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African energy producers increase oil and gas production as Middle East supply blockaded
25/3/2026
News
Oil and gas projects in North and Southern Africa are starting production while an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the current Middle East conflict disrupts the global oil market.
Partners of the New Gas Consortium (NGC) have announced the official start of offshore production at the Quiluma field in Angola, Southern Africa. The project is the first ‘non-associated’ gas development in the country's history, focusing specifically on natural gas rather than gas produced as a byproduct of oil extraction.
The project is operated by Azule Energy, a joint venture between BP and Eni with collaborative partners Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (Chevron), Sonangol and TotalEnergies. Initial gas exports from the Quiluma field have commenced at a rate of 4.25mn m3/d. Operators expect a steady ramp-up throughout 2026, eventually reaching a plateau of 9.34mn m3/d.
‘This project marks an important step for Angola's energy system and strengthens the country's energy mix as it looks to enhance its position as a global player in the natural gas market,’ said Gordon Birrell, BP’s Executive Vice President for production and operations.
The Quiluma start-up follows the November 2025 inauguration of the project’s gas treatment plant in Soyo. It is the latest in a string of operations for Azule Energy, which recently saw oil production start at the 175,000 b/d Agogo field (July 2025) and the 60,000 b/d Ndungu development (February 2026).
In North Africa, TotalEnergies has successfully restarted production at the Mabruk oil field in Libya. Production at the onshore site had been suspended since 2015. The restart follows the rapid construction of a new production unit with a capacity of 25,000 b/d, according to the TotalEnergies’ announcement. After construction launched in May 2024, the facility officially started up in February 2026.
‘This restart illustrates our long-term commitment in Libya, as we celebrate TotalEnergies’ 70th anniversary in the country this year,’ stated Julien Pouget, the company’s Middle East and North Africa Director.
Simultaneously, Eni has announced two gas discoveries following a recent offshore exploration campaign. The adjacent structures, Bahr Essalam South 2 (BESS 2) and Bahr Essalam South 3 (BESS 3), were successfully drilled roughly 85 km off the Libyan coast. Preliminary data from Eni indicates the two structures jointly contain over 28.3bn m3 of gas. Due to their proximity to the Bahr Essalam field, Eni plans for a ‘rapid development’ by tying the new fields back to existing infrastructure. The gas is earmarked for both the Libyan domestic market and export to Italy.
Wider oil and gas production context
South Africa-based advocacy group African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) 2026 Outlook projects that this year will see $41bn in upstream investment and production hitting 11.4mn b/d. In addition to the projects above, the report highlights developments elsewhere:
Oil developments
- Tilenga project (Uganda): An onshore development near Lake Albert with 70% completion as of late 2025, first oil is expected in June 2026, peaking at 190,000 b/d.
- Baleine Phase 3 (Ivory Coast): Eni’s expansion aims for 150,000 b/d by early 2029, notably featuring Africa’s first net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions plan.
Gas and LNG
- ANOH gas project (Nigeria): This plant began commercial operations in May 2025, processing 8.50mn m3of wet gas daily and also producing dry gas, condensate and LPG.
- Congo LNG (Republic of Congo): The Nguya floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit, an Eni project, is expected online by mid-2026, bringing total capacity to 3mn t/y.
- Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Phase 2 (Mauritania/Senegal): Following successful exports in 2025, BP is planning a $3–$5bn expansion to add up to 3mn t/y of LNG capacity.
- Tennin field (Egypt): An offshore discovery holding an estimated 28.32bn m3 of gas, intended to feed the Damietta LNG plant by 2029.
- Tendrara Phase 2 (Morocco): The second phase of the Tendrara project will supply the domestic power sector via a new 120 km pipeline starting in 2028.
Diversification and synergy projects
- Virginia gas project (South Africa): Renergen is expanding onshore operations to produce both LNG and liquid helium, with a commercial launch targeted for January 2028.
- The YoYo gas project (Cameroon): This offshore gas-condensate discovery in the Douala Basin is part of the cross-border YoYo-Yolanda field with Equatorial Guinea. A 2023 accord allows development via Equatorial Guinea’s gas mega hub, supporting LNG and downstream industries. Commercial operation is set for January 2028.
- Bourarhet Nord project (Algeria): State-owned oil and gas company Sonatrach is working with international partners to develop block 242 in the Illizi and Berkine basins, targeting both oil and gas resources from Lower Devonian reservoirs. Full operations are scheduled for January 2030.
