Eco seeks deals to unlock drilling, with Orange Basin focus
“We have a very strategic position in the basin,” Eco CEO Gil Holzman said this week. “Block 3B/4B is exactly on trend with Graff and Venus”, Shell and Total’s finds respectively.
Offshore
GNPC under fire for PetroSA plans, decom contract
The Prempeh letter was reported as saying that the offer to PetroSA was “scandalous” and that GNPC chairman Freddie Blay should “cease and desist immediately” from such offers. Blay had “totally ignored the wider interests” of Ghana, the minister said.
Total sets out drilling plans for South Africa’s Orange Basin
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMRE) accepted the scoping report on March 24.
Azule issues tenders for subsea work at PAJ
Azule signed the main contracts for the Agogo project on Block 15/06 in February. It awarded riser and flowline supply to TechnipFMC, while Subsea 7 won transportation and installation work.
Shell sees off Bonga case at Supreme Court
“The claimants’ lawyers spent five years and eight hearings to pursue this matter, disregarding the court’s time and costs. With no further right of appeal, this judgment brings an end to the claims here in England," a Shell representative said.
Afentra completes INA deal, eyes on Sonangol next
The licence extension was a condition for Afentra’s deal with Sonangol. The company agreed in April 2022 to pay $80mn for a 20% stake in Block 3/05. At the time, Afentra said it expected the deal to complete in the third quarter of 2022.
Big fields get bigger: Kosmos focuses on Jubilee near term
“The first well in the main field is starting up shortly. The build up to 110,000 bpd is clearly laid out and the activity set is on plan. The well rates are consistent – and slightly ahead of pre-drill estimates.”
Galp signs up rig for Orange Basin test
The Hercules is undergoing a special survey in Norway ahead of mobilisation to Canada. After Canada, it will re-cross the ocean and head to Namibia.
BP dishes out subsea work on Egypt’s Raven infill
The alliance will provide engineering, transport and installation of approximately six km of flexible pipes, umbilical and associated subsea structures. The company will carry out the work in water depths of around 800 metres.
Total plans out seventh FPSO for Angola
US-listed Cobalt International Energy initially explored the blocks. Total bought into the assets in 2019 from Sonangol, following Cobalt’s bankruptcy.
Impact raises cash to stay in the game offshore Namibia
Total spudded the Venus-1A well on March 4. It will also re-enter the original discovery and test both wells.
Expro settles Frank’s historic Angola bribes issue
Frank’s was private until August 2013. It continued to pay bribes after going public, the SEC said. While public, the company won another five contracts while using its sales agent.
Ghana volumes slide, with drilling delayed and Eni waiting
PIAC reported that total petroleum revenues to the government reached $1.43 billion in 2022, the highest on record. However, production declined to 51.76 million barrels in the year, around 142,000 barrels per day, down 6% from 2021.
Minister urges Nigeria to end fight with Eni, Shell over lucrative block
A senior Nigerian minister urged the country’s president to end a long-running dispute with Eni and Shell to allow the companies to finally develop a prized deepwater oil licence.
Aker Energy submits Pecan plan, sells out to AFC
Amoah said the company had faced “significant challenges” at its project. “We have shown once again our resilience and unflinching commitment to the project."
CGG sets out seismic plan offshore South Africa
CGG aims to carry out the work in the 2023-24 summer window, with seismic taking around four or five months to complete.
Chevron nears deal in shared block offshore Angola and Congo
Oil production from the block could start as early as two years after a deal is signed, Budimbu said.
International offshore oil calls once more
Nigeria’s emissions are 16 kg of CO2 per barrel and Angola’s 17 kg, while on the shelf they rise to an average of 33 kg.
Marathon’s West African hub plan takes shape
As of January 1, 2024, LNG produced from the Alba field “will be sold into the global LNG market, which is expected to drive a significant financial uplift for our company given the material arbitrage between Henry Hub and global LNG pricing”.
Africa to take centre stage for FLNG plans
Africa will “dominate” new floating LNG (FLNG) projects in the period to 2027, adding 10.2 million tonnes per year of capacity, according to a note from Westwood Global Energy Group.
BW Energy completes first Hibiscus well
The BW Adolo FPSO will process oil from this development phase alongside the Tortue production. Tankers will offload oil from the FPSO for export.
Total hammers out development plan on Luiperd
As the gas market grew, Africa Energies said the development of the Paddavissie Fairway would expand. The company believes there is more to be found in the region, based on 2D and 3D seismic.
Cheiron starts up second phase at Egypt’s GNN field
Cheiron said the find demonstrated the Gulf of Suez’s remaining exploration potential, despite being relatively mature. The GNN field was the first discovery in the Nukhul formation, it said.
Tunisia president seeks to claim Libyan oilfield stake
Aoun said Saied’s comments might refer to the continental shelf, rather than the Bouri field. Tunisia and Libya have established the Joint Oil company to work in this area, although this has not made any progress in recent years.
Blackford Dolphin kicks off drilling in Nigeria
Once the Blackford Dolphin completes its work for General Hydrocarbons, it will stay in Nigeria for work with Peak Petroleum, at a higher day rate.