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The Mauritanian government gave an elevated estimate of over 50tcf of gas reserves at the offshore BirAllah field the day before operator BP confirmed, on 12 October, that it had signed an exploration and production-sharing contract (PSC) for the acreage.

Nigeria’s recently launched Energy Transition Plan aims to make Abuja’s target of net zero emissions by 2060 a reality, but the debt-for-climate deal proposed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo could be even more important in relieving more immediate economic pressures – if creditors agree to provide the funds requested for a new deal that promotes gas as the key ‘transition fuel’.

Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power has signed a memorandum of understanding with Société Nationale d’Electricité du Sénégal (Senelec) to develop a 160MW combined cycle gas-turbine (CCGT) plant power plant in Cap des Biches.

The Indian government and parastatals are discussing taking liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Algeria and Angola under long-term supply agreements in response to the energy crisis. The African countries are not alone, as New Delhi has also said it has reached out to other big producers including the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as the government seeks to reassure anxious markets.

Norway’s DNO has bought Mondoil Enterprises from United Arab Emirates-based RAK Petroleum. Mondoil Enterprises holds a 33.3% stake in Foxtrot International, which has interests in offshore gas and associated liquids in Côte d'Ivoire.

Shares in Geregu Power started trading on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on 5 October, becoming the first electricity generating company (genco) to be listed on the bourse’s main board. The company joined the market via a direct listing, with 2.5bn shares priced at ₦100 each, valuing the company at ₦250bn ($569m).

US supermajor Chevron has confirmed its purchase of an 80% working interest in a highly prospective block offshore Namibia, in a move that affirms the Orange Basin’s status as one of the world’s most exciting gas frontiers – underlined by TotalEnergies’ latest view that its nearby Venus well points to a possibly giant discovery.

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange-listed NewMed Energy’s proposed acquisition of London-listed Capricorn Energy has pushed aside a planned deal with Tullow Oil in favour of a merger that intensifies Israel’s involvement in the Egyptian upstream sector and could represent another important eastern Mediterranean gas play.

Eni’s Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant began production of LNG on 2 October, African Energy understands from industry sources. The cargo – Mozambique and Coral Sul’s first liquefied natural gas exports – will be collected by the 174,000m3 BW Lesmes tanker, owned by Singapore-headquartered BW Group.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has terminated a contract with China’s Poly-GCL Petroleum Group Holding (Poly-GCL), citing a lack of progress in developing the Calub and Hilala gas fields and its failure to meet conditions set the government earlier this year.

Algeria underlined its commitment to supplying increased volumes of gas to Italy, when Sonatrach president director-general Toufik Hakkar said on 21 September that deliveries would rise by around 13% this year to 25.2bcm.

Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and Filipe Nyusi on 20 September announced agreements to enhance defence and hydrocarbon co-operation between Tanzania and Mozambique.

A typhoon in Qidong, China on 15 September unmoored the recently-completed floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for phase one of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) development. The vessel will process gas from four ultra-deep-water wells at the export project’s 2.45m t/yr first phase.

Mozambique’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are expected to be dispatched “on or around” 14 October, shipping industry publication Trade Winds said on 21 September citing sources working with Eni’s Coral Sul 3.4m t/yr floating liquid natural gas (FLNG) plant. The Rome-headquartered supermajor is said to be moving towards ordering a second FLNG vessel.

An early September judgement confirming the Eastern Cape High Court’s rejection of Shell’s attempt to conduct seismic surveys along South Africa’s eastern coast will leave the government – and oil companies – with plenty of food for thought, as South Africa and many other countries look to produce more hydrocarbons in sensitive environments, James Gavin writes.