Business Day: Emerging and existing oil and gas opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa

Look at the last full year 2013. The biggest oil and gas discoveries are all over the place, worldwide. Some in non-surprising areas, with others in new or frontier areas: (1) Lontra – Angola – 900m boe; (2) B14/B17 – Malaysia – 850m boe; (3) Ogo – Nigeria – 775m boe; (4) Nene – Congo Brazzaville – 700m boe; (5) Agutha – Mozambique – 700m boe; (6) Tangawizi – Tanzania – 575m boe; (7) Coronado – Gulf of Mexico – 550m boe; (8) Salamat – Egypt – 500m boe; (9) Maximino – Gulf of Mexico – 500m boe; (10) Bay du Nord – Canada – 450m boe.

Five of the above 10, totalling approximately 3.65b boe, are in sub-Saharan Africa. That is 2013 alone!

African oil and gas has seen very interesting times in the past five to 10 years. Some might even say “exciting times”, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Countries not usually referred to in oil and gas context have suddenly come into oil and gas reckoning. There is so much oil and gas yet to be discovered in sub-Saharan Africa.

Last year, Oil Review Africa, an oil and gas publication, said: “New energy-producing countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Niger are set to redraw sub-Saharan Africa’s oil and gas map over the next five years, contributing to a significant increase in output and attracting top global companies.”
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