West Africa revival
More oil output can be expected from West Africa in 2017, even if the recovery in upstream activity will be modest
A mild recovery in West African oil will take place in 2017, offering a contrast to the region's experience in 2016. Production will rise and some firms will chase new targets in the upstream. The coming year should see a gradual revival in exploration activity offshore some of West Africa's less-explored countries. ExxonMobil plans to spud a well in Liberia before the end of 2016 or in early 2017. Offshore Côte d'Ivoire, American independent Anadarko is conducting exploration and appraisal of its Paon discovery from 2012. After a successful appraisal on Block CI-103, two more wells are to be drilled on CI-527 and 528 before the end of 2016 or in early 2017 to assess similar-aged sands. Effo
Also in this section
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment
