President Ali Bongo Ondimba addressing the UN General Assembly in September 2017
Gabonese incentives reform pays off
An enhanced regulatory and fiscal framework appears to be attracting IOC and NOC exploration interest
Newly appointed Gabonese hydrocarbons minister Noel Mboumba will point to evidence that the recent petroleum code overhaul is rebuilding investor confidence when he embarks on a promotional drive. Houston-based West African producer Vaalco said in late August that it was expecting delivery in early September of a jack-up rig to commence a its 2019-20 drilling campaign. The firm plans to drill first an appraisal well, followed by a development well, at its Etame field, promising a further appraisal well and up to two more development wells later this year and early next. The firm also extended its lease contract for its Gabonese floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to S
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
