In the past twelve months, new offshore projects in Ivory Coast, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo (ROC) have opened up significant opportunities for European service providers equipped with cutting-edge technologies in drilling, engineering, and subsea services. This surge in activity has led to the awarding of substantial contracts to European companies, supporting oil and gas exploration efforts across sub-Saharan Africa. The upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum, making its return to Paris in May 2024 for its second edition, will serve as a dynamic platform for service companies to engage with African upstream projects and establish impactful partnerships. Here are the top five service contracts, by value, awarded to European companies in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023:
- Saipem, Ivory Coast: $400 million
- Last March, Saipem, an Italian multinational, secured a $400-million contract for the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines of the Baleine Phase 2 Project offshore Ivory Coast. The project, operated by Eni and Petroci, involves the installation of approximately 20 km of rigid lines, 10 km of flexible risers and jumpers, and 15 km of umbilicals using Saipem’s modern vessels.
- TechnipFMC, Angola: $75-250 million
- In February, French service company TechnipFMC secured a significant contract for the Girassol Life Extension Project in Angola, involving the engineering, procurement, and supply of flexible pipes and connectors for the offshore Girassol field. This project, led by TotalEnergies and Block 17 partners, marks the region’s first subsea life extension initiative.
- TechnipFMC, Angola: $75-250 million
- In June, TechnipFMC secured another contract in Angola with Azule Energy for subsea production systems in the Block 18 infills development offshore. The project, TechnipFMC’s first subsea production systems contract with Azule Energy, aims to support Azule’s production increase plan by reconfiguring the existing field layout.
- Saipem, Congo-Brazzaville: $100 million
- In October, Saipem secured a $100-million contract with Eni Congo for the conversion of the Scarabeo 5 semi-submersible drilling unit into a floating production unit (FPU) as part of the Congo LNG Project. This FPU will serve as a semi-submersible production platform, contributing to the project’s LNG production capacity of three million tons per year.
- Petrofac, Ivory Coast: Multi-million-dollar contract
- In July, Petrofac, an international energy services company, secured a multi-million-dollar integrated services contract with CNR International for the FPSO Espoir Ivoirien offshore Ivory Coast. The three-year deal involves Petrofac’s Asset Solutions business delivering integrated services for the FPSO, strengthening its presence in Africa.
Explore collaboration opportunities between European service providers and African upstream projects at the Invest in African Energy forum, offering a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation between European investors and Africa’s leading energy hotspots. The event, organized by Energy Capital & Power with support from the African Energy Chamber, is set to take place on May 14–15, 2024. Delegates will have the chance to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and project developers over the two-day forum.
