Libya’s Energy Future: Industry and Political risk outlook was launched at a Chatham House seminar in London on 20 July.
Based on African Energy’s unparalleled track record in following Libya’s energy story and careful, originally sourced reporting from Libya and global markets, this updated and enlarged special report analyses the major issues and the financial and political trends influencing development of Libya's energy industries. Read more
A detailed guide to electrification in Africa
A 400-page study published in Paris by Karthala, L’Electricité au Coeur des Défis Africains (available in French only) includes an overview of the continental electricity supply industry and examples of generation, transmission and distribution projects. A chapter on decentralised rural electrification is followed by another on the establishment of decentralised services companies.
The book draws on articles and materials from a number of experts and sources, including African Energy.
Order a copy now, priced €36 / £30 plus postage and packing. Email: nick@africa-energy.com
AfricaHardball is an executive dialogue that brings together policy-makers, industry leaders and analysts to discuss the key political issues affecting the African energy industry in frank and open terms.
The last AfricaHardball roundtable was held on 29 June, prior to the start of EnergyNet Ltd’s annual Africa Energy Forum (AEF), in Basel. Read more
On the page below you will find a selection of articles from the African Energy archive. All items preceded by a padlock symbol require a subscription.
BHEL moves ahead in Libya, Sudan as Indian engineering companies boom
India’s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has commissioned a first 150MW gas turbine at the 600MW Western Mountain power project in Libya. BHEL is carrying out the work on a turnkey basis for General Electricity Company of Libya (Gecol). Issue 93, December 2005. more
Pointer – Another find for European group
Repsol YPF (operator), Total, OMV and Norsk Hydro have made a sixth oil discovery in Block NC 186 in the Murzuq Basin. Issue 93, December 2005. more
Shell starts Sirte Basin seismic
Shell EP Libya GmbH has begun acquiring seismic in the onshore Sirte Basin as its Marsa el Brega gas project gets under way. Contracts have been awarded for the deployment of four seismic crews with a phased start up between November 2005 and March 2006. Issue 93, December 2005.more
North African gas update
The dash for gas in industrialised economies has made North Africa’s natural gas provinces very hot properties indeed. Supermajors have fallen over each other to get a significant piece of the potential action in Libya – which, like several other choice properties, has been pioneered by Italy’s Eni. Shell has followed after long, frustrating years of lobbying with its own Libyan gas project. BP would like to follow suit, as part of its Mediterranean gas expansion, which also includes a substantial stake in Algeria (diluted by a farm-out to Statoil agreed before the extent of the chase for gas reserves became apparent). Issue 93, December 2005.more
North African upstream update
A sector still dominated by national oil companies has opened up to a heartening extent during recent years, helped by the decision of Opec producers Algeria and Libya to introduce competitive licensing rounds. IOCs have also been encouraged to look again at upstream opportunities in the Maghreb and Egypt by the Mediterranean Basin’s dash for gas. No longer is costly work wasted if the explorer finds natural gas rather than crude or condensate – indeed, the scale of project then undertaken and potential profits may be greater still. Issue 92, November 2005. more
NOC ponders ‘integrated’ deals and bid rounds
Some asset hungry IOCs are looking for big deals outside NOC’s licensing round structure, while Libyan officials who talked to African Energy would prefer open bidding, writes Selwa Calderbank. Issue 91, October 2005.more
Aggressive bids from Europeans and Asians pay off in Libya’s latest EPSA-4 round
Some of the supermajors expected to bid held back – some of them perhaps trying to secure directly negotiated ‘integrated’ deals with NOC instead – but a raft of European and Asian firms were prepared to bid very low to secure their take in EPSA-4 round two. Issue 91, October 2005.more
Scientific nuclear energy accord
The United States and Libya have signed a scientific co-operation agreement for the use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Issue 91, October 2005. more
With Western Libyan Gas Project, an emerging industry gathers pace
Anxious to keep up with its ambitious neighbours Algeria and Egypt, Libya is pressing ahead with projects that tap into growing European demand, and which can help develop a domestic industry. Eni’s pipeline project provides an excellent template for NOC’s ambitions. Issue 90, September 2005.more
North and East Africa downstream update
Buoyed up by the proceeds of higher prices and with the need to create jobs in mind, major Mediterranean oil and gas producers are pushing to create value by investing in refining and petrochemicals projects. A number of these are charted in the North Africa downstream update table. Traditional investors remain reluctant to buy into refineries but, as both the North and East regional updates show, a number of major Asian integrated companies are offering refinery construction and other downstream infrastructure as an incentive for state bodies to allocate them sought-after upstream assets. There is also some potential for upgrade and expanded refineries to sell into EU markets, as European environmental and other concerns reduce the scope for building new infrastructure. Issue 90, September 2005.more
Imports set to eclipse BG’s dominance of the Tunisian gas market
Domestic oil capacity can no longer keep up with demand, so alternative fuels are being sought with important ramifications for Tunisia’s natural gas industry and perhaps also for Libya, writes Selwa Calderbank. Issue 89, August 2005. more
South Koreans sign with Gecol for co-operation
Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) on 26 June signed a 32-month technology co-operation and on-site training agreement with General Electricity Company of Libya. Issue 88, July 2005.more
Indies seek ringsides seats as Libya’s NOC sticks with ‘winning formula’ for EPSA-4 Round 2
There was a particularly strong turnout of mid-sized independents at roadshows in Tripoli and London to launch the second EPSA-4 licensing round. Despite signs of a cooling of Tripoli’s ardour towards US firms, the industry remains excited, write Jon Marks, Selwa Calderbank and James Gavin. Issue 87, June 2005.more
Shell’s integrated deal points to muscular Libya’s real attractions
After months of hard bargaining, Royal Dutch/Shell has marked its formal return to Libya with a major deal for five exploration blocks and the upgrading of the ageing Marsa al-Brega liquefied natural gas plant. Shell said its Shell Exploration and Production Libya GmbH subsidiary had reached an agreement with National Oil Corporation (NOC) for the refurbishment and upgrade of Marsa al-Brega, together with exploration and development of five areas in the Sirte Basin. Issue 86, May 2005.more
A clearer view of the Libyan oil sector
The recent Article IV report by the International Monetary Fund includes statistical appendices that provide an unusually clear picture of the Libyan oil industry. For this reason, we republish some of the raw data in the tables below. Issue 85, April 2005.more
Gecol’s regional ambitions – domestic demand comes first
Eleven bidders are reportedly lining up to participate in a component of General Electricity Company of Libya (Gecol)’s $1.2bn strategy to improve its domestic electricity network availability and prepare for links with regional networks. Issue 84, March 2005.more
Lack of enthusiasm on development licensing round
The market is still assessing the impact of the first EPSA-IV round, whose level of transparency and efficiency surprised Libya-watchers and potential rivals in the region for IOC investment (AE 83/18). Issue 84, March 2005.more
Libya welcomes back US big spenders, with tastier offerings to come for disappointed IOCs
Big spending, rather than Libya’s aim of sealing political relations with Washington, was the determining factor in US companies taking 11 of the 15 permits in the EPSA-4 round. Disappointed IOCs may take comfort in the second licensing round planned for Q2 2005, write James Gavin and Jon Marks. Issue 83, February 2005. more
General Secretary (Prime Minister) Shukri Ghanem is facing stiff domestic opposition to his plans to shake up the public subsidy system, amid fears that plans to increase tariffs may even exacerbate local non-payment problems. Issue 81, December 2004.more
US firms take a lead with EPSA-4 licensing round
Some 17 US firms were among the 60 international oil companies that prequalified to bid on 15 concessions covering 55 oil and gas blocks in the ongoing EPSA-4 licensing round (AE 78/14). Issue 81, December 2004.more
Pointer – €180m order for Germans
Siemens was awarded a €180m ($224m) order to upgrade General Electric Company of Libya (Gecol)’s power supply network, the German electronics and engineering group said on 18 October. Issue 80, November 2004. more
US lifts Libyan sanctions giving boost to big oil’s return
The timing was perfect for energy companies when President George W. Bush on 20 September formally lifted US trade sanctions on Libya. Although most of the sanctions were suspended in April, the decision to formally revoke them now will provide an especially help to US oil companies as the Oasis Group of Amerada Hess, ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation negotiate their return to the Jamahiriya (State of the Masses). Issue 79, October 2004.more
Libya launches EPSA-4 licensing round
Libya has finally announced its much anticipated first EPSA-4 round. IOC appetites are , whetted, but as so often in Tripoli things may not be as simple as first seem, writes Jon Marks. Issue 78, September 2004.more
Russian power station contract confirmed at long last
The Moscow daily Kommersant on 4 August reported that the government had finally given “framework approval” for Federal State Unitary Enterprise Technopromexport (TPE)’s estimated $600m contract to install two new units at the Tripoli West thermal power station. Issue 78, September 2004.more
Indians still keen on refineries, crude imports
State refiner Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and state-owned consultancy Engineers India (EIL) plan to combine to modernise two refineries in Libya, Dow Jones quoted an IOC official as saying on 2 September. Issue 78, September 2004.more
More delays to Shell’s LNG breakthrough
There is considerable speculation surrounding one of the apparent flagships of Libya’s recent ‘reopening’ to international investment – the planned deal with Royal Dutch/Shell covering four Sirte Basin blocks that would support an integrated liquefied natural gas venture, for which an HoA was signed in March. Issue 78, September 2004.more
Tripoli invites Indian investment upstream and downstream
Libya has invited Indian oil companies to refurbish and operate its oil refineries, in need of investment after years of sanctions. Issue 76, July 2004.more
New-look Libya offers improved terms. So where’s the pitfall?
A new model contract, a radically revised regulatory framework and new friends in Washington. No wonder IOCs are rushing to embrace the new Libya. But have things really changed that much? Issue 75, June 2004.more
CGG seismic for NOC as majors form a queue
National Oil Company has given France’s Compagnie Générale de Géophysique, in co-operation with North African Geophysical Company, exclusive rights for a speculative multi-client programme over the entire Libyan offshore. The contract was signed in Tripoli on 7 April. Issue 74, May 2004.more
Europeans line up credit as sanctions regime wanes
President George W. Bush’s 23 April announcement that most US sanctions would be lifted (except for the Jamahiriya’s listing by the State Department as a country that supports terrorism) was sooner than many analysts expected, but it seemed to confirm what many European companies had been fretting about – that America Inc. would soon be present as a major competitor in Libya (AE 73/32). Issue 74, May 2004.more
Libyan downside submerged in a welter of good news
It seems to be all good news coming out of Libya – so much so that it is difficult to remember that doing business in Muammar Qadhafi’s Jamahiriya (State of the Masses) is likely to remain problematic for years to come. Issue 73, April 2004.more
Pointer – Elephant start-up
Eni has announced the start of production from the Elephant field in Block NC-174. Issue 72, March 2004.more
Woodside teams up with Repsol
Woodside Energy, Repsol YPF and Hellenic Petroleum have finalised an exploration and production sharing agreement with National Oil Corporation (NOC) for five exploration blocks in the onshore Sirte Basin in northern Libya and one in the onshore Murzuk Basin in western Libya. Issue 70, January 2004.more
Qadhafi’s redemption will make Tripoli a boom town for 2004
Libya’s early Christmas gift for US President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was welcomed by business, as a psychological breakthrough if not the major geopolitical event it first seemed as Western spinmeisters got to work. As Libya comes in from the cold, even more executives will be packing their bags for Tripoli in 2004, where a new Corinthia Hotel now towers alongside the Fatah Tower representing the commercial potentials (and a more comfortable stay) of a fast-changing Jamahiriya (State of the Masses). Issue 70, January 2004.more
Spain’s Red Eléctrica Internacional has signed a consultancy contract with the General Electricity Company of Libya (Gecol) to improve and develop the local transmission system. Issue 68, November 2003.more
Japanese institutions back post-sanctions push
Tokyo is aiming to position Japanese companies to win post-sanctions engineering contracts through a potential $2.5bn buyer credit package from its two official export support agencies. Issue 68, November 2003.more
Corporates sniff around post-sanctions Libya
Libya has paid billions of dollars to close the Lockerbie chapter of its troubled history once and for all. But as ever in pariah state politics, achieving closure may still prove elusive, writes James Gavin. Issue 67, October 2003.more
Spaniards win Libyan HV contract
Spanish engineering company Abengoa and construction company ACS have won the first public contract awarded by the Libyan government since UN sanctions were formally lifted. Issue 67, October 2003.more
Pointers – NOC’s Ukrainian tie-up; Indonesian barter deal
The Lockerbie affair may finally be consigned to history – although never bet against new twists emerging in that convoluted saga – but Libya still faces the spectre of sanctions as global struggles are fought out far beyond North Africa. The US State Department has announced that the Bush administration is examining an exploration and production-sharing contract signed between Germany’s RWE and Libya’s National Oil Corporation to see if it contravenes the 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA). Issue 66, September 2003.more
Utilities liberalisation beckons once more for Algeria and Morocco
The winds of power sector liberalisation are blowing once more in the Maghreb, with Algeria and Morocco planning to restructure their utilities bringing an end to monopolies and eventually introducing a market in which electricity can be traded, write Fatima Mossadeq in Casablanca, Mohammed Yahiaoui in Algiers and Jon Marks. Issue 65, August 2003.more
Austria’s OMV and Spain’s Repsol YPF have been granted exploration rights in the Kufra, Sirte and Murzuk basins, in a sign of National Oil Corporation’s renewed haste to advance its concession award programme. Under the contracts signed in late May, the OMV-Repsol consortium will carry out seismic surveys and drill wells in the 76,700km2 permit area. Issue 63, June 2003.more
Libyan oil sector paralysed by inaction at the top
There have been signs of a Lockerbie breakthrough, signalling a definitive end to sanctions, and upbeat noises about E&P prospects from NOC. However projects remain on hold due to decision-making paralysis at the top, writes Jonathan Bearman, recently in Tripoli. Issue 61, April 2003. more
North Africa adapts to fast-changing European gas markets
A new generation of natural gas developments in Algeria, Egypt and Libya could give North Africa a leading role in Europe’s liberalised energy industry. The EU is a key market but Algeria is looking to trans-Atlantic markets as well, write James Gavin and Jon Marks. Issue 59, February 2003.more
Libya seeks to shed pariah status with a profitable US normalisation
After 9/11, Libya was quick to remind the West it was the first state to indict Osama Bin Laden, and that a more moderate policy, based on national interest not revolution, now prevailed in Qadhafi’s Jamahiriya. There is a chance that this might finally lead to normalisation with the USA, writes Jon Marks, recently in Tripoli and Washington. Issue 58, January 2003. more
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