TotalEnergies SE continues to strengthen its deepwater footprint in the Republic of Congo, announcing a significant new hydrocarbon discovery within its Moho license. This latest find, dubbed Moho G, builds on a strategic approach centered on leveraging existing infrastructure to accelerate development and optimize capital efficiency, a key focus for investors scrutinizing major energy companies.
The MHNM-6 NFW exploration well, targeting the Moho G structure, encountered a substantial hydrocarbon column of approximately 160 meters (524.93 feet) within high-quality Albian reservoirs. Extensive data acquisition and sampling campaigns followed the discovery, providing critical insights to inform subsurface interpretation and guide future development plans. This methodical approach underscores TotalEnergies’ commitment to de-risking and maximizing the value of its exploration efforts.
Crucially, the Moho G discovery, when combined with the previously identified Moho F structure, represents estimated recoverable resources nearing 100 million barrels. For investors, the immediate upside lies in the development strategy: both discoveries are slated for a cost-effective tie-back to the existing Moho facilities. This approach significantly reduces the lead time to production and capital expenditure, thereby enhancing potential returns on investment.
“The Moho G discovery, together with the discovery previously made on the nearby Moho F structure, represents recoverable resources estimated at close to 100 million barrels, which are planned to be developed as a tie-back to the existing Moho facilities,” a statement from the French energy major confirmed. Nicola Mavilla, TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice President for Exploration, further emphasized this strategic advantage: “This new discovery on the Moho license benefits from its proximity to existing production infrastructure, allowing a short-cycle, cost-effective tie-back development.” This highlights a disciplined investment strategy focused on quick monetization of new finds.
The Moho license is already a cornerstone of TotalEnergies’ West African operations, currently delivering approximately 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (gross) through its Alima and Likouf floating production units (FPUs). The integration of Moho G and F resources into this established production hub offers a clear path to incremental output without the need for entirely new, costly standalone developments. Such operational synergies are highly attractive to investors seeking stable and efficient oil production growth.
TotalEnergies EP Congo holds a substantial 63.5 percent operating interest in the Moho license, solidifying its leadership position in the venture. TotalEnergies directly controls 85 percent of TotalEnergies EP Congo, with QatarEnergy holding the remaining 15 percent. Other key partners in the Moho license include Trident Energy, holding a 21.5 percent stake, and the national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), with 15 percent. This diverse partnership structure reflects a collaborative approach to resource development and risk sharing.
Beyond the Moho license, TotalEnergies EP Congo manages a broader portfolio in the Republic of Congo, operating the Sendji and Yanga fields with 55.25 percent stakes. The company also holds a 26.75 percent interest in the Lianzi field, situated within the offshore unitization area shared by the Republic of Congo (Haute Mer permit) and Angola (Block 14K). This diversified asset base underscores TotalEnergies’ long-term commitment and strategic depth in the region, providing multiple avenues for sustained hydrocarbon production and cash flow generation for shareholders.
Further solidifying its future growth prospects, TotalEnergies recently secured the Nzombo exploration permit. Awarded last year, this promising block lies approximately 100 kilometers (62.14 miles) off the coast of Pointe-Noire, strategically positioned near the existing Moho production facilities. The block spans a significant 1,000 square kilometers (386.1 square miles), presenting ample exploration potential.
In a press release issued in September 2025 regarding the award, Kevin McLachlan, then Senior Vice President for Exploration at TotalEnergies, articulated the rationale: “This award of a promising exploration permit, with the material Nzombo prospect, reflects our continued strategy of expanding our exploration portfolio with high-impact prospects, which can be developed leveraging our existing facilities, and confirms our longstanding partnership with the Republic of the Congo.” This statement directly aligns with the company’s capital allocation strategy, prioritizing assets that offer significant potential while benefiting from existing infrastructure.
TotalEnergies’ annual report, released in March 2026, confirmed that one well has since been drilled in the Nzombo block, indicating active progress on this new exploration frontier. The ownership structure for the Nzombo permit sees TotalEnergies as the operator with a 50 percent stake, maintaining a leading role in its development. QatarEnergy holds a substantial 35 percent interest, reinforcing its strategic alliance with TotalEnergies in the region, while SNPC retains a 15 percent share. This renewed partnership structure in Nzombo signals confidence in the block’s potential and ensures alignment with national energy objectives.
For investors, TotalEnergies’ recent activities in the Republic of Congo paint a clear picture of a company executing a focused, disciplined exploration and development strategy. By prioritizing discoveries that can be rapidly and economically integrated into existing production systems, TotalEnergies aims to enhance its reserve base and maintain robust cash flow generation from its deepwater operations. The strategic acquisition of high-impact exploration acreage like Nzombo, coupled with established partnerships, positions the company for sustained value creation in a key African hydrocarbon province, making it a compelling consideration for those tracking global oil and gas investment opportunities.
