140,000 bopd accounts for approximately a half of Congo's oil production. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

TotalEnergies will be investing US$600mn for exploration and production upkeep of Moho Nord field in the Congolese deepwaters

At roughly 140,000 barrels of oil per day, the Moho Nord field accounts for approximately half of oil production from Congo.

With four reservoirs spanning across 320 sq km in water depths of 750m to 1,200m, TotalEnergies is working towards ensuring an additional production of 40,000 bpd, taking the country's yeild count to 267,000 bpd.

Following an acquisition agreement with Trident Energy, TotalEnergies will enjoy majority operational stake in the Moho permit with 63.5%. Trident set up shop in Congo this April following its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited.

Besides work in Moho Nord, this year TotalEnergies is expecting production from offshore Marine XX permit. 

Two drilling rigs have already arrived to start production from almost 2,000m water depths in an area of 3,285.8 sq km.

Gas Master Plan

The Republic of Congo's national policy game is going strong with its proposed Gas Master Plan and a strategic partnership with Algeria. The partnership will enable the respective national oil companies, Sonatrach and SNPC to share downstream expertise. They have also plans to develop an African Energy Bank to invest in oil and gas projects across the continent.

The concept of Gas Master Plan was introduced by Congo’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and passed with heightened enthusiasm during the Invest in African Energy 2024 summit in Paris. To facilitate a more streamlined approach in leveraging the country's gas assets, Eni sold its participation interests in several upstream permits in Congo to Perenco, early this year. 

A collaboration between SNPC and Wood Mackenzie, the Gas Master Plan is currently in its final stages. Once operational, it will not only incentivise the development of the national gas sector by encouraging commercialisation of stranded assets and flared natural gas, but also serve as roadmap to harness gas resources for domestic consumption and export. It will establish a new gas code, making current fiscal terms more flexible, especially for small-scale projects.

SNPC CEO Raoul Ominga has been working closely with the Ministry to get final approval on the Gas Master Plan, which is expected this month. 

Launching of the Kaminho project. (Image source: TotalEnergies)

The final investment decision (FID) for the potentially 70,000bopd-Kaminho deepwater project offshore Angola has been closed by Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies; João Lourenço, President of Angola; Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil & Gas (MIREMPET); Paulino Jerónimo, chairman and CEO of ANPG, and Gaspar Martins, chairman and CEO of Sonangol 

“Building on our pioneering spirit and our long-term partnership with Angola, we are pleased to launch the Kaminho project along with our strategic partners, Sonangol and Petronas, and the strong support and confidence of the Angolan authorities. This project, which leverages innovation to fit with our investment criteria - breakeven under 30 $/b and carbon intensity of 16 kg CO2e/boe - will become our seventh FPSO in the country and the first-ever development in the Kwanza basin," said Pouyanné. 

The Block 20/11 site that includes Cameia and Golfinho fields is situated 100 km off the coast of Angola by 1,700 m water-depth, and is the first large deepwater development in the Kwanza basin. Its shareholders are TotalEnergies (40%), Petronas (40%) and Sonangol (20%). 

The FID will support the conversion of a very large crude carrier (VLCC) to a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. Connected to a subsea production network, the unit will be distinguished in its all-electric, sustainable feature. It will have the capacity to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, with scope for a full gas reinjection into the reservoirs to eliminate routine flaring. Bulk of the work will be delivered for TotalEnergies by Saipem under contracts worth US$3.7bn.

MoU to advance oil and gas decarbonisation

Sonangol EP is planning the Sumbe Reasearch and Development Centre to advance the decarbonisation of oil and gas industry, with a strong focus on methane emissions reduction and renewable energies. It has tied up with TotalEnergies on the project through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), whereby it will support the Sonangol research and technology teams with skill development on reservoir geology, process electrification and photovoltaics.

“We look forward to joining forces with Sonangol in technology to promote innovation and low-carbon technologies for the energy industry in Angola, in particular to slash methane emissions and contribute to the diversification of Angola's energy mix,” Pouyanné said. 

With offshore operations and construction at local yards, the Kaminho project will involve more than 10 mn man-hours in Angola. 

“This partnership is for us of extreme importance, as it creates a joint operating entity between Sonangol and TotalEnergies in production phase. It is also relevant that the contracts signed today include national companies and contribute to local content with more than 10 million hours of work to be performed by local companies,”said de Azevedo.

Production start-up is expected in 2028.

Following submissions, a competitive bidding process will lead to the selection of preferred and alternative suppliers. (Image source: African Energy Chamber)

Halliburton is inviting local companies to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the supply of goods and services across the oil and gas industry, and African service providers are not missing the opportunity

The EOI has several categories supporting oil and gas operations, such as machine repair and operation tools; oil, lubricants and tyers; lifting materials and accessories; welding and fabrication; calibration, certification and fuel, to mention a few. 

Following submissions, a competitive bidding process will lead to the selection of preferred and alternative suppliers. 

Besides advancing local interests and capabilities, the initiative strengthens supplier diversity as well, contributing to economic growth and market expansion.

Strong presence in Africa

Halliburton has a strong presence in Africa.

In Namibia, Halliburton won a deepwater multi-well construction contract in 2024 for Block 2914AHalliburton won a deepwater multi-well construction contract in 2024 for Block 2914A, which entails the construction of exploration and appraisal wells from Q4, 2024.

In March 2023, Halliburton won a US$1.4bn contract with Honeywell to develop oilfields and refinery for the Libyan National Oil Corporation.

Halliburton secured nine contracts by Woodside Energy for offshore oil and gas activities in Senegal, where the Sangomar Oilfield Development is all set to start production in the coming weeks.

In Nigeria, Halliburton won a US$300mn deal with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria for a large-scale offshore gas project.

“While various countries have already implemented local content policies that support local participation in oil and gas developments, many nascent producers have yet to establish the relevant local content regulation. Yet, companies such as Halliburton are proving that international service providers, project developers and investors can do a lot without a local content law. Halliburton is not only giving opportunities to local companies but is laying the foundation for a vibrant oil and gas landscape in Africa,” said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Located approximately 100 km off the coast of Angola, the Kaminho project involves the development of the Cameia and Golfinho oil fields. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Development of the Kaminho project in Angola is off to a good start with Saipem bagging three contracts from TotalEnergies-subsidiary, TotalEnergies EP Angola Block 20

Located approximately 100 km off the coast of Angola, the Kaminho project involves the development of the Cameia and Golfinho oil fields. 

An integrated business model that offers offshore and plant project management and engineering services, combined with a state-of-the-art fleet and local fabrication capacity, makes Saipem well-equiped to deliver the US$3.7bn contracts with diverse scopes of work.

SURF, FPSO and O&M contracts

The first contract is for engineering, procurement, construction, transportation and commissioning services of the Kaminho floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The second contract outlines the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Kaminho FPSO vessel for a firm period of 12 years with a potential eight-year extension. These services will draw on the expertise acquired from three other FPSOs that are currently deployed in Angola.

The third contract involves the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, pre-commissioning and assistance for the commissioning and start-up of a subsea, umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) package, which is made up of approximately 30 km of 8” and 10" subsea flowlines and risers, and umbilicals.

The associated structures will be fabricated in Saipem’s local yard in Ambriz.

For the offshore campaign, and specifically for the J-lay vessel, Saipem will deploy its FDS majorly through local supply chain for logistics and fabrication activities. 

The project adds to the 'resurgence of activity offshore Angola', as Chris Dyer of Oceaneering put it, while commenting on another TotalEnergies EP Angola initiative, the GIR FLEX'resurgence of activity offshore Angola', as Chris Dyer of Oceaneering put it, while commenting on another TotalEnergies EP Angola initiative, the GIR FLEX.