Block 3/24 is located adjacent to Afentra's existing interests in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A.

Africa-focussed oil and gas company, Afentra plc, has received the Presidential Decree approval for its Risk Service Contract (RSC) for offshore Block 3/24 

This follows the signing of Heads of Terms with Angola's National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG).

Block 3/24 is located adjacent to Afentra's existing interests in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A, containing five established discoveries in shallow water, offering short-cycle, low-cost development as well as near-field exploration potential.

Under the terms of the RSC, Afentra will be Operator with a 40% interest in the block, alongside Maurel & Prom Angola S.A.S. (40%) and Sonangol E&P (20%).

Block 3/24 spans across 545 sq km, lying adjacent to Afentra's existing producing oil fields and undeveloped discoveries in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A. The block adds a further five discoveries - Palanca North East, Quissama, Goulongo, Cefo and Kuma - all located in the same Pinda reservoir as the existing oil fields in Block 3/05 and 3/05A. In addition, the block contains the previously developed Canuku field cluster, which has produced up to 12,000 bopd. The block is estimated to include over 130 mmbbls of STOIIP and 400 bcf GIIP of already discovered resources.

These discoveries and previous development assets offer a significant opportunity to apply modern technology to deliver short-cycle, low-cost developments tied back to the existing infrastructure in Block 3/05. A number of exploration prospects have also been identified based on existing 3D seismic data.

CEO Paul McDade said, "We are pleased to confirm the formal approval of the Block 3/24 license. This milestone marks Afentra's first offshore operatorship and represents a significant step in our strategy to build a material production business in Angola. Our attention will now turn to technical analysis of the historic wells on the license as we commence a phased programme to re-access wells and fast-track first oil. We look forward to working with our joint venture partners to unlock the full potential of this highly prospective block."

This to believed to be the first internationally structured aviation financing for a Nigerian Air Operator. (Image source: VivaJets)

London-based TLG Capital (TLG) has closed a US$10mn facility for VivaJets, a subsidiary of Nigerian aviation services platform Falcon Aerospace limited 

The financing was structured alongside Wema Bank, and will retire a legacy local‑currency facility used for aircraft acquisition and fleet growth. Both TLG and VivaJets believe this to be the first internationally structured aviation financing for a Nigerian Air Operator, and funding will be applied to boost intra-African connectivity.

This injection of funds is coming at a time of rapid expansion for the business aviation firm with a growing fleet and international collaborations whilst positioning itself as a critical mobility and logistics partner to the oil and gas industry in Africa.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, CEO of Falcon Aero, Erika Achum disclosed that the fresh funding will be used to expand VivaJets’ fleet and strengthen its operational presence across Africa.

“We’re growing from three to four aircraft now, and by the third quarter of 2026, we expect to have significantly increased our fleet. This will allow us to serve more routes and clients across the continent,” Achum said.

According to the aviation tycoon, the company is reshaping how air logistics supports oil and gas operations, ensuring essential movement of people, equipment and products in a sector where time delays often translate into enormous financial losses.

Isha Doshi, partner, TLG Capital, said, “Africa’s growth story depends on connectivity. Falcon Aero is linking cities that global capital often overlooks, including tier-2 and tier-3 hubs where trade and opportunity are rising fastest. Aviation operators need long-duration capital at sensible rates. With our partners at Wema Bank and Falcon Aero, we are pleased to deliver a long-term financing solution that helps support highly skilled engineers, pilots, and workers in Nigeria's aviation sector."

Tejumade Salami, chief operating officer of Falcon Aero, said, "We spoke to many lenders; TLG solved it. Their structured-solutions mindset turned a complex funding puzzle into a single, bankable facility. In our industry, the ability to access long-tenor, USD-denominated capital is critical. With this facility, we have retired legacy obligations and can now focus fully on curating a seamless experience for our clients across the region. Our facility with TLG substantially reduces the amount of our revenue and cash flow that is spent on interest and debt service."

Drilling remains on the original expected schedule.

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd continues to deliver drilling operations ahead of schedule in the shallower section of the Kavango West 1X exploration well

This, however, caused a deferral of operations for several weeks at the current casing depth as the company waited on casing strings for the final section of the well to be delivered to location. Operations have resumed and drilling remains on the original expected schedule. Recon anticipates being at total depth (TD) in the second half of November. The Kavango West 1X well is expected to penetrate approximately 1,500 metres of potential reservoir before reaching TD at approximately 3,800 metres. Once at TD, an extensive logging programme will commence with results anticipated around year-end.

Brian Reinsborough, president and CEO, said, “Drilling of the Kavango West 1X well is proceeding on schedule and I wish to thank our entire operations team for doing a great job on executing our drilling plan. The final casing string has been set at a depth of approximately 2,300 metres, just above the targeted Otavi reservoir. Currently, the well is drilling ahead into the Otavi carbonate reservoir, which is the primary target in the Damara Fold Belt. We anticipate drilling an extensive section of the potential reservoir, which will be followed by a full evaluation of the Otavi section. The Kavango West 1X well is testing a very large structural closure in the Otavi section measuring almost 20 kilometres long by 3 kilometres wide.”

Communications from the company regarding the Kavango West 1X drilling details from this point until reaching TD will be under “tight hole” status, meaning that Recon will not provide indications of well results prior to final logging of the Otavi reservoir section. Strict adherence to tight hole status prior to the company obtaining logging results should not be interpreted as being either negative or positive. Any drilling updates provided between now and the completion of logging of the Otavi reservoir zone will only include an updated drilling depth.

The company is gathering information and working with applicable regulators. 

A pre-requisite to the grant of production right in Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa, Africa Energy Corp has obtained approval of its request for a deadline extension for the submission of a new Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to 4 May 2026

Operator of 11B/12B, Africa Energy Corp holds interest on the block through its investment in Main Street 1549 Pty Ltd. 

The extension to the ESIA has been granted in light of the recent decision by the Western Cape High Court in South Africa to set aside an environmental authorisation for offshore exploration operations in Block 5/6/7 (held by an unrelated party) so that additional, new and amended environmental assessments can be conducted and placed before the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources for reconsideration.

An application for leave to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal has been launched by the unrelated party. The company is therefore engaging with its advisors, including legal counsel, to determine the amendments and additions which may be required to its ESIA as a result of the High Court decision. Due to the High Court decision, which is pending appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, there is no certainty on the timing of the grant of the environmental authorisation after the submission of the amended ESIA. To navigate the challenges, the company is continuing to gather information and work with applicable regulators. 

Main Street currently holds a 10% participating interest in Block 11B/12B, offshore South Africa. Subject to all relevant regulatory approvals by South African authorities in respect to the withdrawal of the joint venture partners in Block 11B/12B and completion of the restructuring of Main Street, the company expects to hold a 75% direct interest in Block 11B/12B. Both the assignment of the withdrawing parties' interest in Block 11B/12B to Main Street and the completion of the Main Street restructuring require grant of the production right in relation to Block 11B/12B.