Sonatrach plans gradual resumption
Sonatrach workers will return to work in compliance with directives set out by the public authorities, the company said, attempting to quash rumours that this would occur on May 31.
Africa
Surprise boost for Nigeria’s economy comes with higher oil flows
Nigerian economic growth beat estimates in the first quarter as oil production rose to the highest in at least four years.
Nigeria loses bid to hear Shell case in England
The Nigerian government has expressed disappointment that a High Court ruling in England has opted not to hear a civil claim against Shell, Eni and Energy Venture Partners (EVP), over the OPL 245 case.
Rain eats into Orca’s Q1 sales
Gas sales by Orca Exploration in Tanzania fell in the first quarter as higher than normal rainfall boosted hydropower generation.
Turkey issues warning to Haftar in Libya
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that any attempts by General Khalifa Haftar to target its interests in Libya would have “severe consequences”.
Nigeria’s illegal refiners take quality edge
Imports into Nigeria of gasoline and diesel are of worse quality than fuels produced from illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, a new study from Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) has reported.
SDX production booms in first quarter
SDX Energy reported a strong first quarter based largely on its fixed price gas business.
NNPC tapped to shore up Nigeria’s virus fight
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will provide the funds for expatriate Nigerians to be brought home.
Nigerian rig fire to burn for six weeks
Nigeria’s Guarantee Petroleum has contracted Halliburton and Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) to tackle a rig fire on the Ororo marginal field, on OML 95.
International lenders come together for NLNG
A consortium of local and Nigerian banks, with three export credit agencies (ECAs), have agreed to provide $3 billion of financing for the seventh train at Nigeria LNG (NLNG).
Eskom faces Kendal shutdown over emissions
Eskom has been instructed to halt work at a number of units at its Kendal power plant by the South African Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF).
Aminex inches forward in farm-out work
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has issued a certificate to Aminex, marking another step forward in its work to farm out a stake in the Ruvuma licence.
Nigeria allowed access to hedge fund papers in $9.8 billion suit
A US court granted Nigeria permission to request documents from VR Capital Group, the part owner of a company that received a $9.8 billion arbitration award the government is trying to overturn.
QP enters Cote d’Ivoire with Total deal
Qatar Petroleum (QP) has signed farm-in agreements with Total on two blocks offshore Cote d’Ivoire.
Total ditches Ghana purchase
Total has scrapped plans to buy assets that had belonged to Anadarko Petroleum in Ghana.
Tullow hits pause in Kenya
Tullow Oil has declared force majeure at its site in northern Kenya, putting plans to sanction the project this year in jeopardy.
EXIM tweaks terms for Mozambique LNG loan
The US’ Export-Import Bank has tweaked the loan it is providing to the Mozambique LNG project to include work offshore.
Zohr production drops in Q1
Egypt’s Zohr field produced 5.1 billion cubic metres of gas in the first quarter, according to Russia’s Rosneft.
MEA banks under oil price pressure
Middle East and African banks face mounting pressure from the gathering macroeconomic storm and oil price pressure, Fitch Ratings has said.
Sasol may add pipeline and Qatar plant to disposal plan
Sasol Ltd. is considering additional divestments, including the potential sale of stakes in an African gas pipeline and a Middle Eastern plant, as it explores ways to reduce its $10 billion debt pile, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Equatorial Guinea dishes out study work
Equatorial Guinea has awarded Nexant the feasibility study on a new formaldehyde plant at Punta Europa and work to develop a Gas Master Plan to Gas Strategies.
Insecurity in Cameroon derails exploration
Force majeure has been declared at two areas in Cameroon, Bakassi in the southwest and Zina-Makary in the far north, as a result of insecurity.
Mixed marginal field talk in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has denied reports that a new set of guidelines has been issued for marginal fields.
Saipem firms up NLNG construction win
Nigeria LNG has awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a seventh train, worth more than $4 billion.
COPL in last-ditch financing talks
Canadian Overseas Petroleum (COPL) is experiencing liquidity woes to the point that it does not have sufficient cash to continue operations.