The current political uncertainty in North Africa may have significant implications for the region's oil and gas industry.
Africa is on an upward growth curve. Learn more about the role oil and gas companies can play.
North Africa
The current political uncertainty in North Africa may have significant implications for the region's oil and gas industry.
Until the political situation is settled, operations are likely to be constrained and/or disrupted and new investment postponed. The sub region's industry has broadly remained open to the international oil companies (IOC's), particularly the European "majors," as well as to the specialized independents, both large and small. Investment is usually through production sharing agreements (PSAs) with the state oil companies.
West Africa
West African activity has taken off in the last decade, driven particularly by advances in offshore technology.
Angola became the newest member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel in January 2007, and has become one of Africa's leading producers, threatening to overtake the long-time leading producer, Nigeria.
South and East Africa
The rapid growth of Sudan has been driven primarily by Asian state-owned investors, notably CNPC, Petronas and ONGC. They quickly filled the void when Western investment dried up because of political/reputational risk and international sanctions.
Now one of Africa's leading producers, the country is faced with the secession of the southern portion of the country and the inevitably controversial management of the oil and gas resources.
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