Exploration

Africa-China energy collaboration: a new era begins in Shanghai

The AEC’s expansion into China signals a new era of energy diplomacy.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has launched a new international office in Shanghai, China, marking a strategic step to deepen energy collaboration between Africa and China

This move is aimed at fostering stronger partnerships between African governments, energy companies, and their Chinese counterparts while positioning Africa not just as a player, but as a force in global energy dialogue.

The Shanghai office will serve as a vital link for Chinese companies and government institutions seeking to invest in or collaborate with Africa’s energy sector. Bieni Da has been appointed as the Chief Representative of the AEC in China. He will lead all engagements and ensure the Chamber plays a key role in bridging the two regions. The goal is to encourage long-term cooperation and drive investments that benefit both Africa and China, especially in strategic sectors like energy infrastructure, technology, and development.

A core mission of the new office is to close Africa’s substantial energy financing gap, currently estimated between $31 billion and $50 billion. Although energy demand across the continent is rising, many African companies lack access to capital. The AEC sees China as a prime source of both funding and technical expertise. Under Bieni Da’s leadership, the Shanghai office will actively work to connect Chinese financiers with African energy projects and scale up investment in oil, gas, renewables, and energy infrastructure.

In recent years, Chinese companies have increasingly invested in Africa’s energy landscape. For instance, Wing Wah is leading the US$2BN Bango Kayo oilfield expansion project in the Republic of Congo, focusing on monetising flared gas for domestic use. Meanwhile, CNOOC is expanding across the continent, engaging in deepwater exploration in Angola, pipeline development in East Africa, and offshore projects in Mozambique and Tanzania. CNPC has invested in Mozambique’s Coral South FLNG and signed a major crude oil agreement with Niger.

“The AEC wants to see greater Chinese investment across the entire African oil and gas value chain – from upstream projects to downstream infrastructure to manufacturing, power and technology. China offers significant expertise in these areas and the Shanghai office will unlock new collaborative opportunities in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, renewable energy and more,” said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the AEC.

The Chamber also plans to host high-level investment forums in Shanghai. These events will bring together African and Chinese leaders, government officials, and business executives to explore opportunities and forge lasting partnerships. The office will serve as a base for meetings, workshops, and knowledge exchange aimed at driving cross-border energy progress.

“Africa and China have a common goal: to eradicate energy poverty. It is time to walk the walk and bring Chinese expertise and capital to African projects. Bieni Da, has a strong network in the public and private sector that will drive these engagements, giving Africa a chance to expand to a mutually beneficial relationship that is win-win with China. This office is a testament to making sure we leave our footprint,” added Ayuk.

The AEC’s expansion into China signals a new era of energy diplomacy, where both continents stand to gain through stronger collaboration, smarter financing, and sustainable energy development.

Teledyne GFD launches new range of methane detectors

The models cover a wide range of applications. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection (Teledyne GFD) gas has launched its new MethaSense range of battery-powered methane detectors, comprising three models using cutting-edge NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensor technology for reliable and precise methane detection

MethaSense, designed for residential and commercial applications, is a compact, wireless natural gas detector with a range of 0-5 % volume, featuring accurate detection without false alarms, and immediate alerts through integrated audible and visual alarms. With progressive signal processing algorithms, MethaSense detects, alarms and monitors methane at concentrations as low as 10% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for enhanced safety. Optional wireless (LoRaWAN) connectivity enables real-time gas detection visualisation, providing clear, actionable insights.

MethaSense XP is engineered for industrial environments where robust performance and reliability are essential. MethaSense XP’s rugged design and reliable detection capabilities ensure worker safety and operational continuity, especially in areas where maintenance access is limited

It combines the same advanced NDIR sensor technology with enhanced durability and wireless communication options, including LoRaWAN, NB-IoT and Bluetooth. MethaSense XP again features audible and visual alarms, while its 10+ year battery autonomy and immunity to corrosion and saturation make the detector ideal for continuous safety monitoring in demanding conditions. With ATEX and IECEx certifications, MethaSense XP operates reliably in hazardous zones.

MethaSense Trace is a high-performance methane detector for LDAR (leak detection and repair) and utility applications, where accurate and autonomous methane monitoring is essential for regulatory compliance and environmental protection. A rugged build with IP67 ingress protection rating for outdoor use ensure uninterrupted performance in harsh conditions, reducing operational risks and maintenance costs.

With exceptional methane sensitivity, it provides 10× higher methane selectivity than previous-generation sensors, with a detection range that extends from 50 ppm to 100% volume for both low-emission environmental monitoring and high-concentration safety thresholds.

The detector delivers 24/7 methane emission monitoring, detection and quantification across large-scale industrial sites. By combining real-time sensing, cloud-based analytics and automated reporting, MethaSense Trace enables operators to detect, localise and measure methane emissions with precision. This not only helps reduce emissions but also ensures full compliance with new methane regulations.

“NDIR technology, as utilised by all three detectors in our new MethaSense series, offers high selectivity, fast response times and long-term reliability,” explained Régis Prevost, product line manager, Teledyne GFD. “Users benefit from natural gas detectors that provide a low-maintenance, cost-effective, versatile solution for continuous methane monitoring, supported by key features that include up to 10+ years of battery life, zero recalibration requirements, wireless connectivity options, and suitability for smart infrastructure and safety-critical environments.”

Discovered and recoverable oil resources increase

Discovered and recoverable oil resources have increased by 5bn bbl over the past year, according to Rystad. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Discovered and recoverable oil resources have increased by 5bn bbl over the past year, according to Rystad Energy’s latest research, primarily as a result of potential in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta play and the Permian Delaware basin in Texas and New Mexico

Global recoverable oil resources, including estimates for undiscovered fields, stabilised at approximately 1.5 trillion barrels. However Rystad has revised down its projection of yet-to-find resources due to a steep decline in frontier exploration, unsuccessful shale developments outside the Americas and a doubling in offshore costs over the past five years. Rystad Energy expects new conventional oil projects to replace less than 30% of production over the next five years, while exploration would replace only around 10%.

The world’s proven oil reserves currently amount to only 14 years of production. If future global oil demand increases, as forecast by OPEC, supply will struggle to keep up with demand, even at attractive prices for producers. However, if the energy transition continues to make inroads, future oil demand is expected to fall, particularly with the greater electrification of transport vehicles, as seen in China.

“Full extraction of these oil resources will require oil prices stabilising at higher levels and further estimate increases will require new technologies to lower production costs. Over the next decades, the capital needed will likely not be available to meet continuously increasing oil demand, service prices could skyrocket, and there will likely be limited appetite for innovations to sustain such high emissions from oil,” said Per Magnus Nysveen, chief analyst at Rystad Energy.

If oil demand rises over the next few decades, global recoverable resources will not offer the supply needed to meet it, creating a constrained economic environment that would not be able to compete with less capital-intensive energy sources. As a result, Rystad Energy does not expect oil demand to continue to grow steeply towards 2050.

“In a world with flat or growing demand after 2030, another oil super-cycle would be needed. This scenario would require a substantial increase in frontier exploration and drilling success as well as accelerated deployment of secondary recovery and full-scale development of non-core shale plays in North America and globally,” said Artem Abramov, deputy head of Analysis at Rystad Energy .

AOG 2025 conference back in Luanda

Deals & Showcases Track at AOG 2025.

The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference that will be held from 3-4 September in Luanda is bringing Deals & Showcases Track as part of the main conference agenda

An addition to the Strategic and Technical Tracks, Deals & Showcases will explore the procurement process of some of the country’s biggest operators. The track will also feature presentations that demonstrate youth-led innovation in Angolan oil and gas.

The Deals & Showcases Track is geared towards both Angolan youth as well as the country’s service providers, entrepreneurs and innovators. Led by major players, the track will introduce key solutions across the value chain, with presentations offering insight into innovative methods to drive exploration, production and broader industry development in Angola.

A masterclass on Understanding IOC Procurement: Best Practices for Service Companies will take place during the event. The session will navigate the procurement processes of international companies active in Angola, providing an in-depth look at how companies structure their procurement strategies, what they prioritize in supplier selection and how service providers can optimize their approach to meet industry expectations. The session will be led by Adao Costa, Procurement Manager at ExxonMobil Angola.

A session powered by Angola’s national oil company Sonangol – titled SonaJovem Showcase – will see entrepreneurs and innovators take the stage to present their business solutions to a panel of seasoned investors and executives. With a few minutes to make their case, Angola’s bright minds will showcase the potential of their technology, business model or energy solution. Additionally, a closed-door Carbon Market Session will also take place during this track, followed by a showcase led by energy major TotalEnergies.

Meanwhile, a session on Empowering Local: Forex Solutions for Sustainable Growth in Angola’s Oil & Gas Sector will examine the evolving financial landscape in Angola and the impact on local service providers. The session will feature insights from experts and industry leaders on how to overcome hurdles in securing foreign currency for international payments and how to position local businesses for growth in a US-dollar dominated global market.

Energy Jeel Initiative to empower Libyan youth in oil and gas

The programme aims to upskill participants in the energy sector.

With an aim to advance the Energy Jeel Initiative, the African Energy Chamber has entered a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Oil and Gas of Libya

The programme aims to upskill participants in the energy sector, keeping in mind a just and inclusive energy future that is currently driving Africa. Areas of focus will include skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship and gender inclusion in the energy workforce, with an approach designed to integrate Libya into the nation’s energy community. The AEC will work closely with the Ministry to facilitate on-the-job training and internships; host joint ventures, workshops and youth summits; provide visibility and endorsement through AEC platforms and publications; and enable access to Africa’s vast energy networks.

By investing in youth-led growth, the Energy Jeel Initiative will help address critical challenges in Africa’s energy future – including energy poverty, workforce gaps and the need for greater regional collaboration. With over 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity and 900 million still reliant on traditional biomass for cooking, Africa’s oil, gas and renewable energy resources pose a strong opportunity to drive industrialisation. Building a skilled and inclusive workforce is key to cultivating this sustainable development.

Libya’s energy sector offers vast potential for both fossil fuel and renewable energy development. With significant oil and gas reserves, alongside world-class solar and wind resources, the country is uniquely positioned to play a major role in Africa’s energy security and transition. Through the Energy Jeel Initiative, the Ministry of Oil and Gas aims to ensure that this development benefits all segments of society, particularly young people and women.

The Energy Jeel Initiative also stands to benefit from Libya’s renewed upstream momentum, with recent developments such as ExxonMobil’s MoU with the country’s National Oil Corporation signaling fresh investment and exploration activity. As global players re-engage with Libya’s oil and gas sector, the Initiative will equip young professionals with the technical skills and industry knowledge they need to participate in and lead future projects. This alignment ensures Libya’s youth are directly connected to the country’s expanding role in Africa’s energy landscape.

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