Prioritising local content
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the policy will serve in alignment with the country's broader development frameworks, such as the National Development Plan, Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030, to realise the goal of an industrialised economy that is primarily led by local expertise and resources.
While ensuring regulatory flexibility for investors, the new policy also mandates operators to submit extensive 'Local Content Plans' in their proposal for exploration and production license acquisition. This implies clarifying the operators' collaboration plans with indigenous workforces and services.
The contract is expected to start in Q3 2025. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The Norve jack-up rig is gearing up for action in West Africa as Borr Drilling Limited announced a new, US$58mn contract with a returning customer
Anticipated to take around 320 days, the contract scope includes five wells firm, with an additional five optional wells at mutually agreed prices.
Currently operating for Marathon Oil
The contract is expected to start in Q3 2025, following the completion of the premium rig's current operations for Marathon Oil.
Marathon Oil's operations, which are in line with the government's Gas Mega Hub initiative in Equatorial Guinea, is also supported by Petrofac under a master service agreement.
The phase out of cuts shift from 12 months to 18 months. (Image source: Rystad Energy)
OPEC+ members have extended the voluntary adjustments of 1.65 million bpd announced in April 2023 until the end of December 2026
The organisation has extended the additional voluntary adjustments of 2.2 million bpd announced in November 2023 until the end of March 2025, with shifting the phase out from September 2025 to September 2026
New compensation schedules for overproducing countries will be submitted by the end of December 2024.
“Oil markets have been anxiously awaiting this OPEC+ meeting since the US election results made clear a Trump 2.0 presidency was on the horizon. Trump’s tariff-forward stance toward China and persisting weak demand provided the group with all of the encouragement needed to extend production cuts until the first quarter of 2025. The overall signal to the market is constructive and will likely prevent any price downsides in the short term. The announcement makes crystal clear that the group is worried about both a potential supply glut and a lack of compliance with production targets among member countries,” said Mukesh Sahdev, global head of commodity markets, Rystad Energy.
Addressing supply glut
The latest OPEC+ announcement hints that compliance among members is a concern. The organisation, however, has maintained that monthly changes can be paused or reversed at any time.
With the latest announcement, the production profile and oil balances clearly indicate an acknowledgment of the emerging supply glut without the extension in 2025.
The phase out of cuts shift from 12 months to 18 months is constructive for the crude balances for 2025, with a swing from average 0.7 million bpd surplus to average 0.3 million bpd deficit.
The confirmation that the UAE’s new baseline (300,000 bpd higher) will only start in April 2025 and will be gradually phased in over an 18-month period establishes the country's firm commitment towards OPEC+.
Rystad believes that the non-OPEC+ supply hasn't posed much of a concern for OPEC+.
Intelli suite of diagnostic well intervention wireline logging services. (Image source: Halliburton)
Halliburton has introduced the Intelli suite of diagnostic well intervention wireline logging services
Whether integrated or used individually, this suite of services help in production optimisation by ensuring customised and improved well insights, supporting asset life expansion, and operational costs reduction.
"As customers look to maximise production and improve the efficiency of their wells, our Intelli suite helps improve downhole insights in a highly customisable way. Because each job is unique, we wanted to develop a suite of products that could be used individually, or as an integrated solution, ultimately, delivering a better experience and result for our customers," said Chris Tevis, Vice President of Wireline and Perforating.
A complete diagnostic well intervention package, the suite consists of IntelliSat, IntelliFlow, IntelliGuard and IntelliScope.
The IntelliSat pulsed-neutron logging service provides reservoir insights either in open hole or after a well is completed. This service helps improve recovery with the detection of bypassed pay, and provides spectroscopy and KUTh measurements.
The IntelliFlow array production logging service is co-located with fluid ID and flow rate sensors to ensure high accuracy of production profiles, precision phase analysis, and dynamic flow information.
The IntelliGuard corrosion evaluation service is the next generation high-definition casing inspection technology, quantifing metal loss in up to seven concentric casings, and pinpointing damage without the need for costly well intervention.
The IntelliScope leak and flow diagnostic service identifies precise leak sources and flow paths vertically and radially behind pipe in a single, continuous pass.
The agreement allows Eni an exploration period of nine years. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Four new exploration blocks offshore Ivory Coast have been handed over to oil major Eni by the country's Ministry of Mines, Oil and Energy as per an acquisition agreement signed in Abidjan during SIREXE, the International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources
The agreement allows Eni an exploration period of nine years on the blocks CI-504, CI-526, CI-706 and CI-708. Covering a total area of about 5,720 sq kms with a water depth ranging between 1,000 and 3,500 m, these blocks add to the oil major's already-strong deepwater presence across the region, including in CI-101, CI-205, CI-401, CI-501, CI-801 and CI- 802. Of these, Baleine and Calao remain the company's biggest discoveries at a global scale.
The partners have been in talks since early this year, when the President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, and the CEO of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, met in Abidjan to discuss the company’s activities in the country, including the successful results of the exploration well Murene 1X on the Calao discovery.
Boosting production
Eni is increasingly focusing on boosting production from these sites, with the launch of Baleine Phase 2 set for this month, aiming to reach a total production count to 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 70 million cubic feet of associated gas (equivalent to 2 mn cu/m of associated gas). Once achieved, this will mark an increase to 150,000 bopd and 200 mn cu/ft of associated gas during Phase 3, currently under study.
Interests in Ivory Coast sees growth, as Viridien announced in May two new multi-client 3D reimaging programmes from the region, CDI24 Phase I (3,120 sq km) and Phase II (6,610 sq km).
The policy will ensure local collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The National Upstream Local Content Policy now stands official post approval by the government of Namibia
As Namibia continues to give international-scale discoveries since the last few years, this new policy will be put into place to navigate the high-risk investment zone it is turning into. The region's rapid upstream growth have also triggered its digital advancement with companies such as Baker Hughes and Halliburton entering the market.
Prioritising local content
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the policy will serve in alignment with the country's broader development frameworks, such as the National Development Plan, Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030, to realise the goal of an industrialised economy that is primarily led by local expertise and resources.
While ensuring regulatory flexibility for investors, the new policy also mandates operators to submit extensive 'Local Content Plans' in their proposal for exploration and production license acquisition. This implies clarifying the operators' collaboration plans with indigenous workforces and services.
The contract is expected to start in Q3 2025. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The phase out of cuts shift from 12 months to 18 months. (Image source: Rystad Energy)
The Seismic License provides Woodside ongoing rights to the PEL 87 3D seismic data. (Image source; Adobe Stock)
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.
PetroVision will facilitate operations within Nigeria using DUG Insight software. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
This expansion will add 2,248 sq km of 3D data. (Image source: TGS)
The new solution extends SLB's autonomous drilling capabilities. (Image source: SLB)
SLB has added AI-driven geosteering to its autonomous drilling solutions with the launch of Neuro autonomous geosteering, which dynamically responds to subsurface complexities to drill more efficient, higher-performing wells, while reducing the carbon footprint of the drilling operations
Using artificial intelligence (AI), Neuro geosteering integrates and interprets complex real-time subsurface information to autonomously guide the drill bit through the most productive layer or “sweet spot” of the reservoir. Instead of geologists needing to manually interpret this data to identify a well target, update the well plan and trajectory, and communicate this to the directional driller, Neuro geosteering performs all of these steps end to end — without any human intervention.
“Neuro autonomous geosteering is a remarkable industry-first achievement that is for drillers what the autonomous vehicle is for drivers,” said Jesus Lamas, president, Well Construction, SLB. “Using advanced cloud and edge AI capabilities, the system automatically selects the best route for drilling the well based on high-fidelity downhole measurements, bringing the well trajectory in line with the real-world conditions of the reservoir. By drilling more consistent and higher-producing wells, our customers can optimise their field development plan while reducing operational emissions from drilling over the lifetime of the asset.”
Intelli suite of diagnostic well intervention wireline logging services. (Image source: Halliburton)
The high-pressure radial shaft seal portfolio. (Image source: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions)
The tenders are targeted for the Moroccan side. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
As part of 2025 Action Plan by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), Morocco has launched tenders for Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline
Targeted for the pipelines on the Moroccan side, these tenders cover the initial phases of the project. Besides Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal are also included in the first phase.
A private company is set to be established with an objective to supervise project construction, operation and maintenance.
Far-reaching project
Morocco covers 1,672 kilometers of the 5,600 km-long pipeline that will also connect the Maghreb Europe Gas Pipeline and the European gas network.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited deployed the first compressor station for the far-reaching project which is set to motion across Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ghana. A second round of memoranda of understanding last year expanded the pipeline network to include Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Benin.
Africa aims to be competitive in a dynamic international gas market. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Chevron to supply 600 million scf/day to Angola LNG by year-end. (Image source: Chevron)
Diesel, petrol and kerosene were delivered. (Image source: NNPC)
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.
Claus Reimers, chief product and technology officer at Akselos. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The Cabinda Refinery aims to double capacity to 60,000 bpd. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
PETAN’s SAIPEC 2025 returns to Lagos, spotlighting Africa’s energy projects, local content, and regional collaborations across 50+ countries. (Image source: SAIPEC)
The Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), will be held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos from 11-13 February 2025
Celebrating its 9th edition, SAIPEC 2025 is strategically supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and over 30 national oil companies and regulatory bodies from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This prestigious event will spotlight multi-billion-dollar project opportunities in Africa and serve as a vital platform for advancing the continent’s energy, oil, and gas ambitions. Maintaining its focus on local content, the conference expects over 6,000 participants, including representatives from National and International Oil Companies, government agencies, regulators, and service providers from more than 50 countries.
Driving energy transformation
The three-day agenda promises impactful discussions, featuring keynote speeches from industry leaders, country showcases, and themes such as driving Africa’s energy future and economic growth plans. SAIPEC’s African Content Series, hosted by the NCDMB for the 5th year, will explore strategies for enhancing regional collaboration. Additional sessions will address critical topics like African gas strategies, financing opportunities, and Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion initiatives, emphasising the importance of inclusive progress in Africa’s energy sector.
Returning this year is the 'SAIPEC Future Generations Conference', designed to inspire young African energy professionals, along with the SAIPEC Technical sessions and the distinguished SAIPEC Awards, recognising innovations and accomplishments in the industry. Networking will be a key feature, offering attendees exclusive receptions, partnership-building events, and PETAN’s signature golf day.
The international exhibition, a core component of SAIPEC, will showcase cutting-edge technology, innovations, and services spanning the energy value chain. Global exhibitors will highlight advancements in drilling, exploration, digital solutions, and sustainability, providing attendees with opportunities to connect directly with leading suppliers, service providers, and technology developers shaping Africa’s energy future.
This year is particularly significant for host PETAN, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of excellence in Africa’s oil and gas sector. Ibe Chubby Ibe, PETAN/SAIPEC Conference Chair, remarked, “SAIPEC 2025 stands as a testament to our commitment to driving Africa’s energy transformation, creating sustainable growth, and fostering inclusive partnerships across the continent. This year’s program is our most ambitious yet, showcasing innovative strategies, regional collaborations, and groundbreaking advancements in Africa’s oil and gas sector. We are excited to bring together industry leaders, experts and future visionaries to shape a prosperous and energy-secure future for Sub-Saharan Africa.”
The comprehensive event programme is now available for download on the SAIPEC website, offering attendees an in-depth look at the schedule to prepare for this landmark 9th edition of Africa’s premier energy conference.
The panel emphasised South-South collaboration. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)
Young ADIPEC’s Experiential & Edutainment Hub drew students to STEM-focused zones. (Image source: ADIPEC)
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Umar Ajiya, chief financial officer, NNPC. (Image source: NNPC)
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Collaboration in petroleum, natural gas and infrastructure were explored. (Image source: Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources)
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Latest news
PETAN’s SAIPEC 2025 returns to Lagos, spotlighting Africa’s energy projects, local content, and regional collaborations across 50+ countries. (Image source: SAIPEC)
The new solution extends SLB's autonomous drilling capabilities. (Image source: SLB)
The policy will ensure local collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The contract is expected to start in Q3 2025. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The phase out of cuts shift from 12 months to 18 months. (Image source: Rystad Energy)
Intelli suite of diagnostic well intervention wireline logging services. (Image source: Halliburton)
The Deepsea Bollsta rig has been released post work completion. (Image source: Springfield E&P)
The agreement allows Eni an exploration period of nine years. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The high-pressure radial shaft seal portfolio. (Image source: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions)
The results indicated good porosities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The well was drilled to a total vertical depth of approximately 4,030 metres. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The company has drilled beyond the original projected total depth of 3,800 m. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The agreement signing. (Image source: Kent)
Diesel, petrol and kerosene were delivered. (Image source: NNPC)
The tenders are targeted for the Moroccan side. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The facilities employ company-trained local workers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Blocks 2913B and 2912 are located about 300 kms offshore Namibia. (Image source: QatarEnergy)
The Seismic License provides Woodside ongoing rights to the PEL 87 3D seismic data. (Image source; Adobe Stock)
PetroVision will facilitate operations within Nigeria using DUG Insight software. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Soudotec will initiate an inventory programme. (Image source: Svanehoj)
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The new solution extends SLB's autonomous drilling capabilities. (Image source: SLB)
Intelli suite of diagnostic well intervention wireline logging services. (Image source: Halliburton)
The high-pressure radial shaft seal portfolio. (Image source: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions)
The agreement signing. (Image source: Kent)
The facilities employ company-trained local workers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Soudotec will initiate an inventory programme. (Image source: Svanehoj)
The locations will employ locals and are expected to grow Namibia’s energy sector. (Image source: Halliburton)
Subsea Optical Time Domain Reflectometer. (Image source: C-Kore Systems)
ADIPEC 2024 unveiled AI Zone. (Image source: ADIPEC)
The work involved training a local Nigerian crew. (Image source: CRC Evans)
The M4 Inflow Control System will be showcased at ADIPEC 2024. (Image source: TAQA)
FROG offers predictive intelligence and customisable alerts. (Image source: Micron Eagle Hydraulics)