As such, the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) will feature a dedicated panel session, Field Development Drive: Towards 500,000 bpd, which will delve into the country’s strategic drive to harness untapped resources and maximize the potential of existing assets. As Congo focuses on expanding production in both new and mature fields, the session is set to cement the country’s position as one of the continent’s most attractive oil markets.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

 In January 2025, Trident Energy finalized its acquisition of energy majors Chevron and TotalEnergies’ interests in operational fields in Congo. As part of the acquisition, Trident Energy will receive the entire issues share capital of Chevron’s Congolese subsidiary Chevron Overseas (Congo) Ltd., as well as working interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields and a 15.75% operated interest in the Lianzi field. Trident Energy also acquired a 21.5% working interest in TotalEnergies’ Moho-Bilondo field. The company’s acquisition of these assets is set to add approximately 30,000 bpd to Congo’s production capacity.

Perenco aims to surpass 100,000 bpd – up from its current 80,000 bpd – through enhanced recovery techniques and investments in mature fields. The company’s strategy includes deploying reserves from depleting wells. Perenco has also revamped its platforms and rigs. Meanwhile, TotalEnergies announced last year that it will invest $600 million to strengthen exploration and production activities in Congo. The investment will be used to finance exploration and maintain production in the country’s deep offshore Moho Nord field, which accounts for approximately half of all Congolese oil production – roughly 140,000 bpd. TotalEnergies' commitment to Congo's oil sector is set to ensure additional production of 40,000 bpd, adding to the country’s current levels of 267,000 bpd.

Meanwhile, Congo is implementing a series of strategic projects and policy reforms to make its hydrocarbon sector more attractive to investors. The Ministry of Hydrocarbons is set to launch a licensing round at CEIF 2025, presenting lucrative opportunities across the country’s largely untapped on- and offshore basins. This licensing round will come on the heels of oil and gas company China Oil Natural Gas Overseas Holding Ltd.’s announcement of a three-year, $150 million investment strategy to enhance oil production in the Conkouati-Koui and Nanga III fields, with plans to drill four wells.

“Through a strong slate of panel sessions and discussions, CEIF will provide valuable insights into the country’s evolving energy landscape and the opportunities it presents for international investors. With new policy reforms, strategic projects and a focused drive to increase production, Congo is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s oil sector, making this forum an unmissable platform for stakeholders to engage with the future of energy in the region,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.