Exploration

ReconAf sees hydrocarbon pay at Otavi reservoir

The company will be testing the well to establish flow rates.

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.

Eni advances Egypt's aim to become Mediterranean energy hub

Eni is supporting Egypt's energy ambitions.

Egypt's President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, advanced the country's strategic ambitions to become a Mediterranean energy hub as he met with Eni CEO, Claudio Descalzi

The company is supporting the region's ambitions by developing the Cronos gas field offshore Cyprus.

Discussions during the meeting, which also included Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, ranged from reviewing Eni's investments in the country and future plans. The company has initiated an offshore Mediterranean exploration drilling campaign in October to boost new gas production. Its approach is backed by short-cycle, infrastructure-led strategies on extending the life of legacy assets in Sinai and the offshore Nile Delta.

Descalzi also updated President El-Sisi on Eni’s ongoing and future commitment to invest in social and health projects, focus will be on health projects to support the Country’s efforts in building capabilities, manage complex infrastructures to deliver a quality service to the population.

Eni operates in Egypt through its subsidiary IEOC and is currently the leading producer in the Country, with a hydrocarbon production of approximately 280,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Eni's share in 2024.

Eni acquires additional stakes in OML 118 offshore Nigeria

Eni has exercised its pre-emption right.

Eni-subsidiary Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited has acquired an additional 2.5% stake in the OML 118 production sharing contract that contains the Bonga field

The oil major has exercised its pre-emption right to make this acquisition. NAE holds non-operating interests in the OML118.

Following the transaction, which has received all necessary regulatory approvals, NAE's share in OML 118 PSC increased from 12.5% to 15%. This acquisition is fully aligned with Eni’s strategy to optimise its upstream portfolio and further strengthens the company’s commitment to deepwater projects in the country.

The divestment is now completed as the transaction has been made for an aggregated amount of US$510mn.

Eni has been present in Nigeria since 1962, with an average equity production of 50 Kboed in 2025.

NNPC to accelerate investments following record growth

The company is outlining a US$60bn investment pipeline.

Reflecting a year of strong operational delivery, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited has reported a profit after tax of US$3.6bn

This growth will be leveraged by the company to outline a US$60bn investment pipeline with oil and gas developments a priority.

As the results recorded a 64% year-on-year growth, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group chief executive officer, said, "The earnings highlight the positive momentum of our ongoing transformation and the unwavering commitment of our workforce.”

“They offer a solid foundation for the ambitious growth ahead, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate, and reaffirm our commitment to delivering value to Nigerians,” he added.

Alongside investments across upstream operations and gas infrastructure, the company has plans for clean energy development as well. Its key strategies include boosting crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030. In the natural gas front, the company aims increased generation at 10 bn cu/ft per day by 2027 and 12 bn cu/ft per day by 2030, while turning around major gas infrastructure projects such as Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK), Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) and Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipelines to strengthen domestic supply and regional integration. The company is mobilising US$60bn in investments across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors by 2030.

“Our transformation is anchored on transparency, innovation, and disciplined growth,” Ojulari added. “We are positioning NNPC Limited as a globally competitive energy company capable of delivering sustainable returns while powering the future of Nigeria and Africa.”

TotalEnergies makes new acquisition for Egina South development

TotalEnergies becomes the operator of OPL257. (Image source: TotalEnergies)

In major transactions offshore Nigeria, Nigerian independent, Conoil Producing Limited, has entered block OML136 following the acquisition of a 40% participating interest from TotalEnergies, while selling a 50% operated interest in block OPL257 to TotalEnergies, retaining 10%

As TotalEnergies becomes the operator of OPL257 with a 90% interest, the company is looking at an area of around 370 sq kms that makes up the block, situated 150 kms offshore the coast of Nigeria. This is adjacent and extends to PPL 261, where the Egina South field was discovered. The OPL257 side includes an appraisal well of Egina South which is set to be drilled next year, before it is developed as a tie-back to the Egina FPSO, located approximately 30 km away.

"This transaction, built on our longstanding partnership with Conoil, will enable TotalEnergies to proceed with the appraisal of the Egina South discovery, an attractive tie-back opportunity for Egina FPSO. This fits perfectly with our strategy to leverage existing production facilities to profitably develop additional resources and to focus on our operated gas and offshore oil assets in Nigeria," said Mike Sangster, senior vice-president Africa, Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies.

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