> Français
Oil and Gas
In 1956, 50 years ago, the first commercial quantities of oil were found in West Africa, in the Niger Delta basin of Nigeria. It did not take long before the region became known for holding some of the largest reserves of oil and gas in the world. In the short span of twenty years, Nigeria became Africa’s top oil producer.
During the 1980s and 90s, under the effect of the oil price shocks and ensuing low world prices and significant political transformations (outside and inside Africa), interest in African oil declined.
But the new century has again led to a surge in demand for African oil and gas. All major international energy firms are heavily investing in Africa, wells are being drilled along the entire coast, from Morocco in the North to Namibia in the South as well as in the interior. Production and proven reserves have attained new heights. Currently, several factors are influencing oil production in West Africa: strong world demand, prices at levels not seen in almost thirty years, new technologies in oil and gas exploration and production, etc.
This chapter of the Atlas on Regional Integration will show the current situation of world oil and gas production and the role West African oil and gas is predicted to play over the next decades. It will also highlight some of the future challenges and stakes in the region.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
', 780, 550, 'menubar=no, scrollbars=yes, statusbar=no, resizable=yes')){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}