Gabon’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Sosthene NguemaNguema, has confirmed his participation as a keynote speaker at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 conference, set to take place on 3–4 September in Luanda. The Minister’s attendance underscores Gabon’s evolving energy strategy, which now prioritises deepwater exploration and production as a cornerstone of its economic transformation.
With approximately 72% of Gabon’s deepwater acreage still unexplored, the Central African nation is repositioning itself as a frontier destination for upstream investment. This shift aligns with broader regional ambitions to capitalise on Africa’s offshore hydrocarbon potential. Angola, which has long been a continental leader in deepwater production, presents a logical partner for knowledge transfer, technology exchange, and collaborative project development.
In pursuit of its revised production targets — aiming to reach 220,000 barrels per day (bpd) — Gabon is undertaking a comprehensive revision of its 2019 Hydrocarbons Code. This legislative overhaul is designed to enhance the attractiveness of its upstream sector by reforming production sharing contracts, fiscal terms, and profit-sharing mechanisms. By refining its regulatory landscape, Gabon seeks to offer a more competitive environment for international oil companies and independent explorers alike.
Several major operators have already deepened their presence in Gabon’s offshore domain. BW Energy and VAALCO Energy, for instance, recently signed production sharing contracts for the Niosi Marin and Guduma Marin exploration blocks. These agreements cover an initial eight-year exploration phase, with a two-year extension option. Planned activities include drilling of an exploratory well and execution of a 3D seismic acquisition campaign.
Meanwhile, Perenco has made significant strides with the Hylia South West discovery, announced in early 2024. The well revealed extensive oil-bearing columns within the Ntchengue Ocean reservoir, marking a promising addition to Gabon’s growing inventory of commercial deepwater finds. Similarly, CNOOC commenced wildcat drilling on Blocks BC-9 and BCD-10 in 2023, with the aim of delineating a new hydrocarbon province in the country’s underexplored offshore regions.
In parallel, Angola’s deepwater development trajectory continues to set benchmarks across the continent. The majority of the country’s one million bpd of crude oil production originates from the offshore fields of Cabinda and the Lower Congo Basin. Among the most notable current projects is the Agogo Integrated West Hub, led by Azule Energy, which is poised to add 120,000 bpd to Block 15/06 when it commences operations in the second half of 2025.
Angola is also progressing its first non-associated gas project, incorporating the Cameia and Golfinho fields. Spearheaded by the New Gas Consortium, the initiative targets initial gas output by 2026 and is expected to significantly boost monetisation of the country’s gas reserves. Additionally, the Kaminho deepwater development in the offshore Kwanza Basin — having reached final investment decision in 2024 — is scheduled for production commencement by 2028, with anticipated yields of 70,000 bpd via a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.
This confluence of efforts marks a turning point for deepwater energy cooperation in Central Africa. By leveraging Angola’s extensive expertise in ultra-deepwater project management and production systems, Gabon stands to accelerate the maturation of its own offshore sector. Minister NguemaNguema’s attendance at AOG 2025 thus represents more than symbolic diplomacy; it signals Gabon’s active pursuit of regional partnerships aimed at fostering investment, enhancing technical capability, and ultimately redefining its role in the continental energy landscape.
The forthcoming AOG 2025 forum is expected to catalyse dialogue between policymakers, operators, and investors, bolstering cross-border synergies in one of the world’s most prospective offshore frontiers.
