The Republic of Congo is working to increase oil production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 while accelerating gas exploration and production. The Ministry of Hydrocarbons is also focusing on modernising downstream infrastructure to address energy security. Regulatory reforms, large-scale projects, and sustainability initiatives have attracted international investment, driving forward Congo’s oil and gas sector.
Read also: African Energy Week to unlock $30bn+ in investments from G20 nations
Investment in production expansion
The Congolese subsidiary of China Oil Natural Gas Oversees Holding Ltd (Cogo) is investing $150 million over the next three years to boost oil production in the Conkouati-Koui and Nanga III fields. The company plans to drill four wells—two in each field—and expand the project to include 3D seismic surveys and further data analysis. On October 3, 2024, Fublert Dzimbe, Director General of Cogo’s Congolese subsidiary, presented the company’s activity roadmap to the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua.
TotalEnergies has committed $600 million to strengthen exploration and production in Congo. The funding will support exploration and maintain production in the deep offshore Moho Nord field, which produces approximately 140,000 bpd—half of Congo’s total oil output. The investment is expected to add 40,000 bpd to current production levels of 267,000 bpd.
Trident, an oil and gas company, secured a $300 million financing facility from Afreximbank in 2023 to develop the Mengo-Kundji-Bindi II oilfields. This investment is set to increase production by up to 30% of national crude output while creating job opportunities.
Read also: AfDB approves $31m to boost climate resilience in four African countries
Development of refining capacity
Congolaise de raffinage, a subsidiary of state-owned Société nationale des pétroles du Congo, operates Congo’s only refinery in Pointe-Noire. With a capacity of one million tons per year, the facility processes crude oil into butane gas, gasoline, kerosene, light diesel, and heavy fuel oil. It supplies 70% of the country’s refined energy needs.
To meet rising domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports, the government has begun constructing a new refinery in Fouta, near Pointe-Noire. The Atlantic Petrochemical Refinery is being developed in partnership with Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment and represents an investment of approximately $600 million. The first phase will have a production capacity of 2.5 million tons per year, focusing on high-quality gasoline and diesel. The refinery is expected to begin operations by the end of 2025, improving national energy security.
Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2025
As sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer, Congo presents significant investment opportunities. To attract fresh capital, the government will launch a licensing round at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025, scheduled for March 24-26 in Brazzaville.
The country is also preparing to introduce its Gas Master Plan and a new Gas Code at CEIF 2025. These initiatives will provide a strategic framework for investment in the gas value chain.
