Mozambique Rovuma Venture said today that the government of Mozambique had approved its development plan for the Rovuma LNG project, which will produce, liquefy and market natural gas from three reservoirs located in the Area 4 block offshore Mozambique, two of which straddle the boundary with neighboring Area 1.

Under President João Lourenço, the Angolan oil and gas sector has grown from strength to strength and opportunities await for businesses in all sectors who are keen to increase their exports into new markets.

South Africa’s state-owned oil company Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) will own and operate Block B2; In 2018, South Africa agreed to invest $1billion into South Sudan’s energy infrastructure; South Sudan has the third-largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, estimated at 3.5 billion barrels, with j

The signing of the new exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) between South Sudan and South Africa’s Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) is a boost to the oil sector and promotes peace and stability within the country. This landmark oil deal marks yet another achievement for Africa’s growing energy investments and will provide further boost to South Sudan’s economic revival.

ExxonMobil said today it will increase its exploration acreage in Namibia with the addition of approximately 7 million net acres (28,000 square kilometers) following the signing of an agreement with the government of Namibia and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) for blocks 1710 and 1810, and farm-in agreements with NAMCOR for blocks 1711 and 1811A.

BP announced first gas production from the second stage of its West Nile Delta development offshore Egypt. 

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that Vivo Energy, a market-leading company that distributes and markets Shell branded fuels and lubricants in Africa, has selected IBM Services for its digital transformation journey based on SAP S/4HANA®.  A rapid start to the relationship using agile methods has already led to the completion of a major project milestone with two out of fifteen of Vivo Energy's country locations transferred to SAP S/4HANA to help boost efficiency and unlock operational insights.

Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill") announces today that it has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with Empresa de Serviços e Sondagens de Angola Ltda, an affiliate of Sonangol E.P. ("Sonangol"). The new joint venture, Sonadrill, will operate four drillships, focusing on opportunities in Angolan waters.

SDX Energy Inc. (TSXV, AIM: SDX), the North Africa focused oil and gas company, is pleased to announce that it has increased its presence in Morocco with the awards of the Moulay Bouchta Ouest and Lalla Mimouna Sud licenses.

Total has made a significant gas condensate discovery on the Brulpadda prospects, located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175 kilometers off the southern coast of South Africa. 

Gas discovery in the offshore Outeniqua Basin speaks to South Africa’s hidden oil & gas potential; gives an opportunity for a meaningful dialogue on attractive legislation and local content development.

Eland Oil & Gas PLC (AIM: ELA), an oil & gas production and development company operating in West Africa with an initial focus on Nigeria, is delighted to announce that through its joint-venture subsidiary, Elcrest Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd ("Elcrest"), it has completed drilling phase of the Gbetiokun-3 appraisal/development well.

In December, I was accompanying OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and Africa Oil and Power CEO, Guillaume Doane on a working visit to Angola. This is an oil market that has been under a lot of scrutiny by many industry players and there is no question that Angola’s oil sector is at a time of transformation. It is now clear that when President João Lourenço’s promised he would clean the country’s administration and revamp its economic engine, namely the national oil company Sonangol, he meant business.

Total has agreed to develop joint activities in the downstream petroleum sector in Angola, with national company Sonangol. Already long-term partners in the upstream business, the two companies have decided to establish a Joint Venture company to develop a common retail and distribution activity in the country, the fourth largest market in sub-Saharan Africa.

Eland Oil & Gas PLC (AIM: ELA), an oil & gas production and development company operating in West Africa with an initial focus on Nigeria, announces that through its joint-venture subsidiary, Elcrest Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd ("Elcrest"), development operations continue on the Gbetiokun field.