Search results

The introduction of fresh regulations for Sonatrach’s tendering process could release a large backlog of projects at the company within weeks.

Tower Resources subsidiary Neptune Petroleum has plugged and abandoned a second well, Avivi-1, on its Block 5 at the northern end of the Albertine Graben, and is debating whether to enter the third exploration period.

São Tomé e Príncipe has launched the bidding process for seven of the 19 oil blocks in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

ANGOLA: Total contract for FMC; CONGO-B: Non-commercial well on La Noumbi; EGYPT: Successful test of Circle’s Al-Amir SE-5 well; EGYPT: Two finds for Dana Gas; GABON: M&P confirms new play in Onal licence; GUINEA: Repsol out?; TUNISIA: Petroceltic to drill on Ksar Hadada; DANA PETROLEUM: Egypt drilling plans; SAN LEON ENERGY: Buying Island Oil & Gas

Uncertainty over the regulatory framework has slowed oil and gas exploration for several years, but with new legislation in place the pace is finally picking up, writes Thalia Griffiths, recently in Johannesburg

The Brazzaville government has received some reward for the closure in 2008 of Congolaise de Trading (Cotrade), the controversial marketing arm of parastatal Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) that was chaired by the president’s son, Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso. Cotrade’s closure came after pressure from the International Monetary Fund and, on 28 January, the World Bank and IMF announced an agreement that will allow Republic of Congo to reduce its external debt by $1.9bn and benefit from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

Hyperdynamics has completed the acquisition of 10,000km of 2D seismic over its offshore exploration acreage.

ANGOLA: Eni in double discovery; EGYPT: Egas block awards signed; EGYPT: Gas find on West El Burullus; EGYPT: Gas find for Melrose; EGYPT: Apache announces Western Desert extension; EQUATORIAL GUINEA: CNOOC drilling; TUNISIA: New find for OMV

Hyperdynamics has completed the acquisition of 10,000km of 2D seismic over its offshore exploration acreage. The survey was carried out by Norway’s Bergen Oilfield Services. Hyperdynamics said new partners Dana Petroleum and Repsol were expected to contribute their pro rata shares of the $11m total cost, although Repsol has yet to decide on its farm-in. Repsol has extended its letter of intent to 11 March, the date set out in Hyperdynamics’ September 2009 memorandum of understanding with the government for ratification of its production-sharing contract.

The latest chapter in the long-running saga of Zambia’s oil procurement and refining problems involves the selection of an international firm to supply and deliver 1.44m tonnes of commingled petroleum feedstock in cargo lots of 60,000-90,000 tonnes for the 2010/11 period.

Houston-based ERHC Energy says the national petroleum agency ANP-STP has granted it 100% in blocks 4 and 11 of the islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone, following its exercise of preferential rights.

DOMINION PETROLEUM: Tanzania farm-out to M&P; GULF KEYSTONE: BG buys Algeria stake

Lundin affiliate Africa Oil Corporation has further expanded its Kenyan holdings by signing an agreement with Platform Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alberta Oilsands, to take over Platform’s 100% interest in blocks 12A and 13T.

Failure to resolve Tema Oil Refinery’s payment defaults is dragging down Ghana’s reputation as an African borrower of choice, and adds to the cost of oil imports, write Jon Marks and Kevin Godier

Canada’s Centric Energy has signed a production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block 10BA around the northern half of Lake Turkana in Rift Valley Province.