Gabon is laying the groundwork for a new phase of growth, with recent upstream momentum being fueled by the Bourdon discovery in the offshore Dussafu License in March 2025, alongside production increases led by Perenco, BW Energy and VAALCO Energy. The government aims to boost national output to 200,000 bpd, unlocking additional value from both mature fields and frontier acreage.
A central focus is Gabon’s underexplored deepwater acreage, which remains largely untapped despite significant geological potential. The Ministry of Petroleum has launched a concerted push to attract new entrants, particularly independent and mid-cap operators, through flexible PSC terms, streamlined permitting, and data accessibility. As noted by Minister Nguema Nguema in recent statements, Gabon’s deepwater drive forms a critical part of its strategy to remain competitive in a shifting global energy landscape.
At the same time, Gabon is placing greater emphasis on natural gas development through its Gas Master Plan, which aims to strengthen domestic infrastructure and diversify energy exports. A major highlight is the $983 million investment recently committed by Perenco and GOC in a new LNG facility in Port-Gentil – a flagship project aimed at reducing flaring, boosting gas monetization and supporting clean fuel markets.
This builds on Perenco’s existing $2 billion investment in the Cap Lopez LNG terminal, which will deploy a FLNG vessel and is expected to begin production in 2026. Broader efforts are also underway to scale gas use in power generation and industry, reinforcing Gabon’s commitment to energy security and sustainable growth.
“Through robust policy reform, improved transparency and strong leadership from institutions like GOC, the country is laying the foundation for long-term investment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
