Speaking in an exclusive interview for the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027, Akame Zeh said operators have already demonstrated the scale of opportunity within Congo’s mature fields, with targeted interventions and improved operating strategies unlocking significant production gains.

“Operators that were producing very little just four or five years ago are now producing between 65,000 and 100,000 bpd,” said Akame Zeh. “That demonstrates the scale of the opportunity that still exists onshore.”

With Congo currently producing around 280,000 bpd, closing the gap to the government’s 500,000 bpd ambition will require a combination of enhanced recovery from existing assets, continued exploration and investment in technologies that improve reservoir performance.

Brownfield Opportunity Drives Congo’s Production Revival

Independent operators have already built their Congo strategies around this brownfield opportunity, demonstrating that mature assets still have significant running room with the right investment approach.

Ammat Global Resources is targeting 70% production growth from its Loango and Zatchi fields, where reactivated wells have already increased output by 75%. Perenco, meanwhile, added approximately 6,000 bpd through its 2025-2026 infill drilling campaign, extending plateau production from assets that may otherwise have entered decline.

These developments reflect a broader shift in Congo’s upstream sector, where maximizing existing resources is becoming increasingly important alongside new exploration.

The government is also strengthening the fiscal backdrop for further activity. Congo’s cabinet adopted a revised 2026 budget increasing projected revenues by 227.5 billion FCFA to 2,778 billion FCFA, following an upward revision of the crude price assumption to $67 per barrel from $60.30. The revised framework maintains a fiscal surplus of approximately 217 billion FCFA and comes alongside expectations of 5.5% real GDP growth in 2026, supported by the country’s oil sector.

For operators and service companies, the combination of stronger government finances, brownfield momentum and technological innovation creates a more favorable environment for investment.

Technology as the Production Multiplier

For Baker Hughes, the next phase of Congo’s upstream growth will depend on applying advanced technologies to increasingly complex reservoirs.

“As reservoirs mature, maximizing recovery becomes increasingly complex,” said Akame Zeh. “At Baker Hughes, we have a broad portfolio of solutions designed to maximize recovery while improving capital efficiency. Our objective is simple: help operators produce more with less investment.”

Those solutions include integrated technology platforms combining reservoir data, surface equipment and production operations, as well as AI-driven analytics designed to improve decision-making and optimize field performance.

For a mature basin such as Congo’s offshore sector, where operators are often seeking incremental production gains from existing infrastructure, digitalization can be a critical tool. Additional barrels increasingly depend not only on drilling more wells, but on understanding reservoirs better, improving efficiency and extending asset life.

Exploration Remains Critical for Long-Term Growth

Exploration, however, remains the structural gap. “If we produce more today without replacing reserves through exploration, we will face the same production decline a few years from now,” Akame Zeh said. “Sustained exploration is what secures long-term growth.”

As Congo looks to extend the life of its upstream sector, the government is focused on attracting further exploration investment and strengthening the regulatory framework needed to support future activity. Recent sector reforms, including efforts to improve governance and develop the country's gas resources, are aimed at creating a more attractive environment for investors.

Congo’s upstream sector is entering a new phase focused on maximizing existing assets while building the foundation for future discoveries. The next steps will depend on execution, investment and partnerships across the value chain – priorities that will take center stage at CEIF 2027, taking place June 1-3 in Brazzaville.