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Six operators pre-qualified under Mozambique’s 6th Licensing Round

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Following the evaluation of pre-qualification documents from thirteen bidders, Mozambique has pre-qualified 12 companies under its ongoing 6th Licensing Round. Only Nigerian independent Aiteo Exploration & Production did not meet the requirements for pre-qualification.

Pre-qualified operators include three Chinese national oil companies (NOCs): CNOOC, Sinopec International and PetroChina International. The three international oil companies (IOCs) already present in the country, Eni, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, also pre-qualified as operators.

Under the 6th Licensing Round, companies are able to apply for Exploration and Production Concession Contracts (EPCC) after studying data licensed by the INP under standard Master Licensing Agreements (MLA).

Most work commitment programmes include a first sub-period with seismic acquisition and a minimum spending of $5m. Drilling commitments must be made only when entering the second sub-period.

To support bidders, the INP has made available 2D and 3D seismic datasets for Multi-Client licensing. These surveys cover both onshore and offshore areas and consist of 22,715 sq. km of 3D seismic, 41,905 km of offshore 2D seismic and 18,735 km of onshore 2D seismic.

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Nigerian independent launches new medical diagnostics laboratory in Delta State

ND Western, a member of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) of Nigeria, and the state-owned Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, have officially commissioned a new world-class laboratory in Delta State yesterday. The Delta Plus Diagnostics facility was completed earlier this year in Ogunu and provides a world-class, fully equipped, molecular laboratory offering Covid-19 and blood testing services to hospitals, health management organisations (HMOs), corporations and individuals. The project is the result of a successful and strategic partnership between ND Western, Nigerian think tank Bloom Public Health and Nigerian provider of laboratory equipment Katchey Laboratories. “This partnership is an outstanding model in health financing, and one to be emulated by other stakeholders in Nigeria’s public health sector,” said Bloom Public Health. Delta Plus Diagnostics is accredited by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and now serves the South-South region of Nigeria with critical medical diagnostics services, thereby reducing the need to travel long distances.

Mozambique’s Balama graphite mine to rely on new hybrid solar/thermal power system

Solarcentury Africa, part of the BB Energy Group, has just reached financial close on a 11.25 MWp solar PV plant and 8.5 MW/MWh battery energy storage system for Mozambique’s Balama graphite mine. The project is financed by CrossBoundary Energy and is expected to start operating at the end of Q1 2023. The Balama mine is operated by Syrah Resources of Australia and currently relies on a 15.4 MW diesel driven power station. The new solar and battery facilities will be integrated to the existing thermal power generation plant and managed by a hybrid power control system, delivered under a 10-year build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) arrangement. The arrangement comprises an operating lease and an operating and maintenance contract. “The hybrid power system will supply approximately 35% of the Mine’s power needs, resulting in a c. 35% reduction of diesel consumption,” Syrah Resources and BB Energy said in a statement. At the end of the 10-year contract, ownership of the project company will be transferred from CrossBoundary Energy to Syrah Resources.