The company is evaluating development through a subsea tie-back to existing Moho facilities, potentially reducing the capital expenditure and development time associated with bringing the resources into production. The discovery highlights opportunities to extend production from mature offshore assets by connecting additional resources to established infrastructure rather than developing standalone facilities.

These opportunities will feature in the investment discussions at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027, taking place June 1–3 in Brazzaville. Bringing together government representatives, operators and investors, the forum will examine how new exploration, brownfield investment and infrastructure development can support Congo's next phase of oil production.

The Economics Behind a Tie-Back

TotalEnergies EP Congo operates the Moho license with a 63.5% interest, alongside Trident Energy and Congo's national oil company Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC). The Moho complex already supports two floating production units, Alima and Likouf, with combined output of 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day.

“This new discovery on the Moho license benefits from its proximity to existing production infrastructure, allowing a short-cycle, cost-effective tie-back development,” said Nicola Mavilla, Senior Vice-President of Exploration at TotalEnergies.

A subsea tie-back can reduce the capital and development time required for a standalone project by using existing production infrastructure. Industry analysis shows that tie-backs can also shorten development timelines and make smaller discoveries commercially viable by spreading existing infrastructure costs across additional production.

The same model is already working in Angola. TotalEnergies announced the Acacia-5 discovery on Block 17 in September 2026, targeting accelerated development through existing infrastructure at the Pazflor floating production, storage and offloading facility. The company has also secured interests in additional exploration acreage near established producing assets, creating further opportunities for infrastructure-led development.

Infrastructure Could Become the Key to Congo’s 500,000-BPD Ambitions

The Republic of Congo is targeting 500,000 barrels a day in oil production. Infrastructure-led exploration could be central to closing the gap between that target and current output. TotalEnergies has already committed $600 million to expanding the Moho Nord complex. Last year, the company secured the adjacent Nzombo exploration permit acreage, situated 100 km off Pointe-Noire and in close proximity to existing production infrastructure.  

For operators, established offshore infrastructure can create advantages when evaluating new exploration prospects. Existing geological data, production facilities and export systems may reduce development uncertainty and capital requirements, although commercial viability will still depend on reservoir characteristics, recoverable volumes, infrastructure capacity and project costs.

Moho G provides a recent example of this approach, with an estimated 100 million barrels of combined recoverable resources at Moho G and Moho F potentially supporting further development of the Moho complex. As Congo pursues higher production, opportunities to connect additional discoveries to established facilities could attract investment in exploration, subsea infrastructure and brownfield development – priorities that will form part of discussions at CEIF 2027.

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.