TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and SNPC secure Congo’s Nzombo exploration permit, planning drilling by 2025, strengthening partnerships and leveraging existing infrastructure.
TotalEnergies, in partnership with QatarEnergy and the national oil company of the Republic of the Congo, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), has secured a significant new opportunity in the country’s offshore energy sector. The consortium has been officially awarded the Nzombo exploration permit, a promising area located in the deep offshore region of the Republic of the Congo.
Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will serve as the operator with a 50% stake, while QatarEnergy holds 35%, and SNPC maintains a 15% share. This balanced partnership highlights not only the commitment of global energy leaders to the region but also the importance of integrating national entities in the development of strategic resources.
The Nzombo permit covers a total area of approximately 1,000 square kilometers and is situated nearly 100 kilometers off the coast of Pointe-Noire. Its location is especially advantageous because it lies in proximity to the Moho production facilities, which are already operated by TotalEnergies EP Congo. This closeness to existing infrastructure provides an efficient and cost-effective pathway for potential development, should the exploration activities yield commercially viable discoveries.
As part of the initial work program, the consortium is preparing to drill one exploration well within the permit area. The drilling operation is planned to commence before the end of 2025, marking a critical step in assessing the true potential of the Nzombo prospect.
Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice President of Exploration at TotalEnergies, emphasized the strategic importance of this new exploration award. He stated that the Nzombo permit aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and diversify its global exploration portfolio. According to him, the project represents a high-impact opportunity that can be developed by leveraging existing infrastructure, ensuring both efficiency and sustainability in operations.
McLachlan also underscored that this achievement reaffirms the longstanding partnership between TotalEnergies and the Republic of the Congo, a relationship built over decades of collaboration in the oil and gas sector. By continuing to invest in Congolese exploration projects, TotalEnergies demonstrates its confidence in the geological potential of the region as well as its commitment to contributing to the country’s energy development.
For the Republic of the Congo, the award of the Nzombo exploration permit signals another step forward in attracting international investment and expanding its hydrocarbon sector. With the involvement of both established global companies and its own national oil company, the project carries the promise of economic growth, employment opportunities, and further integration of Congolese resources into the global energy market.
