Under the patronage of H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power will once again take place in Dakar, Senegal, with the event serving as a catalyst for investment and multi-sector development in 2022.
Taking place between September 1 and 2 in Dakar, the second edition of the region’s premier energy event represents the best platform for the exchange of topical information on the energy sector and current marketplace.
Representing the region’s official energy event, the conference will host ministries and high-level officials from across the region. Overall, the summit serves as the only event dedicated to energy development in Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry, demonstrating ECP’s long-standing commitment towards attracting investment in one of Africa’s most exciting regions.
The event organizer, Energy Capital & Power (ECP), in partnership with Petrosen, the Business Council of Renewable Energies of Senegal, and COS-Petrogaz expressed their delight and pride in announcing the return of the esteemed MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference and exhibition.
“MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power is the sole energy conference dedicated to the entire MSGBC region. During the 2022 edition, delegates can expect a strong line-up of industry-focused panel discussions, innovative networking experiences, technical and strategic sessions, as well as investor-matching functions that all serve to position the region as a globally competitive energy market.
“Backed by sizeable oil, gas and renewables reserves, modernized legislature, and strong regional relationships, the region is set to experience unprecedented energy and economic growth, with MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 further enhancing this trend. By attending and participating in the conference, energy stakeholders from all over the world can be a part of the region’s energy revolution,” states Kelly-Ann Mealia, ECP chairperson.
The event is also being promoted in partnership with Senegal’s national oil company, Petrosen, the Business Council of Renewable Energies of Senegal, and COS-Petrogaz, ushering in a new era of growth for the region.
Support and participation of regional ministers has positioned the conference as the most suitable platform for energy stakeholders to engage and sign deals, a trend which will only continue in 2022. In addition to high level executives, the 2022 agenda and topic program will be relevant to all stakeholders across the value chain. Delegates can also expect a range of technical and strategic sessions, lunch conversations, investor match-making functions, as well as live on-stage interviews with energy professionals.
Touching on topics ranging from energy sector financing, regional cooperation in energy development, and promoting cross-border synergies, MSGBC energy industry youth, women in energy, and the latest developments in exploration and new licensing round opportunities, among others, the conference will focus on ensuring that natural resource development continues to translate into long-term economic and sustainable regional growth.
The MSGBC region is unique in the sense that it boasts of significant resources across multiple sectors. On the oil and gas front, the region is considered to be in the early stages of a hydrocarbon boom, having hosted a succession of world-class discoveries, such as the cross-border GTA field and the Sangomar oil field. Other notable discoveries include the BP-operated Yakaar-Teranga and BirAllah discoveries offshore Senegal and Mauritania, which have been appraised to contain up to a combined 85 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Additionally, the Bambo-1 well offshore The Gambia, operated by oil and gas exploration company FAR, is expected to contain a prospect of 1.1 billion barrels of oil; while in Guinea-Bissau, the Sinapa oil discovery, also operated by FAR, features contingent resources of an estimated 72 million barrels of recoverable light oil.
While independent explorers have been highly successful in revealing the potential of the basin, regional leaders remain focused on ensuring that world-class discoveries translate into sustainable developments.
Speaking during the 2021 edition of the event, H.E. President Macky Sall stated that “a few days after the end of COP26, I must also draw the attention to the decision taken by certain countries to stop foreign financing to fossil fuels, including the gas sector, even as the use of other more polluting energy sources continues. At a time when several African countries are preparing to exploit their significant gas resources, the end of funding for the gas sector, under the pretext that gas is a fossil energy source, would bear fatal cost to our emerging economies.”
Identified regional prospects have the potential to transform both the region and the continent at large, ushering in a new wave of development and accelerated socioeconomic growth. Covering an area of 600,000km2, extending from the Cap Blanc Fracture Zone, offshore northern Mauritania, to the Guinea Fracture Zone, situated off the coast of Sierra Leone, these discoveries have resulted in the region becoming a hotspot for development, placing it near the top of the list as one of Africa’s most exciting opportunities for exploration and development.
“The central part of our efforts in Sangomar is structured around our great drilling campaign. The Ocean Black Rhino FPSO, operated by Diamond Offshore, is drilling away as we speak on what is one of the largest drilling campaigns in the world today,” stated Andy Demetriou, Managing Director for Woodside Senegal.
In addition to oil and gas, the region is considered to be one of the richest regarding renewables resources and human capital, while offering lucrative associated sector opportunities such as forestry, agriculture, and mining.
Large-scale projects such as the 450MW Souapiti hydropower station in Guinea Conakry and the 158MW Taiba N’diaye Wind Farm in Senegal emphasize the renewable potential of the region. And while stakeholders move to diversify the energy mix and enhance green investment, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 seeks to enhance this trend.
By utilizing its significant natural and human capital resources, the MSGBC region is poised to drive itself towards a new era of energy sector growth, while striving towards a fair and just energy transition.
According to Massaer Cisse, BP’s VP and Head of Country for Senegal, “natural gas has a key role to play in the energy transition as well as in the power generation ambitions of our country, particularly within our gas-to-power strategy.”
Following the 2021 edition of the conference and exhibition, which endeavoured to increase investment across the entire energy value chain and in sectors ranging from hydrocarbons, renewables, infrastructure, and power generation, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 will present regional ministers, high-level delegates, and top-tier energy business leaders with the opportunity to sign deals for regional development within the basin. Covering the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, the event aims to empower capacity building and motivate a transfer of skills and technology to the region.
“While we have to be able to adapt and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the climate injustice that we are facing today makes us believe that we must do our best to turn towards social justice, otherwise, we will run the risk of destabilizing the world,” stated H.E. Aïssatou Sophie Gladima, Minister of Petroleum and Energies for Senegal, concluding that, “the world needs to work hand-in-hand to grow, develop, and to be stable.”
During the 2022 edition, speakers and delegates will gain knowledge, exchange ideas, develop strategies, and benefit from critical insight offered by industry peers on topical issues surrounding the energy sector. MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 appeals to a diverse audience and will be instrumental in the region’s energy and economic future.
