The Republic of Congo (ROC) has approved Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo’s (SNPC) proposed Gas Master Plan, which will be officially announced and unveiled at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference in Cape Town this November. The approval marks a pivotal step for the Central African nation, as it looks to unlock its natural gas resources, as well as roll out a new gas code and other sector reforms.
The initiative aims to maximize the Congo’s gas reserves – numbering 10 trillion cubic feet – which have historically been underutilized compared to its oil sector. The plan provides a framework that incentivizes investment in and development of these resources, creating a roadmap to enhanced gas monetization and utilization. By focusing on infrastructure development, such as gas processing plants, pipelines and power generation facilities, the Gas Master Plan seeks to boost domestic energy production and reduce reliance on imported energy, as well as promote local industry and generate employment.
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One of the key components of the plan is to channel more natural gas towards domestic power generation, thereby alleviating the country’s energy deficit and promoting electrification in underserved areas. This would not only support economic growth, but also create a foundation for industrialization and the establishment of diverse local industries like transport, logistics and manufacturing. Another central component is the commercialization of stranded and marginal gas fields and the elimination of gas flaring, as the government plans to amend current fiscal terms to make small-scale gas monetization projects more economically viable. As a result, the shift towards natural gas aligns with global trends towards cleaner energy and flared gas reductions, as well as ROC’s broader energy security targets.
SNPC plays a central role in the Congo’s oil and gas sector and is responsible for maximizing the value of the country’s vast hydrocarbon resources, while ensuring local beneficiation and strong returns for global investors. SNPC operates both independently and in partnership with IOCs, playing a critical role in facilitating joint ventures and managing production-sharing agreements. The company’s mandate includes advancing the nation’s energy infrastructure, promoting the local workforce within the sector, and ensuring that oil and gas revenues support national development goals.
As one of Africa’s leading national oil companies, SNPC has gained recognition for its role in establishing ROC as a competitive oil exporter. The company’s efforts to diversify energy sources through gas-focused initiatives like the Gas Master Plan also demonstrate its broader commitment to sustainable energy development and regional leadership in the African oil and gas industry. In partnership with Italian energy major Eni and Chinese energy company Wing Wah, SNPC has advanced the Congo LNG and Banga Kayo gas monetization projects, respectively, showcasing the country’s ability to attract and support large-scale gas investments.
