French oil major, TotalEnergies, has announced a fresh hydrocarbon discovery offshore the Republic of the Congo, reinforcing its footprint in Africa’s oil and gas sector.
The discovery was made by TotalEnergies EP Congo, a subsidiary of the French energy giant, following the drilling of the MHNM-6 NFW exploration well on the Moho licence.
The well targeted the Moho G structure and confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in commercially viable quantities.
According to press statement from the company, the well encountered a hydrocarbon column of approximately 160 metres within high-quality Albian reservoirs.
Extensive data acquisition and sampling were also conducted to support subsurface interpretation and future development plans.
Commenting on the discovery, Nicola Mavilla, Senior Vice-President for Exploration at TotalEnergies, noted that the location of the find provides a strategic advantage for development.
“This new discovery on the Moho licence benefits from its proximity to existing production infrastructure, allowing a short-cycle, cost-effective tie-back development,” Mavilla said.
“By leveraging our technical expertise and existing infrastructure, we are creating the conditions for future value-accretive production for the company,” he added.
The Moho G discovery, together with earlier findings on the nearby Moho F structure, is estimated to hold recoverable resources of nearly 100 million barrels. These discoveries are expected to be developed through a tie-back to existing Moho facilities.
TotalEnergies EP Congo operates the Moho licence with a 63.5 per cent stake. Other partners include Trident Energy, which holds 21.5 per cent, and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), with 15 per cent.
The collaboration reflects a broader partnership between international and national oil companies to maximise Congo’s offshore energy potential.
Production capacity and field location
The Moho field is located approximately 80 kilometres off the coast of Pointe-Noire, the country’s energy hub. It is a deep offshore development and remains one of Congo’s most important producing assets.
Existing production facilities at the site include two floating production units, Alima and Likouf, which enable current output of around 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Production at the field received a major boost in 2017 with the launch of the Moho Nord project, further strengthening the country’s offshore production capacity.
Strategic implications for Africa’s energy sector
The latest discovery shows Congo’s growing relevance in Africa’s oil and gas landscape and highlights continued investment in offshore exploration across the continent. It also aligns with broader industry trends, where energy companies are prioritising deepwater assets to sustain global supply.
The development comes shortly after TotalEnergies concluded the merger of its UK North Sea upstream business with NEO NEXT, forming what it described as the largest independent oil and gas producer in the United Kingdom.
As global demand for hydrocarbons persists, the Moho discovery is expected to support Congo’s economic outlook while reinforcing TotalEnergies’ long-term exploration and production strategy in Africa.
