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The second Sustainable Energy for All forum (SE4All) in New York on 18-21 May heard that rapid global population growth threatens to outstrip increases in energy access and will require much more investment if ambitious plans to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy to all by 2030 are to be met. A reassessment by SE4All has determined that $1-2trn/yr is needed to meet the initiative’s 2030 access targets, up from an original estimate of $400bn/yr, according to World Bank Global Practice on Energy and Extractive Industries senior director Anita Marangoly George.

Production has started at Afren’s Okoro-14 (Okoro Field Extension), increasing the total output from the Okoro region, offshore south-east Nigeria, to approximately 21,200 b/d. The well was drilled by Afren in conjunction with local partner Amni International Petroleum Development. The start of production comes just nine months after the discovery of reserves in the extended region.

BP has given Aberdeenshire-based Proserv a contract to design and manufacture a subsea sampling system for the PSVM field development on Block 31. Proserv said the PSVM scheme, with a water depth of 2,000 metres, was believed to be the deepest offshore project in Africa. The sampling system will be designed, manufactured and assembled in Scotland.

Cameroon may be the Central African Economic and Monetary Community’s largest economy, but it remains a political and commercial enigma. Decision-making can move at a glacial pace, in a political system dominated by President Paul Biya, whose apparent aspirations to be re-elected to a fourth seven-year term are a cause of concern, not least for a youthful population living in poor economic and social circumstances. However, progress has been made in delivering services, reflected in the energy sector by national utility Eneo, owned by UK private equity investor Actis, and Victoria Oil and Gas’s growing business selling gas to industry and consumers in commercial hub Douala.

Australia’s Jacka Resources has signed a production-sharing agreement (PSA) for the onshore Ruhuhu Block. The PSA for the 10,343 km2 block has an initial exploration period of four years, with a work programme including the acquisition of airborne gravity and magnetic data, the acquisition of a minimum 400km of seismic and one exploration well. Jacka was set up by former Hardman Resources executives, led by chairman Scott Spencer.

Ousted from Hyperdynamics, the Guinea player’s former chief

The last month has treated Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso kindly. His debt-stressed administration has struggled to cope with the impact of lower oil prices – only this year has the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seen early signs of stabilisation after a deep recession since 2015 – and criticism of poor governance. Brazzaville had run out of money to repay external debt – much of it contracted in pre-financing arrangements with China and Swiss oil trading houses – and had struggled to convince the IMF and other creditors it was sincere about meeting commitments to control its debt and spending.

German engineering and consulting company Lahmeyer International is now operating under the Tractebel brand as Tractebel Engineering GmbH, with effect from 31 January. The Lahmeyer Group was acquired in 2014 by Brussels-based Tractebel, part of energy and services group Engie, and the integration has been carried out over the last four years.

Following his controversial election victory in April, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan faces unprecedented pressure to tackle the policy failings and lapses of implementation that so many of his predecessors failed to address. Overcoming years of underdevelopment in the power sector,

Off-grid solar power company Jumeme has released a tender for the supply of solar photovoltaic panels, inverters, cables and metal for the construction of two 1MW solar plants, one in Sumbawanga in the Rukwa region and one in Mpanda in Katavi. The project is being funded by the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund. Submissions are due by 4 October 2018. Contact: [email protected]

With Khartoum’s finances in disarray following South Sudan’s independence (it has lost nearly three-quarters of its crude production, which was around 450,000 b/d in H1 2011), China has agreed to provide support.

Sonelgaz subsidiary Sociéte Algérienne de Production de l’Electricité has given Italy’s Ansaldo Energia a E170m contract to supply the 340MW Ain Djasser III open cycle gas turbine power plant in Batna. The contract was awarded following an international tender. Ansaldo also built the 260MW Ain Djasser I, commissioned in August 2009, and the 260MW Ain Djasser II. The new plant will comprise two 170MW gas turbines. Ansaldo already has a total installed capacity of more than 4,400MW in Algeria.

The African Development Bank (AfDB)-administered Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa has approved an $840,000 grant to support the introduction of renewable energy mini-grids. The project will be implemented by state utility Rwanda Energy Group and includes feasibility studies for 20 small hydropower sites along with a plan to encourage local private sector developers. “Given the low 5% rural access rate to electricity in Rwanda, combined with gradual population growth and significant untapped renewable energy potential, green mini-grids can provide robust and cost-effective energy access solutions,” said AfDB manager for environment and climate change Kurt Lonsway.

Militants claimed to have bombed a Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company pipeline supplying the Egbomoturu Flow Station in Bayelsa State

AIM-listed Europa Oil & Gas has announced the relinquishment of the Bir Lahlou and Hagunia licence areas in the disputed Western Sahara. The company said it wanted to concentrate on its joint venture with Kosmos Energy off the west coast of Ireland. The blocks were awarded to Europa in March 2006 following a licensing round organised by the Polisario Front liberation movement’s government-in- exile the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.