Balance of power: energy minister Thierry Tanoh was sacked by President Alassane
Explorers mull Côte d’Ivoire campaigns
Tullow, BP and CNR are among IOCs with drilling plans
Attractive licensing terms and a revamped acreage map have put Côte d'Ivoire firmly back on the radar for explorers. But the country could do with an early discovery to persuade international oil companies (IOC) to convert positive plans into substantial drilling campaigns. Abidjan has been pushing hard to ensure that IOCs maintain interest in an upstream sector that has promised much but delivered few oil and gas discoveries in recent years. A dry well drilled by Ophir Energy in 2017 paved the way for that company's exit from the country. These days, terms for explorers in Côte d'Ivoire are viewed as being amongst the most competitive in Africa. Bernard Looney, BP's head of upstream, praise
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
