These opportunities will be a key focus at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027, taking place June 1-3 in Brazzaville. Bringing together operators, investors, service companies and policymakers, the forum will examine investment opportunities across Congo's upstream sector as the country pursues its ambition of reaching 500,000 bpd. With production recently estimated at around 280,000 bpd, brownfield redevelopment offers a route to incremental output while longer-term exploration and development projects advance.

Brownfield Investments Deliver Production Gains

Perenco's Tchibouela East campaign, completed in December 2025, used horizontal and U-shaped wells to increase recovery from a field that has been producing for nearly three decades. Following the results, the company launched another five-well drilling campaign at Masseko, targeting additional production while testing a new geological horizon.

Trident Energy is also pursuing production optimization following its 2025 acquisition of an 85% operated interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields, alongside minority interests in Moho-Bilondo and Lianzi. The acquisition gives Trident a portfolio of established offshore assets where well interventions, infrastructure rehabilitation and operational improvements could support additional production.

The Nkossa and Nsoko fields began producing in 1996 and 2006, respectively, with licenses extending to 2039 and 2040. Their remaining operating lives provide a window for Trident to invest in redevelopment and improve recovery from existing reservoirs.

Other independent operators are pursuing similar opportunities. Ammat Global Resources is targeting production growth of 70% across its Loango and Zatchi fields, with well reactivation efforts already contributing to higher output. Perenco, meanwhile, produced approximately 69,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Congo in 2025, underscoring the scale of its established operating portfolio.

Closing the Gap to 500,000 BPD

Brownfield redevelopment offers potential advantages for Congo's production ambitions. Established reservoirs and existing production infrastructure can reduce the development time and capital requirements associated with bringing additional barrels online, particularly where operators can reactivate wells, optimize recovery or use available processing capacity.

These opportunities also create demand for drilling contractors, oilfield service providers and technology companies specializing in well interventions, artificial lift, reservoir management and production optimization.

However, mature-field investment alone is unlikely to deliver Congo's full production target. New exploration and field developments will remain necessary to offset natural declines and establish additional production capacity over the longer term.

The investment opportunity therefore spans both established assets and new acreage. While projects such as Tchibouela East, Masseko, Nkossa and Nsoko II demonstrate the potential for near-term production gains, exploration and new developments will be essential to sustaining growth.

As Congo works toward higher output, CEIF 2027 will connect operators and investors with opportunities across mature-field redevelopment, drilling and new exploration, supporting the capital and partnerships required to advance the country's production ambitions.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, CEIF 2027 will enable candid dialogue, facilitating new investments and deals in the country’s energy sector. For more information, visit www.congoenergyinvestment.com.