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Invictus Energy Ltd's 80%-owned Geo Associates (Pvt) Ltd has executed the Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement with the Republic of Zimbabwe

Geo Associates remains the operator and holder of Special Grant 4571 in Zimbabwe that contains the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery.

The occasion was marked by a formal signing ceremony in Harare, attended by senior representatives of Geo Associates and the Governement of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The PPSA was executed by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube; Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Engineer Polite Kambamura, and Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo on behalf of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Invictus CEO and managing director, Scott Macmillan, said, "Execution of the Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement represents a landmark milestone for both the Cabora Bassa Project and the broader development of Zimbabwe’s oil and gas industry.

“The PPSA establishes a robust, transparent and globally competitive framework that provides longterm certainty for all stakeholders, while creating a strong foundation to accelerate development
activities across the basin.

“Importantly, the agreement aligns the interests of Geo Associates, Invictus Energy, One Gas Resources, the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Mutapa Investment Fund in a genuine partnership structure designed to unlock the full value of the Cabora Bassa Project for our shareholders and the people of Zimbabwe.

“With this critical framework now in place, the Company is firmly focused on advancing the next phase of exploration, appraisal and development activities, including the upcoming high impact Musuma-1 exploration well.”

Kambamura said, “The execution of the PPSA marks a defining milestone in the advancement of Zimbabwe’s petroleum sector and reflects the significant progress made in establishing the foundations for a sustainable upstream oil and gas industry.

“The Cabora Bassa Project has already demonstrated the vast potential of the basin through the Mukuyu gas discovery, and the Government remains committed to supporting the continued exploration and appraisal of this strategic national resource.

“Through this agreement, Zimbabwe has established a framework that balances investor confidence with national participation and long-term value creation for the country.”

Shearwater Geoservices, in partnership with Harvex Geosolutions, has conducted a 3D marine seismic survey on behalf of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited and Matrix Energy on blocks OML 100 and OPL 2010 offshore Nigeria

The two-month survey acquired high-quality 3D data using a towed-streamer configuration with an undershoot. The SW Duchess served as the primary seismic vessel, with the SW Gallien acting as the dedicated source vessel. The programme builds on Shearwater’s growing footprint in Nigeria and follows an expanding sequence of work in the wider West African region.

'Shearwater is pleased to complete this 3D towed-streamer and undershoot survey offshore Nigeria, which continues our strong relationship with TotalEnergies and builds on a programme of work in Nigeria and across the region', said Shearwater CEO Irene Waage Basili. 

Previously, the company has been in partnership with  the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to begin fresh multi-client seismic project, including 3D survey. The high-end vessel SW Duchess was deployed for the project. 

“This project underscores the growing momentum of our multi-client business and our key role in supporting exploration across key global basins,” Basili had said. “By investing in high-quality seismic data, where we can both capture rapid returns and create longer-term value, we are enabling smarter decisions and helping to shape the future of energy security in West Africa and beyond.” 

Leading thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) manufacturer Strohm has won a contract to supply a 2,000m flowline for one of the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) projects offshore Egypt

The project is operated by Burullus Gas Company, a joint venture between EGAS, Shell and Petronas.

It represents Strohm’s first contract in Egypt as well as being the first use of this type of TCP solution in the region, according to the company.

The carbon fibre and PA12 polymer TCP flowline has a design pressure of 5,000psi and is qualified to DNV-ST-F119 standard. It will be installed by Oceaneering International at water depths of almost 600m, replacing an existing steel flowline. It will be installed using the highly flexible and cost effective horizontal lay method, enabling the use of a multi-purpose vessel and avoiding the need for specialised installation vessels

TCP is a strong, non-corrosive, spoolable, lightweight technology which is delivered in long lengths, resulting in a significant reduction of transportation and installation costs. it is installed using small vessels or subsea pallets, significantly reducing CO2 emissions, and is also 100% recyclable.

Norman Lentsch, Strohm’s business development manager for Africa, said, “This contract marks an important milestone for us as we enter the Egyptian market for the first time. We are proud to work with Oceaneering International and Burullus Gas Company as we support the region’s growing energy infrastructure needs with our high-quality flowline solutions.”

“Our entry into the local market underscores the confidence operators have in our TCP products, our extensive track record and our ability to deliver consistent quality and performance. We look forward to demonstrating Strohm’s commitment to safety and excellence.”

Chris Dyer, senior vice president at Oceaneering’s Offshore Project Group, added, “At Oceaneering, we have extensive experience installing flexible products, including TCP. By leveraging our umbilical product installation capabilities to support TCP installations, we can maximise our assets globally and streamline project execution, providing tangible benefits to the end user in overall project cost and schedule."

A new gas discovery offshore western Libya has been confirmed by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Eni North Africa, following the drilling of the exploration well J1-4/16

After reaching a final depth of 10,458 ft, flow rates across two tests from the Metlawi reservoir stood at 14 million cubic feet per day through a 32/64-inch choke in the first test, and 24 MMcf/d through a 62/64-inch choke in the second.

Lying approximately 95 kilometers from the coast, the well forms part of Contract 4/16, where Eni is the operator, and also remains the final well in fulfilling nine contractual obligations for offshore Contract Block D, as stipulated in the agreement signed in June 2008. 

This discovery can potentially add to Libya's production count, which saw an impressive rise last year. According to a table of the average daily crude oil production and total (cumulative) production figures for the past 10 years that was recently released by NOC Libya, 2025 had recorded the highest average production rate in comparison to the last decade, at 1.374 million barrels per day. Total crude oil production for the year reached 501 million barrels, marking a posititve shift in the NOC’s strategy to boost crude oil production rates. 

Eni is set to launch three exploration plays in Libya – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore, and is also deeply invested in the region's gas with the US$10bn Greenstream pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.

In a move to accelerate its refining capabilities, Nigeria’s NNPC Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership to support the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries

Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd would cover operation and maintenance work of both facilities to deliver sustainable performance. There will be planned expansion and upgrades aiming cleaner and highly profitable product standards.

The MoU was signed in China by the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari; chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong, and chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.

A big development in harnessing Nigeria’s gas and downstream opportunities, Bayo Ojulari said that the MoU was the result of several months of concerted engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners. "All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC's refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success,” he said.

The partnership will play a key role in advancing Nigeria’s position as a gas-based industrial hub as the technical equity partners restart and expand NNPC's refineries.

At international Energy Week in London, Tony Attah, CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, gave an impassioned presentation calling for Africa’s energy transition to be on African terms, urging global support and hailing the divestment of energy resources from international ownership into African hands

Attah began by acknowledging the role of the energy transition to protect the planet and ensure sustainability, but emphasised the need for a just and equitable transition, respecting Africa’s current realities.
“We need to talk about Africa’s energy transition on African terms. We are not challenging the timelines that have been set by Europe and the rest of the world; we are only insisting that these goals be achieved in the way of Africa’s current realities,” he said.

Attah noted the dual changes in Africa: the energy transition itself and the new phase of African ownership and participation in energy systems. Discussing the global energy context, he noted the rising energy demand and fragility of global energy systems, as evidenced by the Russia Ukraine war. Energy demand is still rising, with consumption of all energy sources, both renewables and fossil fuels, hitting record levels. And while global CO2 emissions have reached record levels for a fourth consecutive year, Africa is contributing just 4% of those emissions, but is still paying the price.

The world, including Africa will need more energy due to population growth and the rise of living standards, with global energy demand projected to grow by around 50% between 2018 and 2050. Africa’s population forecast to rise by 67% between 2018 and 2050, from 1.5bn to 2.5bn with Nigeria’s forecast to double from 200 to 400mn in the same time frame, raising the stark possibility of an energy deficit.

Energy paradox

Attah highlighted Africa’s energy paradox, noting its rich energy resources but widespread energy poverty. “We have world class solar energy resources, 40% of the global solar resource base, strong wind, major hydro and geothermal prospects, critical minerals and substantial hydrocarbons, yet we face an energy paradox where millions of Africans remain energy poor and by implication socially and economically very poor. Over 500 million Africans, nearly 43% of the population, lack direct access to electricity, and over 850 million people lacking access to clean cooking solutions, relying on traditional biomass like wood and charcoal, with a negative impact on health.

800,000 people die annually in Africa due to lack of clean energy including 100,000 in Nigeria, he noted, where 80 million Nigerians lack access to electricity. The country loses over US$29bn a year due to unreliable power supply, and 60% of manufacturing costs are attributed to lack of energy.

Africa needs to define its energy transition based on its current realities, he said.

“You cannot decarbonise the system that you have not yet built, and you cannot transition from the energy you do not have. That is the reality. This is the narrative that we as Renaissance are seeking to help reshape and change in the interests of Africa.”

Turning to the foundation of Renaissance Africa Energy Co, which will celebrate its first anniversary this March, he explained that IOC divestment had enables its shareholders to acquire Shell Nigeria’s onshore shallow water assets, marking a transition from international to African operatorship. These assets have now been successfully operated over the last 11 months. He acknowledged the Nigerian government’s speedy approval of the divestments and the major reforms that have energised the industry, as well as the support of NNPC.

“As our name connotes, it’s a new beginning and perhaps the greatest opportunity for Nigeria and indeed Africa that this energy renaissance is African owned and Africa led,” he noted, adding that the company has a bold vision to be Africa’s leading energy company enabling energy security and industrialisation in a sustainable manner. “This mission will be underpinned by our core values of collaboration, respect, integrity, safety and performance.”

The company has increased oil production by 100,000 in 100 days and contributes 2bn scf of gas to the global gas market, and is working to set the company on a growth path aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to produce 2mn BOPD by 2027 and 3mn bopd by 2030.

“African companies are not just replacing international companies. We are redefining the objectives of the assets linking production to power, to industry, to jobs, domestic value and by implication, economic and social political stability of Africa.”

Need for global support

Attah underlined the need for global support to enable Africa’s energy transition, including finance, technology and reliable infrastructure, to enable Africa to convert potential into progress, highlighting that Africa is rich in resources, talent and ambition and noting its young population.

“Africa should be enabled to lead its energy future on its own terms,” he stressed. “If the world wants Africa to replace diesel and biomass as the main energy source, then gas to power, grids and domestic systems must be financed and supported to power industries with lower emissions. Africa needs proven technologies deployed at scale, designed for reliability and real operating conditions. Gas, renewables, storage, grids must work together as systems. Africa’s transition will endure only if we invest in people, governance and operating discipline so Africa-led companies deliver competitively and responsibly for decades to come,” he said. “This is why the current shift in ownership matters.”

Attah highlighted the need for Africa governments to create certainty, stability and an enabling environment for investors to thrive, and urged global business to partner with Africa for mutual benefit, to integrate global energy systems and global financial institutions and release funds to unleash growth.

“If we get this right, we will build globally, more robust energy systems that will power industries strengthen societies, deliver dignity and reduce emissions in a manner that will enable climate change goals to be achieved sustainability, at least looking through the Africa lens,” he concluded. “Africa’s energy transition will not slow the global transition, it will strengthen it, because when Africa powers its people, builds its industries and grows responsibly the world does not lose; if anything its wins, and the vagaries associated with Africa’s underdevelopment will be a thing of the past.

He ended with the rallying cry, “Let the Africa energy renaissance begin!”