Exploration Momentum Builds in Africa with Better Tech, Deeper Data
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Energy sector leaders at the U.S.-Africa Energy Forum in Houston outlined a surge of promising exploration opportunities across Africa, underscoring the untapped potential of frontier basins and the critical role of new seismic technology and data in attracting investment.
TGS CEO Kristian Johansen emphasized the role of seismic data in de-risking exploration, noting that TGS holds a 3D seismic library covering over 60% of Africa’s industry and 75% when it comes to 2D seismic. “Exploration is a marathon, not a sprint,” Johansen said. “You can’t chase after hotspots – by then it’s too late. You have to be patient and keep investing in the cycles.”
He added that while Africa’s subsurface potential is well-established, success hinges on navigating above-ground risks. Countries like Angola, Namibia and Nigeria, he noted, are setting the pace through policy reforms and regional knowledge-sharing.
Former Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Eric Williams highlighted the renewed interest in resources once considered marginal. “Legacy data shows many resources were bypassed because they were not seen as valuable,” Williams said. He emphasized gas’s evolving role – not just as an export commodity but as a key domestic energy source to support Africa’s electrification ambitions.
In Nigeria, Heirs Energies Managing Director & CEO Osayande Igiehon spotlighted offshore deep plays with vast remaining reserves. “We still have around one billion barrels to recover from OML 17,” he said, highlighting that improved seismic quality has been key for independent players driving recent production gains.
Meanwhile, NOV’s Senior Vice President for Operators and Geographical Sales Cobie Loper stressed that technological innovation in deepwater drilling, particularly in water injection systems enhanced by AI, could significantly improve operational uptime in challenging environments: “We see a lot of opportunity in the water injection space,” he noted.
SLB’s Global Chief Explorationist Mohamed El-Toukhy pointed to multiple underexplored frontier basins in Namibia, Ivory Coast, Angola, Kenya and Mozambique. “What Africa has to offer to the industry are frontier areas… There are plenty of resources that are not explored, as well as a wealth of opportunity to explore near-field prospects,” he said, urging companies to consider infrastructure planning alongside seismic data acquisition to fully realize these resources.