The MoU outlines the areas of common interest between partners. (Image source: SONATRACH)

With an aim to mutually explore oil and gas opportunities in Kenya, SONATRACH and National Oil Company of Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of the Intra African Trade Fair 2025

The MoU outlines the areas of common interest benefiting from SONATRACH’s expertise at the service of the Kenyan party in promoting its oil sector. It deals in particular with cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and production activities as well as the opportunity to supply Kenya notably with LPG and oil products, as well as the feasibility of developing a commercial LPG oil products, lubricants and petrochemicals.

Furthermore, the memorandum of understanding provides for examining the feasibility of developing LPG distribution mechanisms as a fuel for motor vehicles and households. Furthermore, this memorandum aims to strengthen the professional skills of employees of the National Petroleum Corporation of Kenya through training provided by SONATRACH.

This memorandum of understanding is concluded as part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Algerian and Kenyan governments aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in the oil, gas, and energy sectors. It represents a qualitative milestone in the bilateral energy cooperation process. It reflects SONATRACH‘s ambition to expand its activities at the continental scale and assert its role as a major player in the energy sector.

The MoU was signed during the visit of Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and others. (Image source: bp)

bp has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate opportunities for a five-well programme at water depth ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters in the Mediterranean Sea 

This will help plan the development of national gas reserves to optimise existing production facilities in the West Nile Delta. As the company aims to begin drilling operations in 2026, there are plans to explore the possibility of tie-back options after considering resource potential. 

The MoU was signed during the visit of Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Ashraf Swelam, Egypt’s Ambassador to the UK, and Samir Raslan, Undersecretary for Exploration and Agreements at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, to bp’s headquarters in London.

The delegation met with Murray Auchincloss, bp’s chief executive officer; William Lin, executive vice president for gas and low carbon energy; Nader Zaki, regional president, Middle East and North Africa; and Wail Shaheen, president of bp Egypt.

“Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to supporting investment in Egypt’s gas sector.  We appreciate the continued engagement and support from HE Minister Karim Badawi.  We look forward to applying bp’s technological expertise to build on our recent exploration and development momentum to bring on new gas resources and accelerated production for the country as well as deliver value for our business,” said Lin.

Zaki added,“We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Egyptian government. This memorandum represents a strategic step in our investments in Egypt’s energy sector during this decade, enabling us to develop additional gas resources in the West Nile Delta and bring them onstream as quickly as possible to meet the needs of the local market.”

The agreement comes as bp plans to increase production to 2.3-2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day in 2030 with the capacity to increase production out to 2035. It follows a successful exploration campaign in the first half of 2025 in which bp has made 10 discoveries including two in Egypt, where it completed drilling activity at the Fayoum-5 gas discovery well and El King-2 exploration well, both part of the West Nile Delta development.

The Banga Kayo, Holmoni and Cayo permits will see development.

As the Republic of Congo targets increasing production by 200,000 barrels per day by 2030, it has closed a US$23bn agreement on three permits with Chinese company, Wing Wah

Involving the integrated development of the Banga Kayo, Holmoni and Cayo permits, the agreement was officially signed by Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of Congo; Jean-Jacques Bouya, Minister of State of Congo, and Xiao Lianping, president general, Wing Wah in August.

This pact can ramp up cumulative production across the three permits to more than 1.3 billion barrels by 2050. 

There will be an integrated gas monetisation component as well, with multi-phase expansion of LNG, LPG, butane and propane production capacity–intended to satisfy both domestic demand and exports. The integrated nature of the development includes scalable gas treatment infrastructure, on-site power generation and water-management systems–all designed for efficiency and community benefit.

The initiative generates employment for around 3,300 Congolese workers.  

Afentra eyeing operatorship in Angola block.

Africa-focussed oil and gas company, Afentra plc, has signed heads of terms with Angola's National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) for the risk service contract (RSC) for offshore Block 3/24, located adjacent to its existing Block 3/05 & 5A interests in Angola

The development is currently awaiting approval from government.

The terms include an initial five-year period to review the development potential for existing discoveries and exploration prospectivity; 25-year production period that would subsequently be awarded when a discovery is developed, and Afentra as operator with a 40% interest in the block, alongside Maurel & Prom Angola S.A.S. (40%) and Sonangol E&P (20%).

Afentra's gross offshore acreage position has increased considerably to 810 sq km.

While Block 3/24 already consists of five shallow water discoveries, several exploration prospects were identified within the acreage on existing 3D seismic. Adjacent to Afentra's existing producing oil fields and undeveloped discoveries in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A, Block 3/24 spans an area of 545 sq km.

CEO Paul McDade said, "We are pleased to announce this Heads of Terms and excited to progress towards Operatorship of Block 3/24, which represents the next step in our strategy to build a material production business in Angola. We look forward to reviewing the most efficient development options for the numerous discoveries, utilising the extensive Block 3/05 infrastructure. This will provide upside potential to enhance the overall redevelopment plan for the Block 3/05 area where we expect to significantly increase production and reserves, delivering long-term value and cashflows. Furthermore, we see potential for future infrastructure led exploration given the prospectivity of the area.

We appreciate the trust invested in Afentra by the ANPG and our joint venture partners and we look forward to building on the successful collaborative working relationship with Block 3/05 Operator Sonangol to ensure we deliver the full potential of this multi-billion barrel area."