Latest news with #AfricanEnergyWeek
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Upstream E&P Track to Foster Dialogue and Deals Amid African Exploration Surge
Amid Africa's ongoing exploration and production surge, this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will host a dedicated Upstream E&P Track. The track - taking place as part of the main conference agenda from September 29 to October 3 – will tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the upstream oil and gas sector, delving into topics such as deepwater development, onshore prospects, the role of independent firms and balancing African priorities with global supply dynamics. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 represents the platform of choice for Africa's upstream sector. Africa's upstream oil and gas sector is on the precipice of significant growth, boosted by a $54 billion capital expenditure drive expected by 2030. Across the continent, both established oil and gas markets and frontier players are seeking capital to bolster production while unlocking new basins in deepwater and onshore basins. The continent's exploration surge is further supported by growing demand in African markets as well as a rise in global gas imports. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track will explore these shifting dynamics, offering a platform for new exploration and production deals to be signed. AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 for more information about this exciting event. To entice greater spending across the upstream sector, many African countries are laying the foundation for new investments by both majors and independent energy companies. A string of licensing rounds is being launched in 2025, offering exploration opportunities across a variety of acreage. Licensing rounds are planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mauritania and South Africa, while Libya, Nigeria, Algeria and Liberia have already launched their respective bid rounds. The Upstream E&P Track will explore the impact of these rounds. Sessions include What's Next for African Upstream in 2026; Exploration Hotspots; and Basins Without Borders: Unlocking the Full Potential of Cross-Border Basins in the Transform Margin. Additionally, panel discussions will examine emerging prospects in frontier basins, with sessions taking place on Frontier Plays Within Africa's Mature Basins; Offshore and Deepwater Plays; and Unlocking Africa's Onshore and Shallow-Water Potential. While global energy majors expand their portfolios in Africa, independent oil and gas firms are taking on a more prominent role in exploration and production. International oil company divestment has opened-up new pathways for African independents, and as such, more companies are taking the lead on asset development. AEW: Invest in African Energies will host panel discussions on The Making of an African Independent; Technology and Innovation: Rethinking Asset Development to Accelerate Upstream Success; as well as Crude Value Benchmarking with Ever-Changing Light, Heavy Balance, exploring opportunities for independents in Africa. Meanwhile, with global gas demand projected to increase 10% between 2021 and 2030, African countries are strategically positioned to accelerate exploration and play a more central role in global supply chains. With over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves on the continent – most of which remains under-developed – Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its resources to produce low-carbon, cost-effective fuel. Panel discussions on Decarbonizing Pathways for African Oil and Gas; The Outlook for Global LNG; and The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market will address these opportunities, while a session on Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets, will examine how the continent can leverage its resources for domestic growth. The track will also feature panel discussions on strategic oil and gas markets in Africa, including Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and more. These sessions are geared towards companies seeking growth opportunities in proven markets and are expected to unlock new deal-signing and partnerships prospects. Beyond panel discussions, the Upstream E&P Track will feature a series of fireside chats, with participating companies including Renaissance Africa Energy, Northern Ocean, Seplat Energy and more. 'Africa's upstream oil and gas market is witnessing a surge of investment, as operators seek to expand their portfolios and governments target near-term production. Amid this growth, strategic financing gaps have emerged. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track seeks to address these challenges by bringing together major players from the market to engage and sign deals,' says Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's Former-Minister of Petroleum Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Amid Exploration Surge in North Africa
Tarek El Molla, Egypt's former-Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has joined the continent's premier energy event – African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African as a speaker. Taking place on September 29-October 3 in Cape Town, the event unites international financiers and operators with African energy opportunities. El Molla's participation comes as Egypt advances a bold exploration and production agenda, providing the opportunity for new deals and collaborations. Egypt's oil and gas strategy is largely centered on its ambitions to scale-up international exports as the country seeks to leverage its strategic proximity to European markets. North Africa has long-been an important player in meeting European oil and gas demand, but as Egypt accelerates exploration and production through licensing opportunities and greater collaboration with international operators, the country is well-positioned to play an even greater role in global supply chains. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, El Molla is expected to share insight into this strategy and how investing in Egyptian oil and gas will help support energy security in international markets. AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 for more information about this exciting event. As one of Africa's biggest gas producers, Egypt has made a name for itself as a major gas exporter. Yet, the country has faced significant production declines since 2022, with gas output dropping 20% year-on-year, reaching 4.3 billion cubic feet in January 2025 – the lowest in eight years. To address this, the country is implementing a bold industry agenda aimed at mitigating declines and accelerating both greenfield and brownfield investments. Egypt's latest oil and gas licensing round – offering 13 offshore and onshore blocks across key regions in the Mediterranean Sea and Nile Delta – seeks to boost exploration and attract international investment. The licensing round will be finalized in the second half of the year, with plans to sign five new agreements and amend an existing one for exploration and production. Both international oil companies (IOC) and regional players are stepping-up their investments to support the country's oil and gas ambitions and generate greater returns from the industry. In May 2025, Russian energy firm Lukoil received parliamentary approval for two deals, including exploration and production rights in the South Wadi El-Sahl region of the Eastern Desert and similar operations in the neighboring Wadi El-Sahl area. ExxonMobil signed an MoU with the state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) in April 2025, paving the way for a new operational framework in the Cairo and Masry offshore concession areas of the Mediterranean Sea, while also announcing plans to drill a new offshore gas exploration well in the North Marakia Offshore Concession. In 2025, Eni plans to drill two development wells at the Zohr gas field amid a $26 billion investment strategy planned for Egypt, Libya and Algeria. EGAS is also implementing a bold investment strategy. In the first half of FY 2024/2025, the company completed seven exploratory well and evaluation wells, as well as a 3D seismic survey program covering 2,100 km² in the western Mediterranean's King Ramses Block. The company also implemented five projects to develop gas fields during this period, placing eight new development wells on the map. Looking ahead, EGAS plans to conduct four exploratory wells in the second half of FY 2024/2025, with four more development projects set to be implemented along with 14 new development wells. In FY 2025/2026, the company is looking at drilling 17 exploratory and evaluation wells – primarily in the Delta and Mediterranean Sea – with a total investment of $434 million. A 4D seismic survey in the deep marine West Delta area and a 3D survey in the Zohr field area are also planned. These developments signal a strong commitment by upstream operators to unlock greater value from Egypt's oil and gas market, indicating the level of opportunity available across the country. With El Molla's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, conference attendees will gain insight into the country's strategic industry plans. His participation will provide an overview into the country's investment opportunities – from upstream exploration and production to exports and downstream infrastructure – offering investors a unique opportunity to better-understand the market. 'Egypt is taking all the right steps to counteract production decline and revitalize its oil and gas industry. Through a strategic licensing round, strengthened IOC collaboration and a strong drive by state-owned entities to develop new fields, the country is well-positioned to boost oil and gas output,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Arabian Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
AI Drives Revamp of Ageing Oilfields in Africa
Africa's ageing oilfields are undergoing a transformation as artificial intelligence technologies unlock new opportunities for enhanced oil recovery. Operators across the continent are leveraging data-driven systems, machine‑learning and regional policy incentives to revive mature reservoirs, boost output and improve efficiency. Major energy firms have spearheaded this push. SLB opened a 3,200 sq ft Africa Performance Centre in Luanda, Angola on 28 January 2025, designed to offer a collaborative platform for digital tools, AI, new‑energy technology and capacity development for local talent. The centre marks a strategic investment as Angola aims to maintain production above one million barrels per day through to 2030. Meanwhile, global oilfield service providers—including Baker Hughes and Halliburton—have established bases across Africa. Repsol, operating in Libya, Algeria and Morocco, is also integrating AI methods to support EOR efforts. ADVERTISEMENT AI implementation in EOR extends well beyond digital monitoring. It enables predictive modelling, reservoir characterisation and operational optimisation. By analysing geological and production data, AI tools generate more accurate forecasts for reservoir performance and help engineers deploy targeted interventions. Machine‑learning algorithms detect patterns across extensive datasets, revealing insights that traditional models might miss. Policy frameworks have emerged as critical enablers. Angola's 2024 Incremental Production Initiative introduced tax incentives for reinvestment in legacy fields. The initiative already yielded new discovery results, including ExxonMobil's Likembe‑01 well in Block 15. It underscores how fiscal measures can stimulate investment and catalyse technological adoption in older asset bases. At a continental level, the African Union Commission, in May 2025, identified AI as a strategic development priority. This decision is anticipated to open pathways for technology providers and oil operators to strengthen digital infrastructure and EOR capabilities. High‑level platforms such as African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025, scheduled for 29 September to 3 October in Cape Town, underscore this trajectory. Sessions will specifically explore digital transformation, EOR and AI's role in exploration and production. ExxonMobil will enhance the debate through representation by Katrina Fisher, its Angola managing director. Her participation highlights offshore discoveries like Likembe‑01 and Bavuca Sul‑1, exploration activities on Blocks 17/06 and 32/21 alongside TotalEnergies and Angola's national oil agency, and the impact of fiscal frameworks on production. The renewed focus on EOR comes amid changing production profiles. Africa's mature assets supply more than 60 percent of global output, a share projected to grow to nearly 80 percent by 2030. As drilling declines or remains flat, enhanced recovery from existing fields becomes vital to sustaining supply. SLB's Luanda centre is emblematic of that shift. It joins earlier local capacity‑building efforts such as Angola's Integrated Performance Excellence centre, launched in late 2024, devoted to optimising life‑cycle field performance with digital workflows and AI intelligence. SLB is also leveraging its Delfi™ cloud platform and Ora™ deep‑testing solutions to support autonomous drilling and digital reservoir evaluation. Such technology is already delivering results. Rystad Energy reports that 10 percent year‑on‑year decline rates in mature fields can be mitigated through proactive AI‑driven interventions, while real‑time analytics shorten decision cycles and cut operating expenses. Geopolitical contexts further support this transition. Angola's licensing round in early 2024 opened 12 blocks and announced nine offshore and four onshore prospects for 2025—steps that complement policy efforts to inject capital and technology into ageing assets. Challenges remain. Balancing emissions and ageing infrastructure demands that AI deployment aligns with sustainability goals and just energy transition imperatives. African policymakers are under pressure to ensure that AI‑enabled production does not compromise climate targets or deepen energy inequities. At African Energy Week, debate is expected to centre on reconciling EOR with carbon management, capacity development and economic inclusion. Industry leaders aim to forge integrated strategies that couple technological modernisation with environmental stewardship and local benefits.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Make Energy Poverty History: African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Explore Role of Digitization and Data
With over 600 million people living without access to electricity and 900 million living without access to clean cooking solutions, Africa is faced with a dilemma: how to scale-up energy capacity while reducing project timelines. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and collaboration with global partners have emerged as key solutions to addressing this dilemma, offering energy producers the chance to modernize infrastructure, accelerate energy development and create more resilient energy systems across the continent. A panel discussion at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3, 2025 – will explore the impact AI solutions are playing in Africa. The session will delve into challenges faced by African countries, including data gaps, limited local expertise and regulatory barriers, while offering insights into how context-aware AI can make technology affordable and accessible. Participating speakers include representatives from S&P Global Commodity Insights and Microsoft Energy and Resources. The conversation will explore how technology can bridge the energy divide – paving the way for a more energy-secure, innovation-driven Africa. AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 for more information about this exciting event. With the demand for electricity projected to more than triple in Africa by 2040, AI stands to play an instrumental role in optimizing energy production. Across traditional grid networks, AI can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency of energy systems, improve resource management while minimizing energy losses. AI also enables predictive maintenance, allowing utilities to identify equipment failures ahead of time. In addition to preventing unwarranted shutdowns, predictive maintenance significantly reduces costs. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company, for example, is utilizing AI-powered solutions and machine learning to detect power theft, optimize load distribution and manage power outages. This has resulted in a 30% reduction in energy losses. In June 2025, the company launched an Expression of Interest, inviting international firms to partner on the implementation of world-class IT solutions to further improve grid management, technology infrastructure and digitization. In South Africa, the state-utility Eskom is leveraging AI to monitor the national grid. Through the application of big data and AI in energy management, the utility seeks to optimize systems and cut unnecessary electricity use. Beyond grid management, AI is being utilized to expand energy access. Approximately 33% of Africa's population lives in rural or remote areas, and with the continent relying heavily on traditional grid systems, this has resulted in significant disparity with regards to equitable energy access. Through AI, Africa stands to address this challenge. AI-powered microgrids, for example, are playing a major part in providing access to electricity for underserved communities. Offering an alternative to grid-connected power, microgrids are context-specific, allowing access to power without the need for large-scale transmission networks. Recent projects highlight a growing commitment by international firms to expand microgrids in Africa. The Zambia Ruida Mining Microgrid Power Project was commissioned in 2025, representing the continent's largest single-unit microgrid for mining operations. SANY Silicon Energy launched Africa's largest single-unit hybrid microgrid for mining projects in South Africa in 2025, while PowerGen Renewable Energy is partnering with international investors to deploy over 120 MW of off-grid energy systems across the continent. Meanwhile, AI creates significant opportunities to propel a just energy transition in Africa, supporting renewable energy integration across grid networks. Through the deployment of smart grids and AI technology, utilities can balance fossil fuel generation with renewable integration, allowing African countries to utilize a variety of generation sources. Countries like Zimbabwe are actively integrating renewable energy into the national grid, seeking to diversify its power mix by incorporating both coal and renewable energy. Approximately 75MW of net-metered solar was added to the grid in February 2025, with goals to incorporate 2,100 MW of renewable energy by 2030. AI-powered technology and smart meters enable seamless integration, while addressing challenges associated with renewable energy intermittency. Stepping into this picture, the AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 panel discussion will bring together experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges for AI deployment in African energy. 'Addressing energy poverty in Africa requires innovative solutions. AI is not a foreign concept: it's a powerful local opportunity. By building AI tools that are rooted in African data, culture and needs, we can create a smarter energy ecosystem that works for all Africans,' NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EnerGeo Alliance Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Promote Greater Collaboration, Investment in African Geoscience
Nikki Martin, President and CEO of global trade association EnerGeo Alliance, will speak at this year's edition of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. Leveraging innovative geoscience technology and applications, the organization provides comprehensive energy solutions to countries worldwide. For Africa, this expertise supports exploration and production efforts as the continent seeks to make energy poverty history by 2030. EnerGeo Alliance is a strong advocate for collaborative energy solutions. The company has called for greater investment in Africa's upstream sector, recognizing the vital role investments in seismic surveys and data generation plays in reducing exploration risk, supporting successful drilling and unlocking new deposits of oil and gas in Africa. Under the company's 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, EnerGeo Alliance aims to support the energy geoscience and exploration industries and ensure the sustainability, accessibility and reliability of the global energetic future. This will be pursued through three strategic pillars: progressing policies, prioritizing people and pivoting perception. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2024, Martin will share insight into this strategic plan and its impact in Africa. AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 for more information about this exciting event. EnerGeo Alliance's 2024-2029 Strategic Plan is centered on supporting exploration worldwide, and as such, is poised to unlock new opportunities for African geoscience and energy players. With over 600 million people living without access to electricity and 900 million people living without access to clean cooking solutions, the continent has set clear targets of scaling-up data-driven exploration and boosting oil and gas production. Supporting this goal, EnerGeo Alliance is leveraging its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan to mobilize the geoscience and exploration industries to deliver the energy needed to address growing global demand. Under its processing policies pillar, EnerGeo Alliance is encouraging policy and regulatory frameworks that support the industry's freedom to operate as well as the development of low-carbon solutions. The company also strives to map and analyze the above-ground-risks to exploration globally, while supporting policies that prioritize geoscience and exploration operations. A notable example of this is a 2024 policy brief by EnerGeo Alliance on South Africa, which showcased the need for advanced seismic surveys in the country. The brief emphasized the potential value of the country's offshore Brulpadda-Luiperd fields and onshore shale gas in the Karoo Basin. Another key pillar is the prioritization of people. In this regard, the company seeks to promote the safety and empowerment of the current workforce, while supporting the development of the new generation of geoscience and energy workers. This will be achieved through strategic initiatives and networking opportunities. Examples include a series of events hosted by EnerGeo Alliance, all of which are designed to advance impactful policies and reshape perceptions of the energy sector. Meanwhile, the pillar of pivoting perceptions will see EnerGeo Alliance drive the narrative of the energy geoscience industry. This will be achieved by promoting the role of the global geoscience industry and establishing the industry as a partner to communities and regions in need of access to reliable energy. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is a strong platform to promote this narrative, with Martin expected to share valuable insights into the role the geoscience industry has and will continue to play in making energy poverty history across the continent. 'EnerGeo Alliance is a strong partner for the African energy industry. The company not only advocates for greater exploration and production in Africa but promotes policies that foster collaboration, data acquisition and inclusive development in the oil and gas sector. As the continent targets new discoveries, accelerates the pace of exploration and pursues new development opportunities, organizations such as EnerGeo Alliance play an instrumental part in driving the African energy narrative,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
