As the New Year kicks off this week, some of Africa’s oil and gas producers are looking forward to fast-tracking approved offshore exploration plans to counter falling production volumes and meet the increasing demand especially for natural…
Throughout 2019 Africa has led licensing round activity; looking forward to 2020 this is set to continue, however results of the recent rounds have had limited success in a global context.Eight licensing rounds are open or have closed in Africa…
Political instability, insecurity and marine boundary disputes pose some of the major challenges constraining progress of Africa's upstream offshore oil and gas exploration ambitions at a time when the continent expected to ramp up production from its deep and ultra deepwater investments…
Island nation Madagascar puts 44 blocks in the Morondava Basin up for grabs, detailing exploration and exploitation periods under production sharing contracts.In the framework of the development of Madagascar's oil and gas potential, the Malagasy…
A flurry of major gas discoveries in East Africa in 2012 shone a spotlight on the region. Four years later, while efforts to bring some of those resources to market via LNG developments are progressing, the exploration effort offshore appears to be in the doldrums…
Pura Vida Energy has taken over operatorship in the Ambilobe block, offshore Madagascar, east Africa, following the withdrawal of Sterling Energy from the license. The move means Pura Vida now also has 100% interest in the license and means additional strategic options will be available…
Sterling Energy UK has issued a notice of withdrawal from the Ambilobe block, offshore Madagascar to its joint venture partner Pura Vida Mauritius. Following the withdrawal, Sterling will cease to be the operator of the Ambilobe block…
Tullow Oil is eying exploration leads offshore Mauritania in order to fulfill a minimum work obligation of one well on the block before the second exploration phase runs out in November 2017. Image from Tullow…
Seismic vessels are the lifeblood of global offshore exploration efforts. Jeannie Stell searches for bright spots in the current global market of seismic vessel activity. The Sanco Sword. From Dolphin Geophysical…
Sterling Energy completed a 3D seismic survey of approximately 1100sq km over a high-graded portion of the Ambilobe Block offshore Madagascar. The acquisition was undertaken by CGG Services, on behalf of the Ambilobe joint venture partners…
London-based explorer Sterling Energy started a 1250sq km 3D seismic survey on the Ambilobe Block, offshore Madagascar. The acquisition is being undertaken by CGG Services, on behalf of the Ambilobe Block joint venture partners, and completion is expected within 45-50 days…
Gas has been found in great quantities offshore East Africa. What will be the challenges around getting it to shore? Alex Hunt takes a look. The East African coastline. Image from the GRID-Arendal Continental Shelf Programme…
As a result of recent offshore successes in Mozambique and Tanzania, the entire East Africa margin currently has the attention of the world’s new ventures teams, explorers and gas (LNG) buyers. What might happen next in this new hydrocarbon province…
OE spoke with experts from CGG and Ion Geophysical to ascertain where the next frontiers of future offshore oil and gas exploration will be located. These areas are certain to blossom over the next five years. Here’s how the experts answered…
Mumbai-based Essar Oil Ltd. announced the appointment of Manish Maheshwari as the new chief executive officer of the company’s exploration and production business. New CEO Manish Maheshwari. Photo from Essar…