(3 minutes read)
- H.E. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was received on August 22 in Congo-Brazzaville by H.E. Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons
- They together kicked off a three-day working visit aimed at boosting regional and global energy cooperation with the Central African producer. This is OPEC’s first-ever state visit to Congo-Brazzaville
- The visit was organized by the African Energy Chamber and was attended, among others, by Energy Capital Power
H.E. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was received on August 22 in Congo-Brazzaville by H.E. Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons. They together kicked off a three-day working visit aimed at boosting regional and global energy cooperation with the Central African producer. This is OPEC’s first-ever state visit to Congo-Brazzaville. The visit was organized by the African Energy Chamber and was attended, among others, by Energy Capital Power.
The visiting dignitaries expressed their enthusiasm toward strengthening relations between OPEC and Congo-Brazzaville. Congo-Brazzaville joined the OPEC in June 2018. Congo-Brazzaville has a burgeoning energy sector. In recent years, the country has doubled efforts to boost its petroleum industry via enhanced private sector participation and foreign direct investment. Between 2015-19, the country launched licensing rounds with 28 blocks on offer, awarding licenses to leading IOCs including Total, Perenco, Lukoil and Eni.
As sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest crude oil producer with 2.9 billion barrels of proven reserves, the country is seeking to catalyze broad-based, socioeconomic growth through the development of its oil and gas industry. The Secretary General’s presence in the country underscores growing interest from international stakeholders to engage with the country’s hydrocarbons sector and foster joint energy cooperation.
