BW Energy has confirmed that its Bourdon oil discovery offshore Gabon holds approximately 25 million barrels of recoverable oil, describing it as the “best fluid quality” find within the prolific Dussafu license area.
The announcement follows an earlier press release in March 2025, signed by the company’s CFO, Brice Morlot, which disclosed the significant offshore Bourdon discovery.
To accelerate development, BW Energy plans to utilize a converted jack-up rig for the Bourdon field, a strategy it says will help fast-track production and save cost.
Outside of the Bourdon field, the company is also assessing multiple new exploration prospects within the Dussafu license, indicating the firm’ commitment to expand its resource base and boost overall production capacity in the region.
The Bourdon discovery concludes BW Energy’s recent drilling campaign in the Dussafu area, which has now delivered eight new production wells and four commercially viable oil finds.
This includes wells tied to the producing Tortue field.
Gabon’s upstream oil sector is awakening following recent political instability.
BW Energy and other international oil companies resumed operations after a military coup overthrew President Ali Bongo in August 2023.
The coup, led by General Brice Nguema, ended the Bongo family’s 50-year rule, which was characterised by corruption and mismanagement.
President Nguema has vowed to revitalize Gabon’s vital oil industry, which accounts for a significant portion of national GDP and revenue.
With proven reserves exceeding 2 billion barrels—excluding the recent Bourdon find—Gabon ranks among Africa’s top 10 oil producers and is also an active member of OPEC.
Further boosting its energy profile, Gabon is set to commission its first LNG export terminal, the Cap Lopez LNG project, by 2026. The development is being led by Perenco.
In a statement last November, Minister of Petroleum Marcel Abeke revealed Gabon’s focus on fast-tracking short-cycle developments and optimizing mature assets.
The goal, he said, is to bring new discoveries online quickly and at reduced cost while attracting fresh investment.
As part of its strategic overhaul, state-owned Gabon Oil Company (GOC) acquired Tullow Oil’s entire portfolio in the country for $300 million in March 2025.
