Page 10 - AfrOil Week 38

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In the Eastern Mediterranean, Energean is eye- Under the latest proposals – which involve
ing a return to exploration work as it prepares a different offshore region – Shell would form
for production to start at the Karish field. The an exploration unit covering 86,400 acres (350
London-listed company has signed gas sales square km) and 18 Alaska Beaufort Sea state off-
deals worth over $2.5bn and it hopes to add to shore leases that it holds.
its already significant resources with nearfield Shell said it had identified several prospects
developments. within these leases that it believes could hold oil
Meanwhile, Iraq is resuming efforts to and gas accumulations. The company is propos- Shale gas
re-launch the Iraq National Oil Co. (INOC) fol- ing to update seismic and geological data in 2022
lowing a failed attempt two years ago. Baghdad and 2023, followed by exploration drilling that producer EQT
will hope that putting full control of the sector in would be conducted in 2024 and 2025.
the hands of one company will result in a stream- The work would be carried out in West Har- is reported to
lined approach; however, given the country’s rison Bay, which is located offshore the National
record with corruption, there are fears about the Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). be pursuing an
consolidation of power. In a separate development – and one that acquisition in
could also considered noteworthy during a
If you’d like to read more about the key events shaping severe industry downturn – shale gas producer the Appalachian
the Middle East’s oil and gas sector then please click EQT is reported to be pursuing an acquisition in
here for NewsBase’s MEOG Monitor. the Appalachian Basin. basin
The company, which is the largest US gas pro-
North America: Shell pursues exploration ducer by volume, has reportedly put in a bid for
Royal Dutch Shell (UK/Netherlands) has filed Chevron’s Appalachian gas assets, according to
plans to start oil and gas exploration in state sources familiar with the matter, who were cited
waters offshore Alaska. by Reuters.
The proposals, which come during a chal- According to one of these sources, EQT has
lenging year when many in the industry are offered $750mn for the properties.
staying away from new offshore drilling, come
after the super-major abandoned exploration If you’d like to read more about the key events shaping
in federal waters off Alaska in 2015 following a the North American oil and gas sector then please click
series of mishaps during drilling. here for NewsBase’s NorthAmOil Monitor.™

PIPELINES & TRANSPORT
Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire develop

new fuel infrastructure

GHANA/COTE D’IVOIRE GHANA has launched West Africa’s largest oil petroleum products, the government has said,
products terminal, while neighbouring Cote and will meet over half of Ghana’s demand for
d’Ivoire is to build the largest LPG storage facil- these fuels.
ity in sub-Saharan Africa. “This project ties in with the government’s
The terminal in Ghana’s western port of drive towards ensuring efficiency in the coun-
Takoradi was inaugurated by the West Afri- try’s port operations by allowing for deeper
can country’s Vice-President Mahamudu anchoring and also to make it a major petro-
Bawumia in a ceremony on September 16. It will leum hub in the sub-region,” Bawumia said at
unload vessels carrying up to 60,000 tonnes of the ceremony.

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 38 23•September•2020