Gabon’s Minister of Petroleum and OPEC 2024 President Marcel Abéké has been confirmed to speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum (https://apo-opa.co/499lHEp) in Paris this May, accompanied by a Gabonese delegation. A dedicated country spotlight – “Invest in Gabon” – will take place during the forum, outlining key investment opportunities within one of Africa’s most mature, yet fastest-growing oil and gas markets.  

Appointed last September, Minister Abéké, along with Gabon Oil Company (GOC), has been leading efforts to increase Gabon’s oil production (https://apo-opa.co/3IOm1O1) on the back of accelerated on- and offshore exploration and the redevelopment of mature and marginal fields – already resulting in success. Earlier this month, BW Energy fast-tracked first oil production from the Hibiscus South Field just five months after discovery – as part of its broader Hibiscus / Ruche Phase 1 development – while GOC acquired the Gabonese assets of Assala Energy last February, representing its focus on optimizing mature fields and evolution into a more competitive upstream player. 

IAE 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/49krKXM) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The “Invest in Gabon” session will shed light on the country’s most dynamic opportunities – from frontier exploration to EOR techniques to downstream industry – which capitalize on the flurry of recent activity from IOCs. Upstream, Perenco is conducting appraisal drilling near its Hylia South West discovery targeting additional reserves, while VAALCO Energy and TotalEnergies are prioritizing near-field exploration and CNOOC is leading wildcat drilling in Gabon’s deep offshore. Downstream, Perenco is developing the $1-billion Cap Lopez LNG terminal – set to transform Gabon into a net LNG exporter – along with a gas-fired power plant in Mayumba, creating new opportunities for gas processing, transport and value-added industries. 

“Gabon is revitalizing its energy industry in all directions, from optimizing its mature fields to yielding new offshore discoveries to monetizing its long-neglected gas resources. Through a dedicated country session, the forum will unpack the government’s revitalized resource development strategy and current prospects for private sector participation. The presence of Minister Abéké and the Gabonese delegation affirms the view of IAE 2024 as the premier platform to access the global investment community,” says Sandra Jeque, Event&Project Director of Energy Capital&Power, IAE 2024 organizers. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

Maixent Raoul Ominga, Managing Director of Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) – the national oil company (NOC) of the Republic of Congo – will participate as a speaker at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference in Cape Town this November.  

As the nation seeks to ramp up oil production to 500,000 barrels per day and accelerate gas exploration and production activities, SNPC is seeking strategic partnerships and capital and technology injections to enhance its exploration, production and distribution capabilities. At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, the NOC will showcase the country’s major investment opportunities, targeting improved infrastructure, sustainable practices and the development of local talent, with a view to stabilizing and boosting long-term oil and gas production.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Last November, SNPC partnered with independent hydrocarbon producer Perenco to complete an offshore 3D seismic acquisition campaign targeting the Tchibouela II, Tchendo II, Marine XXVIII and Emeraude permits. Data from the campaign is currently undergoing processing and is expected to identify future drilling targets and enhance exploration success.

Advancing the Republic of Congo’s gas export ambitions, Eni shipped first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from its Tango FLNG facility last month, which is currently headed to the Piombino regasification terminal in Italy and scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks. This achievement follows the signing of a contract last September by SPNC, Eni Congo, Lukoil, and Eni SPA for the purchase and sale of LNG. With a storage capacity exceeding 180,000 m³ of LNG and 45,000 m³ of LPG, Tango FLNG represents a significant asset in the nation’s energy portfolio. The facility is part of Eni’s broader $5-billion Congo LNG development and aims to reach an initial annual capacity of 600,000 tons, scaling up to 2.4 million tons by 2025.

Targeting gas resources within the Marine XII concession, the Congo LNG development aligns with the Republic of Congo’s Gas Master Plan launched in 2021 and reflects the country’s commitment to optimizing its gas reserves for economic growth and energy security. The project is being developed in two phases – with a second FLNG unit in the works – and is slated to achieve a plateau gas liquefaction capacity of 4.5 billion cubic meters per year within two years.

Amid these developments, SNPC has also undertaken initiatives to address sustainability. SNPC launched its Eco Zamba initiative at the Three Basins Summit in Brazzaville last October, aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of oil production. Supported by the government, the initiative focuses on restoring 50,000 hectares of savannah on the Batéké Plateaux, affirming the NOC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and more sustainable practices.

“SNPC is playing a vital role in shaping Congo’s energy landscape, from partnering with IOCs to drive upstream exploration to signing LNG trade deals. New partnerships and investment will be crucial to the Republic of Congo achieving its goal of increased oil output and accelerated gas exploration and production. AEW 2024 serves as the ideal platform for the country’s leadership to forge new partnerships and sign deals to advance the African energy industry,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

AEW 2024 serves as a nexus for global leaders, stakeholders, governments and energy companies to converge, discussing Africa’s burgeoning projects, strengthening partnerships, and finalizing new deals. With its comprehensive program, the conference will showcase Africa’s diverse energy industry, providing invaluable insights and opportunities for all participants. For those eager to engage and contribute to Africa’s energy evolution, visit www.AECWeek.com to learn more about how you can participate.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

With prior drilling having confirmed deepwater accumulations, Benin is seeking to revive its exploration and production sector to reveal additional oil and gas resources. The West African nation is pursuing improved energy security and reduced reliance on energy imports from neighboring countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast. Opportunities to invest in Benin’s hydrocarbon sector – along with neighboring Togo and Liberia – will be unpacked in a regional spotlight session at the upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum in Paris.

In December 2023, Akkrake Petroleum signed a PSC for a 76% operated interest in the Block 1 Sèmè Field. The field is estimated to have produced 22 million barrels of oil to date and is considered a proven prospect with significant unexploited potential. The company plans to revitalize the block through a production system featuring a jack-up mobile production unit and a floating storage unit, and will submit a field development plan this year to kickstart exploration and production activities.

IAE 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/49krKXM) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Another critical development is the 110,000 barrel-per-day Niger-Benin pipeline, which is set to not only transform Niger into a major regional exporter, but also deliver much-needed crude oil resources to Benin’s Port of Sèmè. With first cargo expected to be lifted as early as next month, the regional pipeline will improve Benin’s energy access and generate new opportunities for energy storage, transport and industry, while driving intra-African trade and integration.

Meanwhile, Benin has emerged as an active solar hotspot, targeting 150 MW of installed solar generation capacity by 2026 and 300 MW by 2030. Last August, Japan’s Toyota Tsusho signed a public-private partnership with Société béninoise de production d’électricité to develop the 25 MW second phase of the Illoulofin solar PV plant, due to come online in 2024. Representing the first large-scale renewable energy plant construction project in West Africa by a Japanese company, the project paves the way for future collaboration between the local government and international investors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

Canon Europe (Canon-CNA.com) announces the release of a new free-of-charge firmware update for the EOS C500 Mark II, further enhancing the camera’s professional functionality.

The firmware update adds 12-bit Cinema RAW Light formats: LT (Light), ST (Standard) and HQ (High Quality), improving workflow flexibility and providing more options post-production. Previously made available for the EOS R5 C and EOS C70, this highly requested feature allows users to select a scalable range of internal RAW recording data rates that either further enhance the fidelity of the sensor output or reduce file sizes – all while maintaining the high quality 12-bit colour information.

The EOS C500 Mark II features a 5.9K full frame sensor, internal RAW recording, interchangeable lens mount and highly configurable modular design. The camera is a popular choice for television and cinematic productions due to its impressive image quality, extensive connectivity, and compact body. 

Aron Randhawa, Senior Product Specialist at Canon Europe, said: “Cinema RAW Light is continually evolving and has a clear advantage over heavily compressed formats, especially for colour grading and VFX pipelines. All three scalable new formats are 12-bit, even at higher frame rates, with no chroma subsampling, enabling cinematographers to unleash the full capability of their production camera.”

For more information about the Canon EOS C500 Mark II and the upcoming firmware update (release date end March 2024), please visit: https://apo-opa.co/3Vt8zXC

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://apo-opa.co/3SvVhrS) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

For more information: Canon-CNA.com