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Reconnaissance Energy Africa has completed drilling operations at the Kavango West 1X well located on Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 onshore Namibia 

Brian Reinsborough, president and CEO, said, “ReconAfrica is excited to announce that the Kavango West 1X well has encountered hydrocarbon pay in the Otavi reservoir section. The results from this well have allowed the Company to proceed to a success case evaluation, which includes conducting a production test of prospective intervals to determine deliverability characteristics from the well. We are excited about what the results mean for the future of the Damara Fold Belt play on ReconAfrica’s lease position onshore Namibia which covers over six million prospective acres. I am also very proud of the ReconAfrica team who drilled this well safely, on schedule and on budget with strong local stakeholder engagement.”

The well reached a total depth (TD) of 4,200 m (13,800 ft) and conducted an extensive wireline logging programme. The well has been temporally abandoned and will be re-entered once testing equipment arrives in the first quarter of 2026.

Extensive wireline logging indicates ~85 m (~280 ft) of net reservoir with 64 m (210 ft) of net hydrocarbon pay across a gross interval of ~400 m (~1,300 ft) containing multiple limestone reservoir units. Mud and gas samples have been collected throughout the well and will be sent to the Unites States for analysis. No core samples were taken in this well.

Next, the company will be testing the well to establish flow rates from intervals of interest. This will help study the positive indications of hydrocarbon-saturated reservoirs based on wireline logs and oil and gas shows in addition to interpreted natural fractures in the limestone reservoir units, which should enhance deliverability of hydrocarbons.

A production test will be conducted to determine the deliverability characteristics of the intervals of interest within the Otavi carbonate section. The production test will be run in 5-inch production casing with Tubing-Conveyed Perforations (TCP) to selectively perforate intervals based on where hydrocarbon pay has been identified on wireline logs and where significant oil and gas shows were encountered. Intervals of interest will be the 64 metres of hydrocarbon pay identified on wireline logs and an additional 61 metres of oil and gas shows identified in the deeper sections where interpreted natural fractures in the limestone reservoir units should enhance deliverability of hydrocarbons. Planning and logistics have begun for this test, which is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2026 and should run for approximately one month in duration.

Energy intelligence firm, TGS, has extended its agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MOPMR) to the continued rights to market and license geophysical data covering Somalia’s offshore basins

The agreement will support TGS' vision to aid the progress of underexplored regions with its comprehensive regional data library for the evaluation of significant exploration potential. The company assures operators of the reliability of its datasets in assessing investment opportunities across numerous available offshore blocks.

In Somalia, TGS is exclusively offering valuable insights into more than 46,000-line kms of modern 2D seismic data and beyond 50,000 kms of aeromagnetic data. The data reflecting the region's geological framework and prospectivity is backed by the company's cutting-edge acquisition technology and advanced imaging solutions.

“This extension further underscores our long-term commitment to the Federal Republic of Somalia and its offshore licensing programme,” said David Hajovsky, executive vice president multi-client at TGS. “With access to our exclusive, modern seismic and aeromagnetic library we are ready to support the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources as they open up one of the world’s last frontier hydrocarbon provinces.”

The three-well drilling campaign by Rex International Holding Limited in the Seme Field, Benin, goes on as the floating storage & offloading (FSO) unit has arrived and is at the anchorage

The mooring system is currently being installed and will be hooked up with a flowline to the mobile offshore production unit (MOPU). Before the MOPU arrives this month, the team is working on remedial actions to address certain technical issues that the campaign had been facing. While this may lead to some delays, production start-up is being targeted by December end.

Akrake Petroleum Benin SA holds a 76% interest in the Seme Field in Block 1, Benin, and is the operator. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lime Petroleum Holding AS, an 89.74 per cent subsidiary of Rex. 

The campaign involves a 100-day three-well work-programme to redevelop the Seme Field. This will see the drilling of  two horizontal production wells in the H6 formation (previously developed), as well as a deeper vertical appraisal well to gather data from the H7 and H8 reservoirs, to facilitate the potential advancement to Phase 2 of the development.

The production start-up and optimisation in the Seme Field will be backed by additional data on the subsurface alongside the existing 3D seismic that has been reprocessed by the team. 

Mana Energy has commenced the initial commissioning activities for the TE-5 Horst development project in the Tendrara Production Concession as first gas entered the gas gathering system (GGS) in preparation for long term gas production into the micro-LNG plant

This follows the successful installation of the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) computer that was an integral equipment to ensure safe flow from the TE-6 production well for GGS to commence.  

The micro-LNG Plant has been designed, is being constructed and will be operated and maintained by Italfluid Geoenergy with guarantees for plant operability and delivery of LNG to the off-taker, Afriquia Gaz, a primary energy distributor in Morocco. A binding gas sales agreement and associated funding are in place with Afriquia Gaz, with a 10-year commitment from first gas to purchase a contractual quantity of one hundred million normal cubic metres per annum.

The development will use existing wells TE-6 and TE-7, and one new well to deliver the required raw gas volumes into the plant for the Phase 1 development and maintain a ten-year production plateau under the gas sales agreement. Construction of the micro-LNG plant continues at site, with revenue generating LNG sales forecast by the contractor, ITF, to commence late Q1 or Q2 2026.

Majid Shafiq, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased that we have reached another milestone to bring gas to Moroccan industrial consumers and congratulate the operator, Mana Energy Ltd. I look forward to full commissioning of the micro-LNG facility and delivery of sales gas in the coming months. We are entering an exciting period at Sound Energy as we become a revenue generating company, whilst progressing to the FID for the second phase of development of the entire field, to supply Moroccan power markets."

China Zambia Petrochemical Corporation will push ahead with its US$1.1bn crude oil refinery project in Ndola as it has received the Investment License from the Zambia Development Agency

A Special Purpose Vehicle jointly established by the Industrial Development Corporation and Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation, China Zambia Petrochemical Corporation will advance the refinery project as a significant driver of employment generation and economic stability in the region, making a positive difference for the rapidly evolving Ndola Industrial Zone. During the construction phase alone, the refinery will create more than 2,200 jobs. Once operational, it will sustain more than 600 direct and over 2,000 indirect jobs, with comprehensive skills-transfer and certified training programmes designed to build a highly capable local workforce with expertise in advanced petrochemical operations. This will solidify Zambia's energy security and stabilise fuel supply as the country will not have to rely as hevily on the import of refined petroleum products.

Set to begin operations starting next year, the refinery is expected to process 3 mn tonnes of crude oil annually. This staggering quantity will not only surpass Zambia's national fuel demand but also easily cover regional export markets. 

An integrated energy complex, the refinery will gear Zambia's downstream growth, ranging from LPG bottling and bitumen production to lubricants blending. Additional spill over investments are anticipated in storage infrastructure, rail upgrades, and feedstock supply for manufacturing plastics, fertilisers, synthetic materials, and asphalt. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are expected to benefit significantly through opportunities in logistics, maintenance, catering, and specialised support services.

"Today's handover of the Investment License marks a decisive shift from commitment to execution. This project is a cornerstone of our industrialisation strategy and a timely response to the country's need for affordable, reliable, and locally produced energy. Through CZPC, we are driving a transformative venture that will create jobs, enhance national self-sufficiency, and support long-term economic growth," said IDC CEO Mr Cornwell Muleya.

"FJXX is honoured to advance this project into its implementation phase in partnership with the Government of Zambia through IDC. With more than two decades of Industrial experience, we are committed to deploying advanced engineering technologies that will deliver a world-class refinery for the benefit of the Zambian people and the broader region," said Mr Huang Tieming, Chairperson of Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation (FJXX).

Oil Review Africa catches up with Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, ahead of ADIPEC 2025

Excerpts from an interview: 

Energy across Africa, as elsewhere in the world, is seeing major shifts and advancements. How does ADIPEC 2025 reflect this changing industry landscape and help meet the needs? 

Energy is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy demand rose by 2.2% last year, outpacing the average annual increase of 1.3% recorded over the last decade. At the same time, the global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, with over 750 million people still lacking access to electricity, and more than 2.1 billion people remain without access to clean cooking. Rising urbanisation and living standards are reshaping energy demand, with air conditioning alone expected to be one of the largest contributors to electricity demand growth in the coming decades. This reveals the sector’s increasing need to not only produce more energy but to produce it in a way that is equitable and sustainable.

In this context, ADIPEC 2025 is being held under the theme of ‘Energy. Intelligence. Impact’. It reflects a simple but powerful truth: meeting the world’s growing need for secure, affordable and sustainable energy will depend on how intelligently we harness every resource – human, technological and natural – to deliver meaningful results for economies and communities alike.

At its core, the theme recognises that intelligence – both human and artificial – is transforming the way energy is produced, managed, and consumed. From AI-driven optimisation and digital integration to advances in hydrogen, LNG, and decarbonisation, intelligent innovation is reshaping the global energy landscape. ADIPEC serves as the meeting point for these forces, where ideas translate into action and impact can be measured in investment, policy, and progress.

AI is a major topic of discussion in the context of energy, due to its high demand. How is ADIPEC responding to the challenges and opportunities of the AI-energy nexus? 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping both global energy demand and the industry’s ability to respond. Data centres already consume around 1.5% of global electricity, and with AI workloads, that demand could more than double by 2030, rising from 415 TWh to 945 TWh. A single advanced AI model can require as much electricity to train as 100 households use in a year, while an AI query may consume 10 times more energy than a standard search.

This convergence is both a challenge and an opportunity. AI requires enormous energy, but it can also optimise grids, cut waste, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate decarbonisation. At ADIPEC 2025, we have expanded our AI Zone into five experiential areas showcasing how AI is transforming systems, people, and infrastructure. Alongside this, more than 80 conference sessions are dedicated to the AI–energy nexus, from predictive analytics to governance frameworks.

For Africa, this is particularly significant. Many countries are rapidly digitalising while also expanding power systems. The ability of AI to enhance reliability and reduce costs could be transformative for energy access and economic growth.

How is the diversity of the African continent and its vast energy sector reflected across ADIPEC 2025’s programme? 

Africa is a core part of ADIPEC’s community. This year, we are proud to welcome a strong delegation of African ministers and leaders, including those from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, and Egypt. Their participation enriches ADIPEC’s Strategic Conference and exhibitions, ensuring Africa’s perspectives are reflected in discussions on natural gas, hydrogen, downstream, and low-carbon solutions.

dmg events is also the largest organiser of energy and infrastructure events across Africa, with long-standing operations in Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco. This presence gives us a unique vantage point to bridge African priorities with global dialogue.

Africa holds some of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas, oil, and minerals, as well as enormous potential in renewables. ADIPEC is committed to supporting this potential by convening African voices alongside global leaders, unlocking partnerships that can expand access, accelerate industrialisation, and strengthen Africa’s contribution to global energy progress.

Some of ADIPEC 2025’s notable African speakers include: Honourable J. Opiyo Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Kenya; Honourable Sen. Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister for State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Nigeria; Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister for State (Gas) Petroleum Resources, Nigeria; Honourable Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria; Honourable Julius D. Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Republic of Sierra Leone; Honourable Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda; His Excellency Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt; His Excellency Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Equatorial Guinea, Honorable Julius D. Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Republic of Sierra Leonne; Honourable July Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Zimbabwe; His Excellency Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Gambia; Honourable Cheikh Niane, Deputy Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Senegal, and Mathias Katamba, board chairman, Uganda National Oil Company.