The oil & gas sector knows no break and has had its fair share of developments over the past two weeks. Here is what you need to know as you get back to the office.
Mozambique has announced the results of its 6th Licensing Round
On December 21st, Mozambique revealed the results of its 6th Licensing Round, which resulted in the award of only six blocks out of the 16 license areas that were proposed. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) secured five blocks over the Save and Angoche Basins and Eni Mozambique securing one license in the Angoche Basin. None of the areas within the Zambeze Basin were awarded.
“The Exploration programs proposed for the first sub-period of the Exploration Period have
the potential to allow investments amounting to approximately $369.8m, foreseeing the acquisition of 31,200 Km2 of 3D seismic, opening of a minimum of four wells in deep water, and other geoscientific studies,” the National Institute of Petroleum (INP) said in a statement.
Nigeria has launched a Mini Bid Round for deep-water blocks
On December 21st, Nigeria announced its Mini Bid Round 2022 and put seven deep-water blocks on offer covering some 6,700 km2. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for January 16th while pre-qualification applications mut be submitted by January 31st.
Under the new PIA regime, the blocks on offer are PPL-300-DO (former OPL 312); PPL-301-DO (former OPL 313); PPL-302-DO (former OPL 314); PPL-303-DO, PPL-304-DO, and PPL-305-DO (the three used to form IPL 318); and PPL-306-DO (former OPL 327).
This Mini Bid Round will be a test for Nigeria’s attractiveness and competitiveness after a full overhaul of its oil & gas regulatory regime with the adoption of the PIA in 2021.
Eni has selected a provider for its second FLNG unit in Congo-Brazzaville
On December 22nd, Eni announced the signing of a contract with Wison Heavy Industry of China for the construction and installation of a 2.4 mtpa floating LNG unit in the Republic of Congo, offshore Pointe Noire. The unit will be the second FLNG facility of Eni in Congo since the company expects to commission this year the 0.6 mtpa Tango FLNG vessel it acquired from Exmar a few months ago. Both units will be monetizing associated gas from the Marine XII permit.
Total Gabon expanded its upstream portfolio in Central Africa
On December 26th, TotalEnergies EP Gabon extended its presence in Gabon with the signing of a new Exploitation & Production Sharing Contract (EPSC) over the Baudroie-Merou-Marine G5-143 permit. The 25-year agreement will run until 2047.
“We remain fully committed as an energy producer in Gabon. We will maintain our investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by valorising associated gas and will continue to implement actions to maintain our production,” said Henri-Max Ndong-Nzue, President of TotalEnergies EP Gabon.
Invictus Energy has finished drilling its first wildcat onshore Zimbabwe
On January 3rd, Invictus Energy confirmed that technical and operational issues prevented a discovery at its Mukuyu-1 wildcat well onshore Zimbabwe. However, multiple potential gas bearing reservoir units were encountered and the well did prove the existence of a working hydrocarbons system.
The Rig 202 is currently warm stacked on site for maintenance and upgrades and will recommence drilling operations later this year. Invictus Energy is considering an appraisal well (Mukuyu-2) or the drilling of Baobab-1. As a result, the contract with EXALO Drilling for the rig has been extended by another 12 months.