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."

Invictus' Cabora Bassa gets National Project Status.

The Cabora Bassa Project by Invictus Energy Ltd has received National Project Status by the Zimbabwe Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, and following a series of constructive meetings, the parties have finalised terms of the Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement (PPSA), which is now being prepared for execution

National Project Status is reserved for projects deemed of strategic importance to the country and considered critical to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development. NPS status provides a range of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including duty exemptions, fast-tracked permitting and streamlined access to key infrastructure and services as the project moves towards the development phase.

Invictus, managing director Scott Macmillan, said, “Agreement of the PPSA terms and the granting of National Project Status represent two pivotal milestones for Invictus and the Cabora Bassa Project.

“The PPSA provides the stable and transparent framework required to progress development, while NPS delivers tangible fiscal benefits to reduce costs and accelerate execution.

“This recognition underscores the strategic importance of our discovery and the potential it holds to transform Zimbabwe’s energy landscape.

“These outcomes highlight the Government of Zimbabwe’s strong commitment to unlocking the country’s energy potential. We are grateful for their support and look forward to executing the PPSA and moving towards development of the Cabora Bassa Project.”

Ncube commented, “The Government of Zimbabwe recognises the economic, energy security and social opportunity Cabora Bassa presents.

“We are pleased to be working closely with Invictus Energy through its recent strategic partnership with Al Mansour Holdings and to finalise the PPSA to ensure a transparent, fair and commercially sound
agreement that benefits the people of our nation.

“The Government is committed to fostering a competitive and attractive investment environment, and we are delighted to partner with Invictus Energy as this landmark project advances towards development.”

The company expects to reach total depth by November-end.

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd has provided a drilling update on the Kavango West 1X exploration well 

Brian Reinsborough, president and CEO, ReconAf, said, "Our operations team members in Namibia are doing an excellent job on drilling the Kavango West well, both efficiently and safely. Drilling remains on schedule, we expect to reach total depth by the end of November. We anticipate entering the Otavi reservoir, the primary target for the Damara Fold Belt Play, in October and plan to penetrate over 1,500 metres of potential reservoir section before reaching TD. We look forward to reporting results of this play opening well to all stakeholders around year-end."

Following spudding in July, the well is currently drilling the 8.5-inch section at a depth of approximately 1,910 metres. The next, and final, casing string will be set at approximately 2,400 metres before drilling penetrates the Otavi reservoir zone in October. The drill plan includes drilling approximately 1,500 metres of the Otavi reservoir before reaching total depth of around 3,800-4,250 metres by the end of November.