Russian Surveyor to Join O&G Search in Africa

Russian state geological surveyor Rosgeologia has signed preliminary deals to help two African nations appraise their oil and gas resources.

At the Russia-Africa forum in Sochi on October 23, Rosgeologia signed an memorandum of understanding with Equatorial Guinea’s mines and hydrocarbons ministry. The pair will conduct airborne geophysical research and 2D and 3D seismic surveys in transit and deep-water offshore zones. They will also work together in processing and interpreting seismic data and carrying out engineering studies.

Rosgeologia took part in exploration work in Equatorial Guinea in the 1970s, decades before the country kick-started its oil and gas industry in the late 1990s.

“Rosgeo’s return to Equatorial Guinea under this co-operation agreement will materially improve our understanding of the country’s subsurface, unlocking new prospectivity and boosting our oil and gas reserves,” hydrocarbons minister Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima said. “It will also be a game changer for our nascent mining industry.”

Rosgeologia also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rwandan mining and hydrocarbon ministry outlining terms for technical co-operation. The pair will work on concluding a contract to set up a research laboratory and explore for hydrocarbons in the Lake Kivu area, Rosgeologia said.