GABON – Assala Gabon, a subsidiary of UK-based operator Assala Energy, has announced that it will spend US$24 million to modernize Gabon’s Gamba export infrastructure in the south of the country.
The Gamba export buoy is crucial to the Gabonese economy, as 30% of the country’s crude oil exports passes through it.
The large-scale modernization project provides for the construction, installation and engineering works of a brand new, offshore single point mooring buoy. A full inspection carried out in 2019 revealed that the previous buoy, installed over ten years ago, needed a thorough overhaul.
“Despite the global economic crisis, the uncertainties linked to the price of oil and the current health crisis, we remain very confident in Gabon’s capacity to stay a strong petroleum player in Central Africa,” Daniel Marini, Managing Director of Assala Gabon said.
“This investment also testifies to the concrete progress of our program to modernize key infrastructure, in order to produce Gabonese oil in a clean and sustainable manner.”
Daniel Marini – Managing Director, Assala Gabon
“This investment also testifies to the concrete progress of our program to modernize key infrastructure, in order to produce Gabonese oil in a clean and sustainable manner.”
The new single point mooring buoy is due to be delivered to Port Gentil by the end of October, before being towed on-site in Gamba.
Meanwhile, preparation work is progressing with the installation of new mooring chains and anchoring points on the seabed. The new infrastructure will be operational at the end of the year.
The engineering project requires a complex intervention, relying heavily on the technical know-how and expertise of Assala Energy’s Gabonese workforce, combined with outside support from external consultants.
Assala Energy is an oil and gas, exploration and production company, privately backed by global alternative asset management company, The Carlyle Group. Assala Energy’s business model is to invest in mid-life and mature assets, improving operational efficiency and production levels, while responsibly extending field life cycles.
The company’s geographical focus is on Sub-Saharan Africa, where Assala Energy is committed to contributing to the national and local economies of its host countries, while complying with its international obligations on transparency.
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