Vaalco eyes West African opportunities
The independent US explorer has expanded in Gabon and is looking elsewhere in the region
Houston-based independent Vaalco sees growing opportunity in West Africa as the oil majors trim their portfolios, chief executive George Maxwell tells Petroleum Economist. Vaalco recently almost doubled its stake in Gabon’s Etame field to 58.8pc by acquiring the interest of its former partner, South African energy and petrochemicals company Sasol. That acquisition took the company “to the next level”, Maxwell says, as Etame serves as a stable, secure and cash-generative base for further expansion. Vaalco CEO George Maxwell The firm is “looking to find highly accretive opportunities” for further growth, Maxwell says, with interest “prima

Also in this section
15 May 2025
Financial problems, lack of exploration success and political dogma cause uncertainty across much of the region
14 May 2025
The invisible hand of the market has seen increasing transparency but much more needs to be done to build a better understanding
13 May 2025
A fall in Venezuelan output drives overall production lower, as Saudi Arabia starts to slowly bring more crude to the market
12 May 2025
With the gas industry’s staunchest advocates and opponents taking brutal blows, the sector looks like treading a path of insipid indifference