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As Uganda prepares for oil production early next year, the country has in place an integrated system that goes beyond the oil and gas value chain to also include the citizens of the country at large

The Ugandan administration has made oil and gas the centre of its operations, fostering partnerships on advancing public awareness regarding the sector. It is initiating ways to break down complex and ultra-technical concepts of the hydrocarbons industry for the better understanding of the general public. This also includes simplifying conversations around 'local content' or 'first oil' so that everyone can identify with the industry and be active drivers of it. 

As mega projects such as Tilenga and Kingfisher keep rolling, banks are especially focusing on the oil and gas industry, empowering local firms to pursue large contracts. They are initiating capacity-building partnerships, working capital solutions, asset finance and trade guarantees. 

Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has been the instrumental force behind such advancements. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, spoke to Oil Review Africa on Uganda's ambitions of becoming a significant energy producer in Africa's energy landscape:

How does Uganda plan to leverage the global oil market, given its current volatility? 

Uganda is mainly focusing on long-term contracts, regional market integration, and value addition through refining and petrochemicals. We are building resilience by maintaining fiscal discipline, encouraging local processing, and adopting clean, low-cost production to stay competitive even in volatile markets.

What are the primary driving factors behind Uganda's integrated oil and gas approach, and how is the country's administration managing such a vast concept? 

Integration maximises value across the petroleum value chain -- exploration, production, refining and export, while promoting industrialisation and job creation. Clear institutional roles of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Petroleum Authority of Uganda and Uganda National Oil Company, and coordinated project oversight will ensure efficiency, transparency, and timely delivery.

As Uganda rapidly adapts to a diverse energy mix, how is oil and gas faring in the equation?

Oil and gas remain central to Uganda’s energy security and industrial growth while supporting the transition to renewables. Gas is being developed for power generation, fertilisers and clean cooking, and revenues from petroleum will fund renewable expansion and grid investment.

Is a significant overhaul of existing policies anticipated with the launch of the revised National Oil and Gas Policy? 

There is no major overhaul, rather an update to reflect new realities. The revised policy strengthens gas utilisation, decarbonisation, local content and transparency, ensuring alignment with Uganda’s energy transition (preferably addition) plan and sustainable development goals.

What is Uganda willing to bring to the table in ADIPEC 2025, and what will be the country's take-aways from the event?

Uganda brings investment-ready projects in the upstream, East African Crude Oil Pipeline and refinery, and a stable policy environment. We seek partnerships, technology transfer, specifically Artificial Intelligence systems, financing and market linkages to accelerate development and advance our energy transition (addition) agenda. 

Ahead of the EG Ronda 2026 licensing round set to be held in Equatorial Guinea, geoscience data solutions provider, Searcher, has launched a major seismic reprocessing initiative covering 8,500 km of offshore data from the region

Promising highest-resolution imaging with fast-track results available immediately and final deliverables scheduled for release before the round opens in April 2026, bidders can expect convenience when it comes to de-risking efforts. 

As the government prepares to offer up to 24 blocks in the upcoming licensing round, these will be backed by Searcher's latest broadband pre-stack depth migration (PSDM) and full waveform inversion (FWI) techniques-driven reprocessed legacy datasets, ensuring high-definition view of the subsurface for confident decision-making.

“This project is about more than reprocessing data—it’s about delivering actionable insight,” said Alan Hopping, Managing Director of Searcher. “By combining cutting-edge imaging with fast-track delivery, we’re giving explorers a head start and helping Equatorial Guinea showcase the true potential of its offshore basins.”

The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons’ goal of revitalising the energy sector and stimulating new exploration activity. With results available ahead of the licensing round, Searcher’s work provides a powerful foundation for evaluating opportunities and unlocking the next phase of offshore discovery.

Nigerian oil and gas firm Marine Platforms (MPL) has signed a contract with Forum Energy Technologies (FET) to deploy new generation work class remotely operated vehicles offshore West Africa 

Set to be delivered by May 2026, the contract allows MPL to secure two of FET's subsea XLX EVO III models to oversee intra-operational functions. The product line promises cutting-edge ultra-heavy-duty subsea vehicle technology, designed to undertake a broad spectrum of underwater tasks. The 4000m ROVs will be equipped with larger thrusters for increased through water performance and an improved buoyancy package, facilitating a 350kg payload. 

FET will also be introducing a bolted frame -- which is now CNC-machined -- to provide an improved layout for maintenance access as well as tooling capability. Their through-frame-lift will increase to 4000kg, a rise of over 30% from the EVO II.

The XLX EVO III comes with updated pilot chairs and console as well as FET’s next-gen control software, ICE Unity, enabling remote operations and 24-hour support.

Kevin Taylor, FET’s vice president operations - subsea, said, “We are thrilled to be bringing our next generation work class ROV out of the testing pool and into action off the west African coast.

“Marine Platforms is a reliable and longstanding customer, and it’s a pleasure to continue to support the team’s operations. Africa is generally a difficult region to break into, but demonstrating FET’s latest technology in the field will bolster our presence.”

Driven by its African identity, Nigerian independent Heirs Energies operates with an in-house development approach, partnering largely with indigenous contractors

Following its inspiring success story with OML 17, the company is ready to take on further challenging projects, now eyeing the Republic of Congo. 

Heirs Energies CEO, Osa Ighiehon, reveals to Oil Review Africa what it takes to thrive as an African independent in today's energy industry and much more: 

What according to you does Nigeria’s oil and gas industry need right now to attain its full potential? 

Nigeria is at a critical moment. We possess the resources and the human capital to be a global energy leader, yet we are constrained by a few critical but addressable challenges. To unlock our full potential, we must act decisively on three fronts.

First, we must establish unwavering policy certainty. The lifeblood of our industry is investment, and capital flows to jurisdictions that offer predictability and stability. We need a clear, consistent, and transparent regulatory framework, one where fiscal term are stable and approvals are streamlined. Without this foundational trust, we risk ceding competitive advantage and watching investment capital migrate to more predictable markets. There has been a lot of progress on this front in the past few years with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and Presidential Directives.

Secondly, we must secure our infrastructure and consolidate the gains we've made. The scourge of oil theft has been a direct drain on our national treasury. However, the solution that has been deployed needs to be sustained and the threat/vulnerabilities permanently mitigated. As demonstrated with OML 17, where we moved from a 3% terminal delivery to over 99%, it is possible to secure assets through a collaborative model that integrates community engagement, corporate strategy, and crucially, the strengthened security framework provided by the government. This proven model must now be scaled nationally to protect our vital revenue streams and restore investor confidence.

Lastly, and most critically, we must execute a strategic pivot to gas. While oil built our economy, gas is the undeniable key to our future. Sitting on the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, it is an economic paradox that we remain dependent on imported fuels. Gas is the catalyst that will power our industries, generate stable electricity, and drive sustainable economic diversification. At Heirs Energies, we have moved from rhetoric to action, increasing our gas production from 70 mn standard cu/ft to 125 mn standard cu/ft. This is not merely a business decision; it is a national imperative. By prioritising gas, we can finally unlock a new era of industrialisation and long-term prosperity for Nigeria.

While digitalisation is largely being considered the key to production optimisation, do you believe it’s the sole requisite to success? 

Digital tools are important, but they are not a magic fix. Technology helps us work smarter, but it can't replace the need for strong leadership and skilled people.

We use technology at Heirs Energies for monitoring and efficiency. But our biggest breakthroughs have come from our teams. For example, our engineers developed a low-cost way to bring old gas wells back to life. That idea didn't come from a software programme; it came from deep understanding, out-of-the-box thinking and a solution mindset.

While digitalisation gives us better data, our success finally depends on our people - their expertise, ingenuity and commitment to safety. Its this human element that truly makes the most difference.

What is Heirs Energies’ future strategy with OML 17 and other oil and gas assets? 

Our strategy is to build on the proof point that OML 17 represents. When we acquired it, many doubted whether a Nigerian independent could revive such a complex, underperforming asset. Today, we have doubled production, restored security, and brought new energy to the domestic gas market. That success gives us the confidence to look ahead with intent.

At OML 17, we are determined to keep pushing performance higher - optimising oil output, scaling gas production further, and embedding the community partnerships that have become a hallmark of our approach. But the bigger picture goes beyond one asset, we see opportunities across Nigeria and Africa to apply our Brownfield Excellence model - identifying underperforming fields, deploying innovation and discipline, and turning them into engines of growth.

What matters to us is creating long-term value for our investors, for the communities where we operate, and for the economies that depend on reliable energy. That means expanding carefully, investing responsibly, and ensuring that every molecule we produce helps to power Africa’s development. OML 17 was the beginning - but our ambition is to shape the model of how African companies can deliver world-class results and shared prosperity, consistently and at scale. 

This is the second of a two-part interview 

Mozambique’s state-owned oil company, Petromoc, has entered a strategic deal with a Nigerian energy firm called Aiteo to develop an oil refinery with a capacity to reach 240,000 barrels-per-day 

The agreement is a two-way blessing as it not only attracts foreign investments for Mozambique in strategic sectors, but also pushes Aiteo to a further influential position as a local company beyond its Nigerian base.

Signed during a formal ceremony chaired by the Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, the agreement will advance energy independence for the country. It will boost fuel supply security, facilitating the construction of one of the largest refineries in southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). 

The engineering procurement and construction activities for the refinery will be covered by an American firm called Deerfield Energy Services LLC. The refinery will be developed in a phased manner with an initial aim to install an 80,000 bpd processing unit within a two-year time frame, and gradually scaled up to the maximum capacity.

While the project promises several benefits, the financial, environmental compliance and execution timelines-based risks involved needs consideration. When ready for operation, the plant will be able to produce petrol, diesel, jet fuel and naptha for domestic as well as regional use. 

Calling the project a 'milestone' for its employment generation possibilities, Ransome Owan, Aiteo's group managing director for infrastructure, said, “It will reduce import reliance, create jobs, and lay the foundation for Mozambique to become a leading hub in the region’s downstream energy sector.”

Mozambique is committed to an extensive industrial strategy to advance energy access, economic diversification, and infrastructure development. The refinery falls in line with this strategy as it will ensure greater access to cleaner fuels and advance clean cooking initiatives with the easy availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution.

ADIPEC 2025 will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 3-6 November 2025, with an expanded conference and exhibition programme aimed at addressing the challenges facing the global energy sector

The event will focus on two critical imperatives: building resilience in the energy system and scaling transformative solutions to accelerate global progress.

The theme for ADIPEC 2025, "Energy. Intelligence. Impact.", underscores the need for secure energy to drive inclusive growth, the intelligence to navigate the complexities of today's energy landscape, and the impact that translates vision into tangible progress for markets, people, and the planet. Over the course of four days, the event will explore four key themes, from new energy technologies and geopolitics to digital transformation and building a resilient, future-ready energy system.

This year, the ADIPEC conferences have been streamlined into two comprehensive programmes: the Strategic Conference and the Technical Conference. The event will feature over 380 sessions, with more than 1,800 speakers, including ministers, CEOs, academics, industry experts, and youth leaders. The aim is to turn dialogue into action by showcasing solutions and catalysing collaborations that drive real, measurable impact across the energy sector. The platform will promote intelligent choices, focusing on leveraging all viable energy sources and technologies to build sustainable systems that can deliver energy to more people, at lower cost, and with reduced carbon emissions.

The ADIPEC 2025 Exhibition will span 17 halls and host more than 2,250 exhibitors from across the global energy ecosystem, including 54 National Oil Companies (NOCs), International Oil Companies (IOCs), National Energy Companies (NECs), and International Energy Companies (IECs). It will also feature 30 dedicated country pavilions and four specialised industry zones focused on decarbonisation, digitalisation, maritime and logistics, and artificial intelligence.

ADIPEC 2025 is expected to attract more than 205,000 attendees from around the world, creating unique opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and progress within the energy sector.