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Already a partner in exploration licences operated by Repsol YPF and Gazprom, ambitious Italian utility Enel has bought into Petroceltic International’s gas-prone Isarène permit, which includes the Aïn Tsila gas condensate discovery and potential natural gas reserves to supply its European markets.

NAMIBIA: Eco Atlantic lists in Windhoek; SOUTH AFRICA: Ex-Burren team win exploration right

CGG has signed a multi-client data agreement with the Instituto Nacional de Petroleo (INP) following a competitive tender process held in 2016. CGG will acquire a new multi-client survey of up to 40,000km² of 3D data over the Beira High in the Zambezi Delta, covering blocks Z5-C and Z5-D and surrounding open acreage. Marine gravity and magnetic data will be acquired simultaneously with the seismic to accelerate regional interpretation.

Norway’s TGS has started acquisition of a 3D multi-client seismic survey covering 2,022km2 offshore Benin, which has seen an upturn in exploration activity in recent months. The BR-13 survey will be TGS’ second 3D survey in Benin, and aims to build upon current subsurface knowledge and provide improved imaging of deep Cretaceous and Tertiary strata. The seismic is being acquired by the BGP Prospector, with a ten-streamer configuration. Data processing will be performed by TGS and final data will be available to clients from Q3 2014. The survey is supported by industry funding.

Frank Timis’ African Petroleum Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China National Petroleum Corporation subsidiary PetroChina International Investment Company.

Savannah Petroleum has announced a third discovery in the Agadem Rift Basin and is exercising an option for a fourth well. The Kunama-1 well in the R3 portion of the R3/R4 PSC Area was drilled to a total depth of 2,460 metres and encountered nine metres of oil-bearing reservoir sandstones in the primary Eocene Sokor Alternances objective. The well is being suspended for future re-entry.

Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (Onhym) is playing down reports of an offshore discovery by Genel Energy with the Sidi Moussa 1 well. Partner San Leon Energy on 20 October said the well had reached a total depth of 2,825 metres and encountered oil during drilling operations. Onhym head Amina Benkhadra told African Energy oil traces had been found in secondary layers, but more work was needed to confirm a significant find. She said Onhym was putting in place plans to partner international oil companies if one of the many companies exploring in Morocco made a discovery.

Sonatrach signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil on 19 April to examine the potential to develop the Al-Nasiriya oil field. Sonatrach could also provide a range of expertise in the upstream, pipeline construction and downstream infrastructure, according to agreements signed with Sonatrach head Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour during a visit to Algiers by ministry technical director Dhia Kamar Safar.

Aminex has farmed out a 12.5% interest in the planned Likonde-1 well on the Ruvuma licence to Solo Oil, whose executive chairman is Lonrho’s David Lenigas.

With the dust settling after Congo’s tumultuous election, which was widely believed to have been rigged by the ruling party, upstream activity is beginning in earnest, but for new arrivals the implications of the death of a key presidential adviser may be profound

The scramble for oil has created some surprising alliances between local politicians and international oil companies, drawing attention to the gap between what may be unethical and what is illegal, writes Adrian J Browne

The National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) has released the data package for its 2020 licensing round covering onshore blocks in the Lower Congo and Kwanza basins. Companies can express interest via the ANPG website, www.anpg.co.ao.A formal launch had been planned for the end of May but ANPG said on 28 May that “some adjustments” were necessary due to the coronavirus pandemic, though the agency said it wanted to keep to its previously announced bidding schedules.

Kosmos Energy has announced a “significant, play-opening gas discovery” with the Tortue-1 exploration well in offshore Block C-8. The well, drilled in 2,700 metres of water to test the Tortue West prospect which forms part of the Greater Tortue Complex, intersected 107 metres of net hydrocarbon pay. A single gas pool was encountered in the primary Lower Cenomanian objective, comprised of three high-quality reservoirs totalling 88 metres in thickness over a gross hydrocarbon bearing interval of 161 metres.

The Institute of National Petroleum (INP) will launch its fifth licensing round in London on 23 October. The round will offer 15 blocks, of which three are located in the deep-water Rovuma Basin, outboard from the existing licensed blocks. Another two are located in the offshore Angoche area, and six in the offshore Zambezi Delta. Onshore, three blocks are on offer around the Pande-Temane concession, and one in the Palmeira area in southern Mozambique, immediately north of Maputo. The government is keen to increase exploration after the success of drilling in the Rovuma Basin, where Eni and Anadarko plan a major liquefied natural gas development.

Independent oil explorer Petrel Resources is diversifying out of Iraq and into Ghana, where it expects ratification of an exploration block in the Tano Basin within months, writes John Hamilton