Search results

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

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.

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

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

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.

AFRICA OIL: Newcomer plans IPO on newcomer Plus market; CANDAX: Non-exec chairman; GEOGLOBAL: Egyptian block rights handed over in India play

Perenco to supply gas to Kribi plant; OCI to build Sidi Krir project; Chinese commit to $90m rural electrification scheme; Steel company orders equipment; HCB resumes supply to Zesa; Arab fund provides Roseires funding

With financing agreed for the 1,300MW Abu Qir expansion, the developers have issued a series of tenders. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has announced plans to sign an agreement in February to part-finance the project.

Calgary-based TransGlobe Energy Corporation has agreed to acquire privately-held GHP Exploration for $40.2m to increase its stake in the West Gharib concession.

In addition to major state companies that have long been regarded as major Gulf investors abroad, such as Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (Kufpec), a number of Kuwait-based companies have been established in recent years with aspirations to become major E&P companies by investing in Africa and other emerging frontiers.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France is prepared to help Egypt develop civil nuclear power. “Egypt has considerable energy needs and it naturally envisages building nuclear reactors,” Sarkozy told Al-Ahram in a pre-visit interview.