Savannah strikes it lucky in the Sahara

UK independent can develop its Agadem field on the back of a major funding boost and pipeline access to world markets

British independent Savannah Petroleum is preparing to complete the Seven Energy gas deal in Nigeria—a move that will equip it with the financial clout to develop its Agadem field oil assets in neighbouring Niger. The news comes just weeks after Chinese major CNPC signed a cross-border pipeline deal with Benin and Niger that opens up Savannah’s prospects of exporting to the world market. Since 2014, Savannah’s five exploration wells have produced five discoveries in Agadem, a remote region on the fringes of the Sahara. Funding constraints have so far delayed investment to bring these into production—but this obstacle should soon be lifted by the somewhat-delayed Seven transaction. The London