As December 2025 draws to a close, West Africa's offshore oil and gas industry demonstrates steady momentum, driven by conferences, acquisitions, seismic advancements, and ongoing projects amid a challenging market for crude sales.
The MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference, held 8-10 December in Dakar, spotlighted deepwater prospects in the Mauritania-Senegal-Gambia-Guinea-Bissau-Guinea-Conakry basin.
New seismic data highlighted frontier geology, while discussions emphasised LNG progress, green hydrogen, and investment opportunities in onshore/offshore blocks, particularly in The Gambia and Guinea-Conakry.
In Angola, Viridien launched a 4,300 sq km seismic reimaging programme over offshore Block 22 in the Kwanza Basin on 10 December, applying advanced technologies to support upcoming licensing rounds and enhance pre- and post-salt imaging.
BW Energy, in consortium with Maurel & Prom, announced on 12 December the acquisition of a combined 20% non-operated interest (BW's share: 10%) in Blocks 14 and 14K from Azule Energy (BP-Eni JV).
This marks BW's entry into Angola's mature deepwater sector, operated by Chevron, adding immediate production and upside potential.Investor interest persists in deepwater areas across Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana, bolstered by regulatory reforms and gas-focused policies.
ExxonMobil continues its planned US$1.5bn investment to revive Nigeria's Usan field, while Valaris secured a drillship contract for West Africa operations.
However, West African crude faces sales difficulties, with unsold cargoes for December-January loading due to global surplus and competition from cheaper supplies.
Ongoing milestones include the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project, which achieved first gas earlier in 2025 and is ramping up production.
The sector anticipates 2026 startups and final investment decisions, positioning West Africa for sustained growth despite market headwinds.(Word count: 348)
