Global energy giant TotalEnergies has announced a significant offshore hydrocarbon discovery at the Moho permit, off the coast of Congo Brazzaville.
The breakthrough marks a major milestone for the nation as it aims to scale production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the near term.
The discovery, located on the Moho G structure, is part of ongoing operations led by TotalEnergies, which serves as the block operator with a 63.5% stake, in partnership with the National Petroleum Company of the Congo (SNPC) and Trident Energy. This find strengthens the Moho complex, a cornerstone of Congo’s national oil output.
Preliminary analyses indicate a hydrocarbon column of approximately 160 meters within high-quality reservoirs. When combined with the previous Moho F discovery, estimated recoverable resources could reach up to 100 billion barrels, cementing Congo’s status as a mature producer with high growth potential.
A key strategic advantage of this discovery is its proximity to existing infrastructure, specifically Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units. This proximity will allow for fast-track development and optimised operational costs. The current capacity of these facilities is estimated at approximately 90,000 bpd.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has lauded the discovery, highlighting the role of Congolese authorities in fostering a pro-investment climate. The AEC specifically credited Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Richard Itoua and SNPC Director General Raoul Ominga for their leadership.
For TotalEnergies, the find aligns with an exploration strategy focused on infrastructure-led value creation. The group has already committed over $500 million to the Moho Nord development, signaling a long-term commitment to increasing its production footprint in the country.
“Congo is demonstrating that an approach based on infrastructure, partnerships, and regulatory stability can generate significant value,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
The discovery comes amid a broader surge in the Congolese energy sector. Perenco is developing the Kombi 2 platform to bolster onshore production and Eni is accelerating the Congo LNG project, which has now reached a capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum.
These developments confirm Congo’s rising influence on the African energy stage, driven by a strategy focused on asset optimisation and the attraction of major international investment.
TE/Sf/lb/as/APA