Andrea Barberi, Congo Director, Eni, confirmed the company has drilled a new well in the Marine XII permit, currently delivering 6,000 bpd. "We were able to chat with the government on the LNG project and put together a new fiscal framework to adapt to this project. It’s not only a way to develop gas resources but also to valorize the existing oil reserves available," Barberi stated. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration, adding, "The efforts of the ministry are encouraging synergies. We need to invest in dialogue to build a common path."

Wing Wah, currently producing 56,000 bpd, announced plans to boost production to 80,000 pd by 2025 with an upcoming major well drilling campaign to support the company’s expansion. Decosse Kassa, Well Engineer, Wing Wah E&P, noted: "We started with deviated drilling due to thickness variations and then opted for horizontal drilling."

TotalEnergies is also expanding its exploration and drilling activities, planning a four-well infield campaign to support Moho Nord’s 16,000 bpd output while drilling an exploration well at the Moho prospect, which could add 25,000 bpd by 2028-2029. Laurent Schulbaum, Director of Geosciences Congo, TotalEnergies, stressed the need for partnerships to further increase oil production in Congo. "High risk, high investment, high reward. We need to strengthen partnerships between operators, as contractors often bridge these collaborations," said Schulbaum.

The Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) and the Ministry of Hydrocarbons also outlined Congo’s potential for production growth. Jude Brice Ondonda, Upstream Oil Director, SNPC stated, "We can increase production by more than 50%. We have opportunities onshore, offshore and with brownfields. Within the next three years, we should achieve this goal." He also highlighted the need for technical solutions such as fracking or acidizing to revive older fields.

Fabrice Okassa, Upstream Advisor, Republic of Congos’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons, echoed the panelists’ comments on cooperation to increase production, "We have 1.8 billion barrels in reserves, and in 3P estimates, we have 3 billion barrels.  A structured effort is underway to optimize the performance of permits through dialogue with partners".

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, taking place March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities.