A new gas pipeline in Tanzania, which will run from Mtwara in the south east to Dar es Salaam, is scheduled for completion in 2014. The pipeline will include around a 500km stretch on land and a 30km long stretch through the Indian Ocean. The pipeline is part of a larger project, part funded by Exim Bank of China, which will include construction of gas processing plants at Madimba in Mtwara and Songo Songo Island in Lindi, as well as two new...

The discovery of gas condensate in a pre-salt layer earlier this year has raised expectations that Gabon is on the verge of an offshore oil windfall that could offset declining output from mature fields and provide much needed finance to the domestic economy. The government hopes that new discoveries will eventually raise oil production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from a projected 230,000 bpd in 2014. In October, Gabon awarded various...

New deep-water oil and gas systems could provide Gabon with a timely boost and help offset declining output from large, mature fields over the coming decade. Exploration in 2013 has resulted in discovery of pre-salt oil and gas systems and raised expectations that the country has substantial pre-salt potential. The government is determined to adopt a more assertive role in extracting value from its natural resources. Over the past few years, it...

Untapped gas fields should present Tanzania with an import new source of income, particularly as recent discoveries and new possibilities in off-shore gas fields could double its proven reserves to around 100 trillion cubic feet by 2015. New discoveries and vast potential reserves are expected to prompt substantial investment in gas exploration, extraction and LNG refining capacity over the next few years, as well as the supporting...

The Democratic Republic of Congo is clearly a risky place to do business but companies continue to be attracted by its vast and varied natural resources and are increasingly drawn to growth opportunities beyond the mining sector. The government has ambitious development plans, which would receive a boost if on-going discussions with neighbouring countries can find a way to bring peace to the conflict ridden eastern...