Gabon’s production set for further expansion

But significant discoveries are likely needed to prevent output from sliding again later this decade

Gabon’s mature oil sector is poised for renewed growth, led by development of the Dussafu block. The Hibiscus/Ruche Phase 1 project on the block is on pace to produce its first oil by the end of March, says the operator, Norway’s BW Energy, with drilling having started in early January. The 20km pipeline connection to the BW Aldo floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit—which already serves the in-production Tortue field—has also been completed. Drilling and “asset updates” on Hibiscus/Ruche Phase 1 will be completed “through 2023 and into early 2024”, says Carl Krogh Arnet, CEO of BW. After the first quarter of this year, “production is expected to increase progressively, as