Revitalizing Brownfields in Congo: Opportunities for Increased Production
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The Republic of Congo is implementing a plan to increase its crude oil production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years. This ambitious goal is part of the government’s broader effort to rejuvenate the nation’s oil industry. As part of this strategy, Congo aims to deploy advanced recovery techniques and attract investments to optimize existing resources, ensuring sustainable growth in the energy sector.
In January 2025, Trident Energy completed the acquisition of Chevron’s portfolio in Congo, along with additional interests from TotalEnergies, securing an 85% operating stake in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields. The remaining 15% is held by the state-owned Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo. The Nkossa field, one of Congo's largest offshore oil fields, has been a major contributor to the country's production since its commissioning in 1996. The Nsoko II field, also offshore, has been producing since the early 2000s. Trident Energy’s expertise in managing mid-life assets is expected to enhance the productivity and longevity of these fields by 30,000 bpd.
Additionally, Unite Oil & Gas, through its BOMOKO joint venture with ARIES Energy, has expressed interest in acquiring mature assets in Congo. In an interview with Energy Capital & Power, President and CEO Yachtze Luchin emphasized the company’s commitment to exploring opportunities in fields considered marginal or mature by larger oil firms.
Meanwhile, independent oil producer 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 advanced technology to assess recovery rates and extract untapped reserves from depleting wells. The company has also revamped its platforms and rigs. Associated gas will now be used to power its operations, particularly at the Tchendo II field. This will serve to improve energy independence for the Likouala, Émeraude and Pointe-Noire Grand Fond fields.
Additionally, the Likouala field has seen a significant boost in production in recent years, with output rising steadily and cumulative production increasing over time. Production at the Likouala block is expected to produce oil until 2053, contributing approximately 6% of the country’s daily oil output. Meanwhile, the PNGF Sul brownfield has also seen substantial improvements, currently producing approximately 15,000 bpd. In the second quarter of 2024, an additional workover team was brought into the field with the aim of increasing prod