Search results

DRC/ZAMBIA: Power supply to copper mines restored; EGYPT: Bids for nuclear consultancy; UGANDA: Nuclear bill passed

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Brazilians push for biofuels projects; EGYPT: USTDA grant for petrochems; MOROCCO: Samir financing

The race for a stake in the Abu Qir gas field, plans for a second LNG train at Damietta and fresh investment from Italy show that Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmy’s willingness to negotiate higher prices for gas sold locally has won Egypt renewed favour with IOCs – but the price to pay is a growing subsidies bill, writes Nadine Marroushi.

CityView to work with local operator; PA completes MPS farm-in; Dry well on WEEM; Noble spuds Benita appraisal; Chinese partners; New reconnaissance licence for Czechs; Kunene well spuds; Key teams up with Pancontinental; Tower Block 5 drilling plans

ANGOLA: Block 15/06 find; ANGOLA: SeaBird contract; REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Moho-Bilondo starts up; EGYPT: Melrose record production from its acreage; GAMBIA: GB Energy pulls out; LIBYA: Hess to acquire 2D seismic; MADAGASCAR: Seismic shoot; MAURITANIA: Banda NW sidetrack hits oil and gas; TUNISIA: Sud Remada drilling success

Germany’s RWE Dea has signed a gas sales agreement with Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (Egas) to deliver natural gas to the domestic market from its North Idku offshore concession in the Nile Delta.

Every country along the North African littoral from Morocco to Egypt has got at least one refinery project in planning or on the go.

London-based Invensys Process Systems has joined the local Engineering for the Petroleum & Process Industries (Enppi) and Egyptian Natural Gas Company (Gasco) in a joint venture to create Invensys Process System Egypt.

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has shortlisted two Chinese companies for the 300MW Morupule power plant expansion, badly needed to reduce the country’s dependence on imports from South Africa. Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Minister Ponatshego Kedikilwe said the government was also reviewing several proposals from independent power producers. The Morupule expansion should come on stream in 2011. Speaking at a briefing for business representatives on the power crisis, Kedikilwe said BPC had entered into a barter arrangement with a power station in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, for BPC to supply coal in return for power.

BOTSWANA: BPC seeks alternatives to Eskom supply; EGYPT: Lahmeyer gets consultancy order for Assiut HPP; ETHIOPIA: Gilgel Gibe 3 turbines out to bid; MOROCCO: EOIs sought for Abdelmoumen STEP; NIGERIA: Aqua Energy to build BOT hydro in Kano; SOUTH AFRICA: ABB wins $21m Eskom order

EGYPT: EIB loan will help launch Egyptian Refining Co project; UGANDA: New oil and gas policy; TANZANIA: Heads roll over power scandal

IOCs are keen to book reserves so more export LNG capacity can be built, but Egypt and other governments are increasingly concerned to add value by using gas at home.

BP new find on Block 31; Pazflor topsides contract for KBR; Apache find in Western Desert; Circle farms into NW Gemsa; Gulf of Suez farm-in opportunity; Rig and vessel contracts; EPSA-4 block signed by RWE Dea; Sasol awards offshore drilling contract; Block 1711 drilling

Egypt plans to launch a tender later this month for offers to build its first nuclear reactor, the official MENA news agency reported. “The nuclear energy agency will in February launch an international tender for offers to build Egypt’s first nuclear reactor worth $1.5 to $1.8bn,” MENA said. “The type of reactor and its constructor will be chosen according to international safety standards and reputation as well as costs,” MENA said. “The offer is open to all countries.” The reactor is expected to be built at Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast, west of the port of Alexandria.

AMINEX: Egypt, Tanzania drilling plans; STERLING: Board changes