Ahead of an anticipated 2025 oil and gas licensing round, Libya is looking to attract foreign investment to its onshore exploration prospects and production infrastructure. Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek, newly-appointed Minister of Oil&Gas of Libya, will deliver a keynote address at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference in Cape Town, outlining the development agenda of one of Africa’s most historic oil producers.  

Libya has set a target to produce two million barrels of oil and four billion cubic feet of natural gas per day within the next three to five years. To achieve this goal, the country is investing between $17 and $18 billion to develop 45 greenfield and brownfield projects, coupled with ongoing exploration campaigns and a recent onshore gas discovery by Sirte Oil. In addition, Libya is preparing to launch an oil and gas licensing round in the Murzuq, Ghadames and Sirte basins in early-2025 and has already attracted interest from more than 30 companies in its marginal assets alone. Appointed as Minister of Oil&Gas in April 2024, Dr. Abdulsadek contributes over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas sector and is set to guide Libya on its path to increased production, having previously served as the CEO of local service provider Murzuq Oil Services and Member of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) Board of Directors for Exploration.  

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. 

To support gas production and eliminate routine flaring, Libya is launching a robust gas monetization drive. In 2023, NOC and Italian multinational Eni signed an $8-billion gas production deal to develop two offshore gas fields – Structures A&E – with a view to producing 750 million cubic feet of gas per day. The project represents the first major offshore development in Libya in more than two decades and is set to increase gas supply to domestic and European markets when it comes online in 2026. A consortium comprising Eni, France’s TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is also developing and exploring oil and gas fields in the NC-7 block in the Ghadames Basin, targeting 2.7 trillion cubic feet of gas to boost domestic production. Finally, Libya is spearheading 12 new projects to reduce and convert flared gas to green ammonia and power for export, and is currently seeking technical and financial partners to advance decarbonization initiatives.   

“As one of the most historic producers in Africa, Libya is revamping its upstream sector by targeting untapped gas supplies to take advantage of rising gas demand in nearby-Europe, coupled with ongoing exploration campaigns and a 2025 bid round that invites new participants. Minister Abdulsadek is already demonstrating a resolute commitment to showcasing a ‘New Libya’ to the international energy community through his participation at this year’s AEW conference,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.  

Ongoing exploration and development opportunities in the continent’s mature markets – including Libya – will be a key focus of the upcoming AEW: Invest in African Energy conference taking place on November 4-8. With the confirmation of Minister Dr. Abdulsadek, the event is expected to feature a high-level delegation of Libyan policymakers and business leaders seeking to connect with global investors and technology and service providers and unlock Libya’s investment prospects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

RobotPlusPlus (www.RobotPlusPlus.com), an engineering-led company that develops working-at-height robots, launched its HighMate C20 Cargo Hold Cleaning Robot this week with live demonstrations at the SMM 2024 conference in Hamburg, Germany. The robot cleaner aims to bring reliability and efficiency to the cargo hold cleaning operations, by allowing safe deployment in most sea conditions, reaching up to 95% of the holds surface and with a more consistent and powerful system, all while protecting seafarers from the dangers of manual cleaning at heights.

At SMM 2024, RobotPlusPlus is displaying the HighMate C20 in front of tens of thousand visitors at the maritime industry’s leading global trade fair. From booth B8-128, RobotPlusPlus is demonstrating how the HighMate C20’s multi-purpose design concept offers unique solutions for ships of all kinds as well as other solutions for the ship building and ship repair industry. Moreover, our strategic partner from Germany MontiPower (B5-323) (www.MontiPower.com) will be presenting the co-developed robotic HighMate Prepper solution for the welding, inspection and bristle blasting.

The HighMate C20’s five powerful 500-bar high-pressure nozzles clean at 1-meter width at a coverage rate of 95%. Its maximum working pressure is equal to 100 times the pressure of a traditional fire hose and can clean up to 500 square meters per hour.

The robot is remarkably easy to operate; most seafarers can learn basic functions of the HighMate C20 in 10 minutes or less. In launching the HighMate C20 at SMM, RobotPlusPlus hopes to attract like-minded companies that contribute to improving maritime shipping worldwide.

“We’re incredibly excited to launch the C20 at SMM, in front of global leaders from the maritime industry,” said Hua-yang Xu, founder and CEO at RobotPlusPlus. “We relish the opportunity at this distinguished trade conference to also develop new partners from across the world. At RobotPlusPlus, we’ve always been committed to innovation in the maritime industry and enjoy collaborating with like-minded partners in this space.”

Global distributors interested in partnering with RobotPlusPlus are invited to email sales@robotplusplus.com for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RobotPlusPlus.

Follow RobotPlusPlus on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3XvPHI7
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4cSr3FK
TikTok: https://apo-opa.co/4cUZHiz

About RobotPlusPlus: 
RobotPlusPlus is an engineering-led company developing working-at-height robots to provide efficient and environmentally friendly solutions while guaranteeing a safer workplace. We combine robotics, AI, and RaaS to develop autonomous products.

RobotPlusPlus robots have cleaned approximately 1 million square meters, making us the marine industry’s largest global provider of working at-height robots.

www.RobotPlusPlus.com

Africa is expected to more than double its share in the global natural gas market by 2050 while increasing its renewable energy capacity four-fold by 2030. Concurrently, the continent’s greenfield spending will boom in the coming decade, reaching $37 billion by 2025 and $50 billion by 2030. This growth underscores both the potential of the continent’s energy market and the commitment of companies to maximize its resources.  

On the back of this growth, the continent’s largest energy event – African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy – announces the nominees for this year’s award ceremony. Taking place during the event week from November 4-8, the award ceremony recognizes the companies who are spearheading the development, innovation and growth of Africa’s energy industry.

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.

ESG Leader of the Year

With ESG principles at the forefront of Africa’s natural resource development, this award recognizes champions who protect and promote local populations while ensuring fair and safe operations. It honors outstanding achievements and leadership in embedding sustainability principles and responsible business practices within the sector, showcasing a commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and robust corporate governance. The nominees are:

TotalEnergies
bp
Sonangol
SLB

Service Provider of the Year

The Service Provider of the Year award celebrates an exceptional service provider that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and innovation in supporting Africa’s energy industry. The award honors service providers who have demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities, offering tailored solutions that drive efficiency, productivity and sustainability in the energy sector. The nominees are:

Africa Global Logistics
NOV
Bell Oil and Gas
Technip Energies

Deal of the Year

The Deal of the Year award recognizes the most transformative and impactful deal in the energy sector ­– honoring excellence in negotiation, strategic alignment, innovation and collaboration ­– and celebrates deals that drive advancements in energy and economic growth. The nominees are:

Renaissance Africa: SPDC acquisition in Nigeria
Gabon Oil Company: Assala Energy acquisition in Gabon
Oando PLC: AGIP acquisition in Nigeria
Etu Energias acquisition of Galp Energias’ offshore blocks in Angola

Local Content Champion of the Year

This award celebrates an organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication and success in promoting and implementing local content initiatives in Africa’s energy sector. The award recognizes champions who have gone above and beyond to ensure that the benefits of the energy industry are shared equitably, fostering inclusive growth and prosperity across the continent. The nominees are:

Africa Global Logistics
McDermott
Perenco
EG LNG
Technip Energies

Reformer and Change-Maker of the Year

This esteemed award honors a government or public sector entity that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to reforming the energy sector in Africa. It recognizes the efforts of governments and public sector institutions that have driven change, fostering an enabling environment for energy growth, economic development and social progress. The nominees are:

South African National Energy Development Institute
Ministry of Hydrocarbons, Republic of the Congo
Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil&Gas, Angola
Ministry of Mines and Energy, Namibia
Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Egypt

E&P Leader of the Year

Recognizing outstanding leadership and innovation in upstream exploration and production, this award honors individuals driving new production and discoveries in Africa’s energy sector. Nominees demonstrate exceptional vision and operational excellence in unlocking the continent’s hydrocarbon potential. The nominees are:

Galp
Woodside Energy
Eni
ExxonMobil

Gas Monetization Award

This award recognizes companies and projects revolutionizing gas monetization in Africa to bridge the energy poverty gap. It honors innovative strategies and successful commercialization efforts that demonstrate outstanding leadership in maximizing the value of gas resources. The nominees are:

Congo LNG
Perenco
EG LNG
NLNG
Sonatrach

Geoscience and Data Management Project of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding projects that have demonstrated excellence in geoscience and data management, contributing significantly to the advancement of Africa’s energy sector. The award honors projects that have set new standards in subsurface understanding, data-driven decision making and digital transformation, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous energy future in Africa. The nominees are:

TGS/PGS
Shearwater
Viridien – formerly CGG

The AEW: Invest in African Energy Award winners will be announced during this year’s award ceremony. The event aims to celebrate the ongoing contributions by energy companies, investors and individuals to driving projects forward and unlocking long-term benefits for African countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

A 32-year-old police officer became the first patient to receive life-transforming surgery on board Mercy Ships’ hospital ship (www.MercyShips.org) yesterday as the vessel returned to Sierra Leone to deliver a further 1,400-plus surgeries over the next 10 months.

Father-of-one, Sahr, had been suffering since the age of 20 from a hernia that had grown to the size of a large avocado. It left him living in daily pain and struggling to eat, due to the discomfort it caused.

Sahr said: “I think this problem was caused by the hard work I was doing when I was farming,” he said remembering his younger days before he became a police officer in a Western Area Rural District about 30 miles outside Freetown.

Sahr said: “I was always complaining of sickness.” He could not sit for long without feeling pain and had to learn to push his hernia back inside his stomach to avoid suffering.

Nervous of medical interventions, the dedicated police officer was on duty when he learned of the Global Mercy™ returning to deliver free surgeries and training. The patient registration team paid a courtesy visit to the commanding officer at his police station. When the registration information was shared on their police forum, he decided to register in the hope he could receive the help he needed.

Surgeon volunteer from the USA, Dr Timothy Burandt, who would eventually operate on Sahr said: “Hernias are basically a hole in your abdominal wall, and some of your organs can be forced through that hole and that hurts. It also can interrupt the digestive system because those organs carry food and fluid through your body.

“The hernias that we see in Africa tend to be larger and more complex because patients don’t have an opportunity to seek care and see doctors earlier on.”

Dr Burandt explained: “Ultimately this would get larger and more painful. It would get large enough and a piece of bowel would come through there, potentially twist on itself, strangle, and he could die from that.”

But thanks to safe surgery, Sahr’s hope of a better life devoid of pain was ignited after about an hour in the operating room on board.

“He will not have to think about this again. The chances of him having a recurrence are infinitesimally small. He can … get back to being a father and a brother and a son and his normal life,” Dr. Burandt shared.

The Global Mercy was invited to extend her stay in Freetown by His Excellency, Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone, after performing 1,979 life-changing surgeries for 1,728 patients and training 145 healthcare professionals between August 2023 and June 2024. In response to the invitation, the world’s largest purpose-built hospital ship docked back in Freetown on August 14, 2024.

Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, was amongst 300 distinguished guests and partners who welcomed the hospital ship back into Freetown last week.

Her Excellency, Dr. Bio, said: “Beyond providing direct medical care, Mercy Ships has focused on empowering civil union healthcare professionals on board the Global Mercy. They have the privilege of training 145 individuals, including residents in surgery and anesthesia, surgical and operating room nurses, nurse anesthesia providers and psychotherapists. This investment in local talent is crucial for the enhancement of the capacity of our health care system.”

“Together, we are building a future where every person has the opportunity to live healthier and more fulfilling lives. Here is to our shared vision, to the lives we will continue to change, and to the enduring impact and our collective effort that we will provide for our great nation. May God Bless you all.”

Dr. Sandra Lako, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone, explained that despite the efforts of the government and the expanding surgical workforce, there is a huge unmet surgical need in Sierra Leone. 

She said: “And so together with the Government of Sierra Leone, we can partner and work together to achieve their goal of safe surgery for every person in Sierra Leone.”

More than 200 national volunteers have been trained to work on board and healthcare workers will receive ongoing mentoring.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

For more Information about Mercy Ships, contact:
Sophie Barnett
Mercy Ships International PR Manager
international.media@mercyships.org

About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.   

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit www.MercyShips.org and follow @ MercyShips on social media.