Total announces that it has reached a binding agreement with Occidental to acquire Anadarko’s assets in Africa (Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa) for a consideration of 8.8 billion $ in the event of a successful completion of Occidental’s ongoing bid for Anadarko. The transaction is contingent upon Occidental entering into and completing its proposed acquisition of Anadarko and to approval by the relevant authorities and is expected to close in 2020. 

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will for the first time be showcasing 15-20 local companies in the South African National Pavillion at the prestigious Africa Oil Week event (www.Africa-OilWeek.com), which will take place in Cape Town, from 4-8 November 2019.

Africa Oil & Power 2019 (www.AOP2019.com) is the official conference of South Africa’s Department of Energyand will welcome 20+ African petroleum and power ministers. AOP announces its 2019 theme #MakeEnergyWork.The theme will showcase the energy sector as a key driver of economic growth, jobs and opportunity for Africa’s people and private sectors. ‘Africa’s Energy Conference’ bridges traditional and alternative energy, fossil fuels and renewables, and petroleum and power to foster intra-African investment. 

As Angola works in attracting foreign investors from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, its closest African neighbours are also entering the race to tap into vast investment opportunities in Africa’s second biggest oil producing market.

Angola has emerged as the hub of foreign direct investments within Africa, and the prospects of attracting more FDI this year are bright, particularly in the country’s oil and gas sector. The ambitious reform agenda of President João Laurenço and that of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Dr. Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, has already resulted in increased investment from the country’s biggest European operators. This current state of play now presents an opportunity for North American companies to re-engage and re-invest in the Angolan market.

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.