Chariot will operate the Lixus and Rissana Offshore licences. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Chariot has assumed operatorship with a 75% working interest in both the Lixus Offshore and Rissana Offshore licences, with ONHYM keeping its 25% stake 

This comes as Energean completes the transfer of their wholly owned subsidiary which held 45% and 37.5% respectively in the Lixus Offshore and Rissana Offshore licences.

The Lixus Offshore licence includes the Anchois gas field where Chariot is heavily invested. Following the drilling of three wells from the field, which did not perform according to expectations, Chariot still hopes to leverage multiple good quality gas bearing reservoirs that were found in the main B sand appraisal interval.

The operatorship will give Chariot greater scope to progress the licence work programmes along with ONHYM to further assess the Anchois development plan based on discovered resources.

Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of Chariot, said, “We are pleased to have completed the transfer of these licences and regained operatorship as we see material value within our diversified Moroccan position, both offshore and onshore. The Anchois gas discovery still offers the potential for a rescaled development and our next steps are to scope this based on the core resources found in the three wells underpinned by our previous work on engineering design, environmental and regulatory approvals, project financing and gas sales. Gas market fundamentals in Morocco are robust with strong gas demand and excellent fiscal terms and we will look to work with all stakeholders, including our partner ONHYM and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development to advance these important domestic projects.”

It will be a nearshore type LNG facility. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Gabon is set to see the development of a mega liquefied natural gas facility for which Dixstone will be delivering a construction, procurement and integration contract for the project in Cap Lopez

It will be a nearshore type LNG facility designed to produce 0.7mn tonnes per annum of LNG and 25,000 tons of LPG per year in the first phase. A gas tanker will be converted to a floating storage and offloading vessel that will have a storage capacity of 137,000 cu/m.  

The liquefaction barge will be constructed in the company's new office in Dubai, which has been chosen as a strategic location to extend its 20-year-long vessel conversion experience for clients around the world. 

Dixstone will be utilising the Les Chantiers du Gabon yard in Port-Gentil to work with Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon, supporting gas mobilisation activities from the fields it operates on the region. This way, it will also advance local content and support the works at Cap Lopez Terminal.

Nigeria-Morocco pipeline project finds new financer. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

After China and the United States, the United Arab Emirates has announced its intention for contribution to funding the US$25bn Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project

The country has expressed its interests to build a pipeline for shipping Nigerian gas to Europe through Morocco.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the OPEC Fund will also be financing the project, according to Leila Benali, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.

Benali told Morocco’s parliament last week that China’s Jingye Steel Group has been awarded a contract to supply pipes to the project.

“Morocco has completed all preliminary feasibility and engineering studies for the planned gas pipeline that will connect Nigeria to Morocco,” she said to the Moroccan press. 

Multiple financing partners

The Southern Dakhla city in the Sahara region marks the starting point of a 5,660-kilometre long pipeline, which will be linked with the pipeline in Nigeria. Dakhla will also be linked to North Morocco, where gas will be shipped to some European markets, the Minister added.

“As for finance, the project has won the support of IDB, OPEC Fund, EIB and the UAE…it will pass through 15 African countries,” she said.

A joint venture between Morocco and Nigeria is on the pipeline to advance the project. 

A multi-purpose vessel outfitted with two work class ROVs will be deployed. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Offshore Projects Group by Oceaneering International will be delivering subsea inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) services and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field for bp Mauritania Investments Limited

A multi-year contract, it will see the deployment of a multi-purpose vessel outfitted with two work class ROVs. The scope of work will also include project management, engineering, and integration services provided by Oceaneering’s local and international personnel. Engineering and pre-mobilization activities have commenced, with field operations expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025. The initial contract duration is three years, with two one-year options to extend.

Ben Laura, Oceaneering’s chief operating officer, said, “Oceaneering has a track record of safely providing inspection, maintenance, and repair solutions globally. We believe that our expertise in delivering high-quality subsea solutions in harsh environments, utilising our advanced products and services, was a key element to winning this contract. We look forward to supporting bp’s operations in this field.” 

The GTA phase 1 has successfully commenced as it marked its first gas flow earlier this year, and recently generated the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export markets.