OPEC Chief Visits Oil-Rich Congo For The First Time

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in African News August 23, 2021

OPEC Chief Mohammad Barkindo arrived in Congo late Sunday in the first-ever visit by the head of the powerful cartel. He visits the oil-rich African country where crude constitutes the primary source of income, according to the Congolese hydrocarbons ministry.

‘’Congo has an essential role to play in the global energy industry and OPEC plans to encourage it,’’ Barkindo said in a statement published by the ministry.

The secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will stay his visit until Wednesday.

During this visit, he will meet various government officials, including Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso. He will also meet with President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

In addition to that, the OPEC Chief will visit an oil platform off the coast near Pointe-Noire, Congo’s economic capital.

Hydrocarbons minister in Congo, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua welcomed Barkindo as he arrived at Brazzaville airport.

Congo joined OPEC in 2018. The country is the fourth-biggest oil producer south of the Sahara, behind Nigeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.

Congo is estimated to have proven reserves of some 2.9 billion barrels of oil and it has a daily output of 336,000 barrels.

French group TotalEnergies accounts for just over two-thirds of overall output. The company saw its contract for operating the Djeno terminal renewed last year for a further 20 years.

Italian group ENI and US rival Chevron are also present in the country.

Brazzaville set up the publically-owned group National Society of petroleum of Congo (SNPC) in 1998. The city is also home to the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization.

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