News

Africa’s Most Interesting Untapped Oil Play

Published

4 years ago

May 11, 2021

When writing the article on this year’s Top Oil Wildcats, one of the hottest candidates had to be dropped out of the list. Not because the prospect turned out to be sub-commercial, far from it, it remains one of Africa’s most interesting untapped plays, potentially opening up a new country with no previous exposure to the world of energy. As Senegal and Mauritania started to break their way onto the energy maps of Western Africa, Guinea Bissau has remained a relative outlier. At the same time it needs to be pointed out that lack of officially recognized discoveries does not necessarily mean lack of hydrocarbons, as can be attested by the Atum prospect. Atum remains one of the hottest plays in offshore Africa, an overlooked gem that would only need a little bit of political stability to shine.

Recent big discoveries in Senegal’s offshore, such as FAN-1 and SNE (the latter being the largest oil discovery globally in 2014), shortly thereafter followed by new plays in Mauritania’s offshore such as Orca, have unearthed an untapped frontier area that is rich in both oil and gas. Over the past decade Mauritania and Senegal have advanced quite well in terms of appraising their offshore territory, however the southern flank of the MSGBC Basin (short for Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry) has been lagging behind. The root causes of this are institutional, although Guinea Bissau adopted a new Petroleum Law in 2014, its implementation was never really tested in real life. In countries where peaceful handover of power is still a questionable concept, the anticipation of hydrocarbon discoveries to come, coupled with a heightened sense of political infighting, has created a cumbersome challenge.

The hydrocarbon story of Guinea Bissau is a fairly standard one for a small West African nation.

The tiny country has no commercial discoveries up to date, with official 2P reserves estimated at 12-13 million barrels (equivalent to the Sinapa oil discovery within Block 02). The last offshore wildcat that Bissau had seen dates back to 2007 when the UK-based firm Premier Oil spudded the Eirozes-1 well in the Esperança block. Drilled into a total depth of 2250 metres in water depth of 100 metres, the well turned out to be dry. This failure has prompted Premier Oil to leave Guinea Bissau’s offshore in December 2007 – thereafter Svenska Petroleum assumed operatorship over the block. Whilst the Atum prospect, located farther out in deeper waters, has been known for quite some time already, financial issues of license-holding firms and the general lack of appetite for genuine frontier drilling has kept the ambition down.

The Atum prospect is located in the westernmost part of Block 02, partially spilling over into Block 04. It is abutted from the left by the Anchova prospect and from the right by the Sardinha prospect (you have guessed it right, the fishy concept extends to Atum, too, the name of the blocks means “tuna”). What is new about the Atum prospect? First and foremost, Atum is assumed to become Guinea Bissau’s first-ever deepwater well. Second, Atum is an analogue of Senegal’s SNE-1: it, too, is a shelf-edge play, in similar water depths (900 metres vs 1100 metres) and targeting the same Upper Albian deposits. The unrisked prospective resources of Atum are assessed at 471 MMbbls, i.e. very similar to those of SNE (563 MMbbls). Should the prospective drillers also aim for the Anchova prospect next to Atum, the combined reserves total would increase to 568MMbbls.

Atum has up to now suffered from one main deficiency – lack of a financially robust oil major. Throughout the 2010s, the Swedish Svenska Petroleum was seeking to farm out interests in Blocks 02 and 04A to fund its ambitious drilling plans. Struggling to go at it completely alone, Svenska reached an agreement in August 2019 with the Chinese CNOOC. CNOOC was to purchase 55.55% of the Sinapa and Esperança license blocks (i.e. Block 2 and Blocks 4A/5A) for the duration of the exploration phase, to be converted into a regular 50% participating interest should the project be deemed commercially viable.

The transaction was assumed to be concluded at some point in Q3 2019, once all the authorities of Guinea Bissau provide all regulatory approvals – needless to say, at that point (just as now) Block 02 was the most promising offshore play that Bissau had. Upon receiving all required approvals, drilling the Atum prospect in Block 02 was supposed to take place in Q1 2020, an ambition that never materialized.

Domestic political turmoil is also one of the main reasons underlying Guinea Bissau’s inability to move swiftly enough on regulatory approvals. For a brief period in early 2020 the West African nation had two presidents simultaneously, pitting the camp of Umaro Embaló, the winner of the presidential elections, and Domingos Simoes who refused to acknowledge the results of the ballot and had Cipriano Cassama elected as interim president. It was the President that was bound to approve CNOOC’s farm-in into Block 02 of Guinea Bissau’s offshore and with both parties fully focused on tripping up political opponents rather than kickstarting the country’s oil and gas sector, the end result was worse than anybody could have forethought.

Against this background, not only did CNOOC quit the intended deal, Svenska Petroleum sold all of its Guinea Bissau acreage (78.57% in Blocks 02, 04A and 05A) to the Norwegian PetroNor in November 2020. It seems likely that PetroNor, joined by the embattled Australian company FAR (21.42% interest), would also prefer to have a go at Atum with a heavy-hitting partner. The acreage license covering exploration works in Block 02 was extended by further 3 years into 2023, therefore the road is clear for interested parties. With this, the spudding of the Atum-1 wildcat is most likely to take place in 2022.

Katona writes for Oilprice.com

News

Ward 13 Councilor Receives Certificate of Return …Vows To Provide Quality Service

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

As Rivers State Councilors join their Chairmen to receive certificate of return ,the ward 13 Ulakwo in Etche local government ,Nnadi Godfirst had vowed to provide quality ,effective service to his people

Nnadi stated this Yesterday after receiving his certificate of return at the office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC in Port Harcourt

Nnadi said service to his people will be at the centre stage of his stay in office

The ward 13 Councilor pledged to initiate bye laws that will have direct effect to his constituency

He hinted this could be achieved through team work ,collaboration with his colleague at the Legislative Chambers

Nnadi reiterated his determination to work in synergy with his colleagues to give the Chairman necessary Legislative backing to deliver impactful governance to Etche people

He admitted the calibre of elected councilors are capable to make a positive difference compared to the past Legislators

Nnadi stated the need to give the Chairman necessary Legislative support to change the narrative in the next three years in office

He declared the need for the youths to work hard as everyone had his time of remembrance

He insisted the need for one to he consistent in every human pursued ,stressing the importance sticking to what one belief

Hon Nnadi revealed further that it gladdens his heart that his good will has really paid following enormous support his people gave during and after the election ,insisting he will never take it for granted

While urging them to be patient as proactive measures will be taking to address their basic needs

News

Ogoni Postgraduate Forum Hails HYPREP Over Scholarship Scheme …Says Its Expansion Reflects Empathy

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, has applauded the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) for its 2025 scholarship scheme for Ogoni postgraduate students, saying the expansion of the grant coverage from the initial 300 to 500 scholars reflects empathy, foresight and unwavering commitment to the educational and intellectual advancement of Ogoniland.

The Convener of the forum, Mr Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, who gave the indication in a media statement, said for expanding the livelihood programme of the Project to include scholarship support for Ogoni postgraduate students, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey deserves not mere recognition but the profound commendation of a grateful people.

“As Brian Tracy once remarked, “The value of a promise is the cost to you of keeping your word.” On the 4th of November, 2024, Prof Zabbey declared that the postgraduate grant would become an annual intervention. The just concluded sensitisation and the opening of the application portal stand as incontrovertible evidence of that commitment, a testament to integrity in leadership,” he said.

According to him, “In this regard, Prof Zabbey aligns with the great John F. Kennedy, who declared that he would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.

Nnaane noted that the enlistment of the scholarship grant in HYPREP’s livelihood programme to accommodate researchers of Ogoni ethnic extraction, an oil-rich yet historically marginalised ethnic nationality, reinforces the policy consistency and clarity that define Zabbey’s administration, stressing that this act is more than symbolic, as it is an affirmation of confidence in the intellectual capacity of the Ogoni people and a strategic investment in their future.

He said Zabbey’s stewardship has delivered transformative outcomes like the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital; Buan Cottage Hospital; potable water scheme across numerous Ogoni communities; among others, saying the shoreline remediation is so effective that marine biodiversity, periwinkles, oysters and fish have returned to the creeks of K-Dere and Bomu communities.

“These are not mere achievements, they are milestones etched in the annals of Ogoni history”, he intoned.

The forum, therefore, called on Ogoni leaders both at home and in the diaspora to close ranks and rally their support behind HYPREP to safeguard this shared heritage borne out of the collective struggles and sanctified by the ultimate sacrifice of the Ogoni martyrs.

It appealed to HYPREP to continue to deepen research collaborations, particularly in the Environmental Sciences and prioritise the forum members in training and employment opportunities.

According to the forum, “it is regrettable that many of our kinsmen today possess advanced academic qualifications, yet remain underutilised in the national workforce.”

The convener also called on HYPREP to maintain the tempo applied in the maiden edition of the postgraduate scholarship support grant screening/verification exercise, by keeping the door closed against any sort of interference and influence that would hamper the conduct of a seamless process and deprive eligible would-be beneficiaries.

He said the forum members would in turn provide the necessary feedback mechanism for the screening process, to report its transparency and integrity, as well as clear any iota of doubt about its integrity.

The forum said while it is confident that the Ogoni students are not neophytes on the academic corridors, it urged the scholars to avail themselves of the present opportunity, and wished them success in the computer-based test, verification and screening exercise.

Nnaane equally solicited for more scholarship support and research collaborations from other agencies, national and international bodies and public-spirited individuals for Ogoni scholars.

By: Donatus Ebi

News

Ndume condemns killing of soldiers, immigration officers, 58 civilians in Borno

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

Senator Mohamme Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has condemned fresh Boko Haram attacks in the Darajamal Community of Bama local government area and Monguno local government area of Borno State.

In Darajamal village, five soldiers with 58 civilians were killed while an unspecified number of people, mostly women and girls, were abducted, even as ground troops of North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai ‘ with support from Air Component responded swiftly and killed over 30 of the attackers while fleeing into the bush last Friday night.

The attack in Monguno last Thursday also claimed the lives of two Immigration Officers.

Darajamal, a newly reconstructed and resettled community situated along Bama-Banki road in Borno Central is over 100 km, while
Monguno is approximately a 136 km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital, and is located in the heart of the Northern Borno Senatorial District.

In a press statement signed by Ndume, a copy of which was made available to our Correspondent on Sunday, expressed shock over the unabated renewed attacks and killings in some parts of the state.

He sympathized with the Government and the people of Borno, especially the families of the victims, including those of the soldiers and Immigration officers, and prayed to Allah (God) to grant all souls of the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus.

The Senator also called on the federal government to prioritise the security, safety and welfare of all Nigerians in this trying moment.

He, however, commended the troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ and other security agencies for their sacrifices in making Borno safe and peaceful, but lamented that, in the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts have been under siege by Boko Haram attacks. A situation he described as worrisome.

Ndume advocated for Armed Community Defence to continue in complementing efforts of the military, stressing that men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns, sticks, which makes it very difficult to confront the terrorists.

The Southern Borno Senator, who was one time Chairman Senate Committee on Amry also reiterated his call on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy drowns, Attack Helicopters to be stationed in the Theatre Command, Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM), which is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country.

” In the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts remained under siege by Boko Haram/ISWAP. The situation is worrisome.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to advocate for the setting up of Armed Community Defence to complement the efforts of the military. This is because men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns, sticks, which they find very difficult to confront the terrorists.

“More so, I want to reiterate my calls on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM), which is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country”. Senator Ndume stated.

He also called on the people of the state to continue to cooperate with the military and other security agencies, particularly in information sharing on the modus operandi of terrorists.