SNPC to Drill 2 Wells in the Congo’s Nanga I Block
)
The Republic of Congo is set to transform its energy sector with a newly announced bid round for exploration blocks and an ambitious goal to boost oil production to 500,000 bpd within three years. On the gas front, large-scale projects like Eni's Congo LNG lead the country’s gas monetization strategy. At the African Energy Week (AEW), Energy Capital & Power (ECP) interviewed Maixent Raoul Ominga, Managing Director of the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), to talk about new hydrocarbon projects, the gas master plan, and broader insights on Africa's energy landscape.
What specific projects is the SNPC pursuing in the Republic of Congo’s oil and gas sector? How do they contribute to energy security and sustainability in the Republic of Congo?
SNPC is involved as a partner in all oil and gas permits across Congo. Additionally, the government has entrusted us with several strategic blocks, including Nanga I , Kouakouala II, Zingali II, and Le Mayombe II, which we are actively developing. In collaboration with our upstream team, we have launched key projects to accelerate progress, starting with the Kouakouala field, previously operated by Maurel & Prom and then Eni. We expect to see promising results soon. A key focus is the Nanga field, where we plan to drill two new wells before January 2025. We are also advancing exploration efforts in the Le Mayombe field.
Our refinery is another critical asset in boosting energy self-sufficiency. We have secured a major agreement with SOCAR for a comprehensive modernization, marking its first major upgrade since 1982. Significant investments have also been made in upskilling our workforce to support these initiatives.
Can you elaborate on the key components of the improved gas master plan and how SNPC plans to leverage it to improve gas monetization?
The Gas Master Plan is a comprehensive document we developed in collaboration with Wood Mackenzie to create a structured framework for gas monetization in the Republic of Congo. Despite existing regulations aimed at banning gas flaring, many partners have continued the practice. This Master Plan sets out a clear roadmap to capitalize on the Republic of Congo's gas resources, highlighting gas as a significant economic opportunity that can diversify our revenue base beyond just oil. Furthermore, the plan will allow the Republic of Congo to engage more confidently with advanced players in the industry, such as Equatorial Guinea, which already has established distinct national oil and gas companies. The Master Plan is currently 99% complete and is expected to be officially enacted in the coming days.