CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 2, 2025 – Gabon is calling for fresh investment in oil and gas sector, with officials emphasizing the development of marginal oil fields to counter production declines linked to aging reservoirs.
The country is positioning itself as an attractive frontier for investors by leveraging energy reforms, new technologies, and established infrastructure.
At the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, Aristide P. Nyamat Bantsiva, General Director of Upstream Oil and Gas, outlined Gabon’s renewed strategy to revitalize production and harness untapped resources.
He noted that the government is eager to expand international partnerships and strengthen sustainable growth through the modernization of existing assets.
Unlocking Opportunities in Gabon’s Oil and Gas Sector
During a session titled “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Gabon’s Oil & Gas Sector”, Bantsiva stressed that Gabon’s Hydrocarbon Code reforms, introduced in 2019, provide flexible production sharing contracts and tax incentives.
These reforms are designed to make investment in Gabon’s oil and gas sector more attractive to foreign and local operators.
The country currently has over 30 marginal discoveries across both onshore and offshore blocks.
By focusing on these opportunities, Gabon aims to counter natural declines from mature fields while stimulating new exploration and development.
“The advancement of technology has allowed us to review and rediscover blocks previously considered inaccessible.
Through technical workshops and statutory meetings, we will continue to monitor the overall performance of these assets, including safety, production, people and budget,” Bantsiva said.
Vast Untapped Potential
Gabon holds more than two billion barrels of proven oil reserves, along with significant untapped natural gas resources.
Despite this potential, only 27.5% of its total 255,104 km² acreage is licensed, leaving nearly 185,000 km² open for exploration and development.
“The government, through partnerships with operators such as Perenco, BW Energy, and the state-owned Gabon Oil Company, is deploying enhanced oil recovery technologies and redeveloping underutilized assets,” Bantsiva explained.
“To fully tap into our deepwater basins, we require additional technical expertise and significant new capital.”
This underscores Gabon’s invitation to global players who are looking for long-term investment in Gabon’s oil and gas sector.
Major Projects Underway
Independent energy company Perenco is spearheading one of Gabon’s largest investments with a $2 billion development at the Cap Lopez LNG terminal.
This project includes a floating LNG vessel capable of producing 700,000 tons of LNG and 25,000 tons of LPG annually, with 137,000 cubic meters of storage.
Meanwhile, BW Energy has signed production sharing contracts for the Niosi Marin and Guduma Marin blocks in 2024.
These agreements cover an eight-year exploration period with an optional two-year extension, underscoring investor confidence in Gabon’s energy future.
Established Infrastructure and Strong Government Support
One of Gabon’s advantages lies in its existing energy infrastructure.
The country boasts over 225 km of gas pipelines, seven million barrels of storage capacity, and a functional refinery system. With this foundation, investors can scale projects faster and more efficiently than in many frontier markets.
Bantsiva emphasized that Gabon’s government remains committed to supporting energy investors.
“With established infrastructure and proactive policies, Gabon offers a compelling opportunity for investors to be part of the next chapter in Africa’s energy story. Our oil basin is rich in history and ripe for innovation,” he said.
Strategic Call for Investors
By aligning favorable policies, technological advances, and strong public-private partnerships, Gabon is presenting itself as a destination of choice for oil and gas companies.
As global demand for energy continues to rise, investment in Gabon’s oil and gas sector is being positioned as a key driver for both national growth and Africa’s wider energy security.
With vast untapped acreage, ongoing LNG projects, and opportunities in marginal fields, Gabon’s strategy is clear: attract long-term investors who can support exploration, production, and downstream development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
SOURCE: African Energy Chamber
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