Driven by efforts by African oil and gas producers to accelerate the exploitation and monetization of their vast hydrocarbon resources, Africa is emerging as a hive for onshore drilling campaigns for global majors, independents and local explorers alike in 2023 and beyond – according the African Energy Chamber (AEC)’s The State of the African Energy: 2023 Outlook.
In part, operators are diversifying their portfolios across Africa’s hydrocarbon-rich basins, with onshore drilling remaining less costly yet offering significant growth opportunities for junior and independent explorers seeking to expand their operations.
Both greenfield and brownfield investments will drive Africa’s onshore oil and gas drilling market in 2023, with East and North African markets particularly set to dominate the upstream space.
Algeria
Following significant oil and gas discoveries made onshore by national oil company Sonatrach in the Illizi, Bechar and Berkine North basins earlier this year, Algeria is maximizing its onshore exploration investments, with several projects set to materialize in 2023. A Production Sharing Contract signed by Sonatrach, Eni, Oxy and TotalEnergies for Blocks 404 and 208 – as well as a move made by the Turkish and Algerian Governments to form a new joint oil and gas exploration company – will drive investments in onshore drilling activities across the North African country, as it seeks to rise energy reserves and output.
Chad
With Chad seeking to unlock the full potential of its hydrocarbon resources, the country’s brownfield investments in 2023 will target increasing domestic reserves and output, placing the country among Africa’s largest spenders in onshore drilling, according to the AEC. Onshore drilling activities in the Doba Basin by companies like Savannah Energy, Petronas are expected to drive the country’s upstream revival. The government is also targeting increased use of the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline to maximize monetization of its resources and ensure regional energy security.
Kenya
Ongoing exploration developments in the Lamu and South Lokichar basins in Kenya by companies including Tullow Oil, TotalEnergies, Africa Oil Corporation and Eni are positioning the East African nation among the major drivers of onshore drilling in 2023. With large-scale investment of up to US$ 3.4 billion required to develop the South Lokichar project, TotalEnergies, Africa Oil Corporation and Tullow Oil have reworked the project’s development plan and are seeking additional investment and development partners, with talks underway with India’s ONGC Videsh to fast-track implementation of the project.
Libya
With International Oil Companies like Repsol expanding their exploration activities in-country, Sarir Oil Operations Company seeking drilling rigs for new onshore exploration of the Sirte Basin, and Libya’s National Oil Corporation ramping up exploration activities in 2023, the North African producer is well positioned to increase its national reserves and production capacity. The country’s onshore basins – which remain largely untapped – present massive opportunities for Libya to Increase its output and monetize its natural resources. With the demand for natural gas rising rapidly across the globe, Libya’s onshore basins have the unique potential to alleviate the current energy crisis in neighboring European countries.
Uganda
Mainly driven by Greenfield projects, Uganda is set to lead onshore drilling plans, with projects such as the Kingfisher Conventional Oil and Tilenga Developments shaping the country’s wider upstream landscape. In last May, TotalEnergies selected oilfield services provider Schlumberger for the provision of drilling services for its US$10-billion Tilenga project, starting in the 4th quarter of 2022. Chinese oilfield services firm Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau also announced the completion of a test for its 1501 rig for deployment in Tilenga.