Perenco

Cameroon
Tensions run high between Sinopec and national oil company SNH

The failure of Chinese executives to produce results from mature deposits is putting pressure on the leadership of the state-owned major Sinopec.

Equatorial Guinea
Future of Zafiro oil field still unclear

US junior oil company Hunt Oil and oil services company Baker Hughes have signed a memorandum of understanding with Malabo with the aim of saving this mature field off the island of Bioko.

Angola, DRC
Luanda's consul general in Lubumbashi close to intelligence services

The importance of the relationship between Angola and the DRC has led President Lourenço to appoint a powerful consul general in the heart of the Haut-Katanga mining region.

Congo
AOGC sparks the interest of the presidential clan

President Denis Sassou-Nguesso's daughter, Joujou, is discreetly preparing for a takeover of the company, with Jean-Claude Ngambou, current CEO of Hemla Congo, and Gilbert Ondongo, former advisor to the Congolese finance minister.

Gabon
Gunvor delays completing financing for GOC's purchase of Tullow's oil assets

The Geneva-based trader is to lend the crucial funds needed for the takeover of Tullow Oil by Gabon's state oil company. But the financial arrangements and bureaucracy in Libreville are slowing down the deal's official announcement.

The New Guard
Senegal, Kenya, Congo

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

SenegalSouleymane Gassama, aka Elgas, a multi-talented writer and researcher

KenyaCheptum Toroitich, lawyer pushing for greater democracy

CongoLouis-Raymond Gomes, modernising and diversifying the business scene

DRC
Kinshasa hands over Lake Albert's blocks I & II to state-owned oil company

Noting the lack of interest from the majors, the council of ministers has endorsed the hydrocarbon ministry's proposal to entrust Albertine Graben's oil assets to the state-owned company Sonahydroc.

DRC
François Perrodo's secret trips to Muanda following Perenco audit announcement

The management of the French-British oil group Perenco, owned by the Perrodo family, has been mobilising since it was informed on 10 December that its DR Congo subsidiary will be audited.

Gabon
Perenco and GOC battle it out to buy Tullow Oil

The race to acquire Tullow's assets in Gabon has picked up pace and the staff of the state-owned Gabon Oil Co are now determined to come out on top.

Angola
Israeli businessman Gilad Myerson makes a new wager on Azule Energy

Myerson has set his sights on offshore oil in Southern Africa. Seeking to replicate his recent success with ENI in the North Sea, he has founded a new company for the endeavour.

Congo
AOGC boss makes implausible oil production boost boast

Oil firms are often overly optimistic when estimating the amount they produce, and will happily inflate their figures by a few thousand barrels. But Africa Oil and Gas Corp (AOGC) director general Jean-Christophe Da Silva recently took this hyperbole to a whole new level.

DRC
Perenco hit with two state-mandated audits

The Congolese hydrocarbon ministry has commissioned two companies to carry out detailed audits of Franco-British energy company Perenco's oil business in the country. These reports should shed light on the firm's actual oil production, as well as its environmental impact.

Equatorial Guinea
State-owned GEPetrol contacts SLB and Halliburton to turn around Zafiro oilfield

Once Equatorial Guinea's largest oilfield in terms of volume produced, Zafiro's throughput is continuing to fall. This has prompted the government to consult several firms to find solutions as quickly as possible.