Gabon has signed an agreement protocol with Nigerian energy infrastructure company Oilserv, to develop and commercialise hydrocarbon reserves in Gabon’s DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks. The agreement also covers gas transportation, compression, and treatment infrastructure, intended to support thermal power generation and industrial activity in the country.
The protocol was signed by Minister of Petroleum and Gas, Clotaire Kondja, on behalf of the Gabonese state, and by Oilserv’s Chairman and Group Chief Executive, Emeka Okwuosa. It establishes a framework for developing the two blocks rather than a specific investment figure, though coverage of the deal has cited a USD 2.12 billion projection for the size of Gabon’s energy market by 2031.
The agreement extends Oilserv beyond its traditional role as a pipeline and infrastructure contractor. Founded by Okwuosa in 1995, the company has grown into one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous engineering and construction firms, most recently completing the 303 km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, a central project in Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” programme, in mid-2026. The Gabon deal, signed roughly two months later, positions Oilserv as a developer and infrastructure partner in its own right rather than solely a contractor.
For Gabon, the agreement fits into a broader push to reverse a decline in oil production while advancing gas monetisation. The government signed exploration agreements with BP and ExxonMobil in late 2025 targeting largely unexplored territory, while state oil company Assala Energy has been developing marginal fields, including a planned start-up at the N’Gongui field. Gas monetisation is a specific policy priority for Gabon, with the Cap Lopez floating LNG project, its flagship initiative, targeting 700,000 tonnes a year.
Oilserv said the agreement reinforces its position as “a trusted African energy infrastructure and solutions partner,” citing “decades of proven experience in delivering complex energy infrastructure” and “deep understanding of Africa’s energy landscape.”
Gabon has approximately 26 bcm (1 tcf) of proven natural gas reserves, ranking 10th among African countries.
source: theenergyyear.com