In The Spotlight
Chevron has reported to have not found commercial hydrocarbons from the Kapana 1-X exploration well located on Block 2813B under Petroleum Exploration License 90 (PEL 90)
This comes after Shell's write down on PEL39.
Operated by Chevron-subsidiary Harmattan Energy Limited, PEL 90 also includes Custos Energy-subsidiary Trago Energy with a 10% interest.
Valuable geologic insights
Chevron, however, has acknowledged the data acquired from exploration operations as hopeful in terms of future programme on PEL 90. “The geologic insights and improved confidence in the future programme on PEL 90 from these operations provides strong support for continued progress and value in our portfolio in Namibia’s Orange Basin,” said Knowledge Katti, chairman and CEO of Custos.
“We look forward to the many opportunities ahead to further unveil the quality of our unmatched position in the heart of the Orange Basin including the future activity on PEL 90 and the ongoing activity on PEL 83”. added Robert Bose, CEO of Sintana Energy, which enjoys a 49% indirect interest in Custos Energy.
The Mopane 1X well testing operations on PEL83 showed significant oil columns containing light oil in high-quality reservoir sands at two different levels: AVO-1 and AVO-2.
Trident Energy has completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited, as well as an additional working interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields from TotalEnergies, resulting in an 85% working interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields, and a 15.75% working interest in the Lianzi field
The company will become the operator of these fields. In addition, Trident Energy has acquired a 21.5% working interest in the Moho–Bilondo field, operated by TotalEnergies. The acquisition, which was announced in April 2024, is expected to add c.30,000 bopd. It is a significant deal for Trident Energy which has proven expertise in extending field life and unlocking production from mid-life assets as demonstrated by their takeovers in Brazil and Equatorial Guinea.
Jean-Michel Jacoulot, Chief Executive of Trident Energy ML said, “We are extremely pleased to have completed the acquisition which marks a new chapter in our history. We are excited to enter the Republic of Congo, take over the operations and deliver the full potential of these assets. We look forward to working with TotalEnergies Congo, the SNPC and the Congolese Government to generate further value to the assets. We would like to take the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, and the Government for their support on this transaction”.
The Mukuyu Discovery onshore Zimbabwe will see further action as Invictus Energy Limited's 80%-owned subsidiary, Geo Associates, has received a license extension for an additional three years
The SG 4571 Licence that contains the Cabora Bassa Basin was approved by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development for extension till 19 December 2027. During the third year of this period, the company has plans to undertake a comprehensive work programme that includes 3D seismic acquisition and additional exploration/appraisal drilling and testing. This follows the last extension period granted till June 2027.
The company can apply for a production special grant licence at any stage.
Mukuyu has revealed high quality natural gas presence folowing compositional analysis of downhole fluid.
Jersey-based oil and gas company, Predator Oil & Gas Holdings Plc, is well on its way to begin drilling onshore Morocco around 25 February as civil engineering work to improve access roads and prepare the MOU-5 well pad has commenced on its Guercif licence at the MOU-5 drill site
This is part of the company's ambitous Guercif Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project.
The CEO of Predator, Paul Griffiths, is hopeful that the Titanosaurus structure may be 'potentially transformational to the Company's already diversified asset base in a success case'. The potentially high-impact structure that it will be drilling lies right next to an existing gas infrastructure. Fiscally speaking, the company considers this a 'rare opportunity' given the dwindling gas storage reserves in Europe this winter and geopolitical concerns over security of gas supply.
Golden age for gas exploration
"Our hydrocarbon sector has seen a global resurgence of interest and activity outside of the UK and Europe over the past few months led by the United States, Norway, Middle East, Africa and Far East.
"We are potentially entering a 'golden age' for gas exploration and production to support: the energy transition by lowering CO2 emissions through replacing coal and oil; and to ameliorate energy price rises by increasing supply and security of access to gas at "crunch" times, when renewable energy cannot cope due to unattractive weather conditions.
"It is not often that macro geopolitical and economic factors align with a gas development strategy. We are currently in that cycle and ready to attempt to take advantage of it," said Griffiths.
Predator takes gas production seriously as it considers development finance required for 'First Gas' from Morocco, besides aiming to supply CNG to the Moroccan industry.
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.
GlobalData has released its strategic intelligence report, titled, 'Virtual Reality in Oil and Gas' that looks into areas of application of virtual reality in the industry, from rigs and pipelines to refineries
Oil and gas companies are now investing on training modules for the workforce and visualising the asset under consideration for planning and decision making.
Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said, "VR enhances the operational safety through immersive training programmes. It can help develop safety procedures at production facilities to address smaller accidents as well as for emergency response."
Companies such as Shell, bp, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, are using VR as a cost-effective option to train as well as aid regular workflows in operations. These sessions usually comprises virtual walk-throughs, away from heavy industrial equipment.
Puranik said, “Industry technicians work in hazardous environments, such as offshore rigs or at a densely packed equipment maze in a refinery. VR can be used to relay important information and instructions to the technician onsite, without the need to fly out experts to that location or carrying detailed instruction manuals for referencing.”
VR plays a key role in the digital twin set up, helping companies recreate scenarios through detailed simulations. During planning and development, the collaborating teams can share information using VR to simulate various scenarios. It is useful in optimizing equipment performance and maximizing the asset life. Digital twins help to design workflows and identify bottlenecks to optimize a plant’s performance. Twins also help to create a 3D visualization of the seismic data using VR simulations.
Puranik concludes: “Various aspects of a production platform can be modeled through VR simulations to enhance the understanding of personnel for on-field tasks. They can simulate the processes using VR before implementing on the operational floor. It thus reduces the scope for human errors during critical operations. Besides, designers and engineers can better visualize the layout under development using VR technology. This can potentially help to improve designs, and carefully plan its execution to optimize the project costs.”
Mauritania and Senegal see first gas as the bp-operated FLNG Gimi by Golar LNG Limited received feed gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim offshore project
The FLNG is under a 20-year Lease and Operate Agreement between bp and Gloar LNG on the GTA field.
Fully commissioned
The development ramps up the full commissioning of the FLNG. Prior to achieving this key milestone, gas from the LNG carrier British Sponsor was being used to undertake advanced commissioning work. The first LNG export cargo is expected within Q1 2025, and full Commercial Operations Date is expected within Q2 2025, subject to all conditions being met.
A significant part of the gas produced will be directed to help meet growing energy demand in the two host countries.
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.
Oil majors highlighted Libya’s immense hydrocarbons potential during Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025
“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Speaking of the company's plans for the year in Libya, which includes several exploration activities, notably kickstarting work on the Waha and Sharara fields, Pouget said, "“We expect results next week.” TotalEnergies has also reported promising opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.
Set to launch three exploration plays in the region – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore, Eni upstream director Luca Vignati expressed the company's high anticipation of Libya. "No other country offers such opportunities,” he said. Oil exploration besides, Eni is highly invested in Libyan gas with the US$10bn Greenstream pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.
Lauding Libya's efforts in fighting natural field decline and encouraging exploration, Repsol's executive managing director, exploration & production, Francisco Gea showed faith in achieving the country's production targets. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology,” he said. Repsol has just resumed drilling in Murzuq Basin onshore Libya.
Maximising production
Travis Purvis, senior vice president of global drilling operations at Nabors, stressed on the adaptation of innovation and cutting edge solutions to maximise production and accelerate exploration, while reducing costs and enhancing safety. With ambitions to double oil production, Libya is also prioritising licensing rounds, inviting both domestic companies and international tenders.
Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalisation.”
“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximising production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.