JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 24, 2023/ — The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org), the voice of Africa’s energy sector, is proud to announce that H.E. Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, will speak at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris on the 1st of June.
The event aims to facilitate connections between European investors and African executives, and with H.E. Minister Itoua’s participation, insight into one of Africa’s most exciting E&P players will be provided.
H.E. Itoua brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of the oil and gas industry, having served as the Head of the National Petroleum Company of Congo for seven years. Itoua’s impressive professional career in the energy sector and his strong academic background in engineering and business administration make him the perfect candidate to manage the up-and-coming developments in Congo’s oil and gas sector, as evidenced by his appointment as the President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for 2022.
Under Itoua’s leadership, the Republic of Congo has made significant strides in maximizing its hydrocarbon industry. Through policy reforms and various upstream, midstream, and downstream expansion campaigns such as the Gas Master Plan, the Minister has promoted local content and capacity-building programs aimed at boosting the country’s entire hydrocarbon sector.
These efforts have resulted in Congo becoming one of Africa’s largest oil producers and have positioned it to become one of the next countries to join the list of Africa’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers.
One such effort is the ongoing Litchendjili Gas Project, which transitions Congo into a regional clean energy powerhouse and a global gas hub. With the country’s ten trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, the Republic of Congo is attracting significant investment in its natural gas industry.
Eni Congo’s recent agreement with Wison Heavy Industry to construct its second floating LNG (FLNG) facility in Congo, with a capacity of 2.4 million tons of gas per annum, is a significant step towards maximizing its gas operations for both domestic use and export to meet Europe’s growing energy demand. The FLNG facility is part of Eni’s gas valorization plan in the Marine XII block offshore Congo, with a goal of increasing LNG production to three million tons per year by 2025.
The Minister has played a vital role in promoting Congo’s natural gas industry and attracting foreign investment. He has collaborated closely with companies like Eni Congo to develop the Marine XII block and establish Congo as a major player in the global LNG market.
The recently signed ten-year contract between Eni Congo and Expro Group for the development of an onshore LNG pre-treatment plant will further boost LNG production for local electricity generation, supporting Congo’s gas monetization agenda and contributing to GDP growth. In short, H.E. Itoua’s impressive leadership has helped position Congo as a key player in the global energy market, with a promising future ahead.
“We are delighted to have H.E. Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, the Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, join us at the Invest in African Energy reception in Paris. His attendance further highlights the importance of Africa as a key player in the global energy industry and the potential for collaboration between European investors and African executives. We look forward to hearing his insights on investment opportunities in Africa’s energy sector,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
H.E. Itoua’s attendance at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris and his presentation on investment opportunities in gas, marginal field, and exploration in the Congo highlights the country’s commitment to maximizing its hydrocarbon industry. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the energy sector, he will be instrumental in connecting potential investors with new oil and gas opportunities in the country.
