A few words from our Technical Committee Chair
Helen Doran

The world has changed significantly since the last PESGB/HGS Africa conference in London; this year’s conference reflects that considerable change.

The new-look virtual event sees, for the first time, the introduction of a new energy transition session including the themes of CCUS and Geothermal. We are delighted to have global CCUS expert Phil Ringrose open the conference, addressing the potential for CO2 storage in Africa with insight into his joint research in the Rovuma. Several talks on Geothermal make an appearance for the first time. The geothermal resources within the EARS system have long been established through historical activity, but the conference also explores the potential for lower temperature opportunities across north Africa.

Operators in Africa have become acutely aware that all barrels are not equal, with many focusing on Infrastructure-led exploration and the search for more resilient barrels, where time to first production and the carbon intensity of the project become fundamental drivers. This years’ conference dedicates a session to resilient exploration, which precedes an exciting panel discussion. Host Selma Usiku and Keith Myers ask our experienced panel members what they view as the opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s energy future. Listen to Amalia Olivera Riley (Tullow Oil), Jasper Peijs (Independent), Ian Cloke (Afentra), Duncan Wallace (Chariot) and Eric Hathon (Cairn Energy) giving their unique perspectives.

No PESGB Africa conference would be complete without in-depth technical sessions on the geology of the continent. Day two is a technical deep dive. The forum has long provided deep technical insight and a first look at new data, and this year is no exception! Recon Africa will give an update on their activities in the Kavango Basin. ExxonMobil will provide a technical overview of the southern Mozambique margin ahead of their drilling campaign next year. Shell will give an update on the Eastern Gulf of Guinea ahead of the much-anticipated frontier test at Jaca, with Total providing an overview of the source to sink facies prediction along the Ivory Coast-Ghana Basin where they are currently testing their models at Barracuda-1. The University of Manchester continue their excellent research on the NW Africa margin, and the conference will close with a geographically focused session where the latest research from academia is provided alongside insights from operators Eni and Cairn energy on lessons learnt and future activity.

You can view the full virtual programme here. We look forward to welcoming you to the conference in September!