Ghana: ECG Restores Services For MMS-Compliant Meters
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has restored services for its MMS-compliant meters following the resolution of a technical challenge that affected electricity credit purchases a few days ago.
Customers can now purchase electricity credits via the ECG Power App, the short code 226#, and approved third-party vendors.
ECG expressed appreciation to customers for their patience and cooperation during the disruption.
Zambia, Zimbabwe Reaffirm Strategic Power Investments To Strengthen Regional Energy Security
The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Minister of Energy and Chairperson of the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Council of Ministers, Mr. Makozo Chikote, has reaffirmed Zambia and Zimbabwe’s commitment to strategic power generation and transmission investments aimed at enhancing energy security, resilience, and regional integration.
Speaking at the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ZRA Council of Ministers held at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote said the two countries were intensifying collaboration on key energy infrastructure projects following climate-induced challenges that have adversely affected hydropower generation at the Kariba Complex.
The Minister identified the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (2,400MW) as a priority bilateral investment, describing it as a transformative project expected to drive industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth in both countries.
He urged the Zambezi River Authority to fast-track implementation by executing project milestones in parallel, in line with directives from the two Heads of State.
Mr. Chikote further underscored the importance of regional transmission infrastructure, highlighting the Zimbabwe–Zambia–Botswana–Namibia (ZIZABONA) Phase I Project, which will provide an alternative power wheeling route between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The project is expected to address existing transmission constraints and enhance power trading under the Southern African Power Pool.
On infrastructure sustainability, the Minister announced continued progress on the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project, noting that plunge pool reshaping was completed in 2024, Spillway Refurbishment Phase I was completed in November 2025, and Phase II works are currently at 30 per cent completion.
He said the rehabilitation programme remains a critical investment to safeguard the long-term structural integrity and operational safety of the Kariba Dam.
In line with Zambia’s energy diversification agenda, Mr. Chikote welcomed support from the African Development Bank, including a US$1 million allocation towards feasibility studies for a floating solar photovoltaic plant on Lake Kariba, noting that the project will complement hydropower generation and strengthen energy resilience in the face of climate variability.
Meanwhile, the incoming Chairperson of the ZRA Council of Ministers and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, Mr. July Moyo, MP, commended the Zambezi River Authority for the prudent management of the shared water resource despite challenging hydrological conditions.
He further praised the strong partnership between Zambia and Zimbabwe, stating that collective planning and cooperation have been central to addressing energy challenges and sustaining power supply in both countries.
Mr. Chikote reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, to deepening bilateral cooperation with Zimbabwe to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy that supports economic growth and regional development.
Zambia has formally handed over the Chairpersonship of the Zambezi River Authority Council of Ministers to Zimbabwe.
Texas Launches $350 Million Nuclear Energy Initiative
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has congratulated the Texas Legislature for passing House Bill 14, saying it will help revolutionize Texas’ energy sector and cement the state’s role in leading a nuclear power renaissance in the United States.
“Texas is the energy capital of the world, and this legislation will position Texas at the forefront of America’s nuclear renaissance,” said Governor Abbott. “By creating the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office and investing $350 million–the largest national commitment–we will jumpstart next-generation nuclear development and deployment.
“This initiative will also strengthen Texas’ nuclear manufacturing capacity, rebuild a domestic fuel cycle supply chain, and train the future nuclear workforce. I look forward to signing it into law.”
The U.S. nuclear power sector is seeing renewed momentum as electricity demand rises, particularly from data centers, alongside policy support for carbon-free generation and growing interest in long-duration, firm power.
Large technology companies are increasingly positioning themselves around nuclear energy through long-term power contracts, development partnerships, and early-stage investments, marking a shift from decades of limited new nuclear deployment.
Microsoft has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy tied to the company’s nuclear generation fleet, as Constellation evaluates the future of assets including the Three Mile Island site in Pennsylvania. Separately, Microsoft is backing nuclear fusion development through its partnership with Helion Energy.
Alphabet has partnered with nuclear startup Kairos Power to support the development of small modular reactor technology, with the aim of sourcing power from future reactors expected to come online in the 2030s. Google has also invested in fusion developer TAE Technologies and early-stage fission company Elemental Power.
Meta Platforms has also signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy for electricity from an existing nuclear reactor in Illinois and has issued a request for proposals seeking 1–4 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity in the United States.
Meanwhile, TerraPower, founded and backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is developing a sodium-cooled fast reactor, with a demonstration project underway in Wyoming.
Oklo, backed by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, is developing small-scale nuclear reactors aimed at supplying power to data centers, with the company targeting initial deployment later this decade, subject to regulatory approval.
South Africa: Severe Weather Hampers Power Restoration Across South Africa – Eskom
South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has reported that severe weather conditions have disrupted its electricity networks nationwide, slowing power restoration efforts.
According to Eskom, the adverse weather has led to a sharp increase in faults across its supply areas countrywide.
While major disruptions in the Eastern Cape have largely been resolved, the KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Free State provinces remain severely affected, the utility said in a statement issued on Sunday.
Eskom explained that its teams are on the ground repairing damaged infrastructure to restore supply to affected communities, including Tzaneen and Mashashane in Limpopo.
The utility noted that the prevailing conditions are placing significant strain on response times, particularly in areas where access is restricted due to flooding, damaged infrastructure, or unsafe terrain.
Despite these challenges, Eskom said its teams are working around the clock to restore electricity supply safely and as quickly as possible.
“We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers during this holiday period,” Eskom said.
“For safety reasons, customers are reminded to always treat electrical networks as live, even when supply appears to be off.”
Ghana: ECG Reports Technical Challenge With MMS-Compliant Meters, Assures Swift Fix
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has reported a technical challenge affecting the purchase of electricity credits for MMS-compliant meters through the ECG Mobile App, short codes, and third-party vendors.
In a statement, ECG assured customers its technical team is working to resolve the issue swiftly.
The company apologized for the inconvenience caused.
Ghana: TOR Confirms Restart Of Crude Oil Processing After Years Of Inactivity
Management of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Ltd. has confirmed the restart of crude oil refining at the facility, as earlier reported by this portal last Sunday, marking a major milestone in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector after several years of inactivity.
The refinery resumed crude oil processing at its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) on Friday, December 19, 2025, and is currently processing approximately 28,000 barrels of crude oil per stream day.
This development comes as welcome news to Ghanaian petroleum consumers and industry stakeholders who had grown increasingly concerned about the refinery’s deteriorating condition over the years.
The restart follows extensive rehabilitation works on the CDU carried out between August 1 and October 30, 2025.
The maintenance programme was executed in line with strict international engineering, safety, and operational standards to ensure the ageing facility meets modern performance benchmarks.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 27, TOR attributed the refinery’s revival to sustained government support and clear policy direction.
The company specifically commended President John Dramani Mahama for his vision, leadership, and commitment to restoring TOR as a critical pillar of Ghana’s energy infrastructure.
It also praised the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, for providing technical oversight and aligning the turnaround process with national energy priorities.
TOR further extended appreciation to its Board of Directors, management team, and entire workforce for their resilience, professionalism, and determination throughout the prolonged period of inactivity.
Management stressed that staff played a central role in preparing the plant for restart and remain committed to sustaining the refinery’s renewed momentum while achieving operational excellence.
The Board and Management also expressed gratitude to stakeholders and the Ghanaian public for their patience, confidence, and continued support throughout the refinery’s long road to recovery.
Nigeria: Newly Appointed NUPRC CEO Assumes Office
Nigeria’s newly appointed petroleum upstream regulator Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has assumed office with a strong commitment to advancing the country’s upstream oil and gas sector in line with the Commission’s mandate as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Speaking at her first town hall meeting with management and staff on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Mrs. Eyesan disclosed plans to position the Commission as a business enabler and to reignite investment in the upstream sector.
She also outlined a firm production ambition aimed at growing Nigeria’s crude oil output and increasing gas production.
“The goal is that we must enable the industry. We are regulators, and we must enable the industry through our interactions with stakeholders and with everyone,” she said.
“My main objective is to ensure that we make a difference. I believe the NUPRC is at the centre of the industry,” she added.
The Commission’s new boss, who has served for over three decades in the oil and gas sector, promised to entrench digitisation, transparency, and efficiency in the Commission’s operations.
The CEO stated that, with the support of staff and management, the NUPRC would become the gold-standard regulator in Africa. She also pledged to prioritise capacity development, strengthen technical expertise, and sustain engagement with stakeholders, unions, and professional bodies.
On her leadership style, Mrs. Eyesan promised an open-door policy and frequent staff engagement, while soliciting the support and cooperation of employees as the industry enters its next phase of transformation.
“If we work together, we can unleash opportunities. I do not see impediments—only opportunities,” she added.
Mrs. Eyesan takes over from Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, who resigned from the position a few days ago after successfully leading the Commission and helping to increase Nigeria’s daily crude oil output.
Zambia: Gov’t Approves Pilot Petrol Bulk Importation To Drive Costs Lower
The Zambian government has approved a pilot programme for the bulk importation of gasoline, popularly known as petrol, to be implemented over a four-month period through a limited bidding process.
The decision was taken by Cabinet during its final meeting for 2025, held on December 23, according to the Chief Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa.
The primary objective of the pilot programme is to lower the average cost of fuel imports by aggregating demand across multiple oil marketing companies, thereby unlocking economies of scale.
According to Mr. Mweetwa, the initiative is expected to provide access to more competitive international purchase prices, improved financing terms, enhanced risk management, and greater operational efficiency.
He added that Cabinet noted the programme is also designed to streamline distribution logistics, improve supply chain efficiency, ensure optimal utilisation of fuel storage depots, and ultimately deliver more affordable fuel to consumers while strengthening national fuel supply security.
OPEC Secretary-General: Does The ‘Fossil Fuel’ Label Require A Rethink?
Precision is fundamental to science. This is particularly the case regarding accurate terminology.
Unfortunately, within the discourse on future energy pathways, there is a widely used term that falls far short of the threshold of precise scientific terminology, namely ‘fossil fuel’ and its applicability as a description of crude oil.
Three factors demonstrate its imprecision.
The first relates to the word ‘fuel.’
Crude oil in and of itself is rarely used directly as a fuel. Rather it is refined into thousands of different products, some of which are fuels, many of which are not. Such oil-derived products are used in almost every economic sector and every stage of daily life.
That is not to downplay oil’s importance as a fuel. However, to define it only as a fuel mischaracterizes how we use it.
According to OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025, the petrochemical industry will be the single largest contributor to global incremental oil demand growth in the period 2024-2050.
The second factor relates to the origin of the term ‘fossil fuel.’
The word ‘fossil’ comes from the Latin, fossilis, meaning obtained by digging. The first recorded use of the term ‘fossil fuel’ was defined in this regard. It came in a 1759 English translation of ‘The Chemical Works of Caspar Neumann’ and was used to distinguish material used for fuels that were dug from beneath the ground from those that came from above the ground like wood and charcoal.
This definition referred to extraction methodology rather than chemical composition. Science has evolved a lot since 1759. Is it appropriate that an outdated eighteenth-century term is used to describe modern energy sources and commodities?
The third factor that shows the term’s imprecision is the important differences between the geological formation of fossils and oil.
Fossilization involves organic matter, buried in sediment, being preserved over geological time, becoming a stony substance.
Oil comes from ancient organic matter, primarily plankton and decaying marine organisms, being buried under layers of sand, silt and rock. Over millions of years, intense heat and pressure from these burial layers cook the matter, transforming it into hydrocarbons, including crude oil.
There is a key difference: fossilization involves organic matter being set in stone and preserved. The formation of oil involves organic matter being cooked and transformed into liquid.
There are those that may argue, even if the term is deficient, as it is popularly used to describe coal, oil and gas, it should just be accepted.
The counterargument to this is on issues regarding climate change, we are constantly told to listen to science. Are generic terms compatible with the rigour of scientific precision? Should they be used, despite their vagueness or ambiguity, in a scientific context or discussions on the world’s energy future?
The reality is that rather than being a term of scientific precision, too often, ‘fossil fuel’ is bandied as a slur, a derogatory way of dismissing energy sources. It feeds into a narrative that some energies are morally superior to others, distorting what should be discussions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions into a misguided debate about replacing energy sources.
The imprecision of the term ‘fossil fuel’ has also given rise to many myths about oil, one of the most common being that oil comes from dinosaur bones. This is clearly not the case.
All this underscores the fact that there are too many misnomers or terms lacking scientific precision in the energy industry.
Rather than present reality, they distort and provoke. For discussions on future energy pathways, it is imperative that we understand what oil is, how it forms and how we use it in daily life. Otherwise, we risk jeopardizing the present in the name of saving the future.
Based on this, is it not time that the world rethinks the appropriateness of the term ‘fossil fuels’?
BP Sells Stake In Motor Oil Arm Castrol For $6bn
BP has struck a $6bn (£4.4bn) deal to sell a majority stake in its motor oil division Castrol to a US investment firm.
The oil giant sold a 65% stake in Castrol, which makes lubricants for cars, motorcycles and industrial vehicles, to New York-based Stonepeak.
The deal valued Castrol at $10.1bn (£7.5bn), with BP receiving $6bn in cash, which it will use to pay down debts and allow it to focus on its core business.
BP will hold onto a 35% stake in Castrol, which it first took control of in 2000.
The London-based oil major said the sale is a “milestone” in its plans to overhaul its business and strip out costs. BP in February announced plans to sell off $20bn (£15bn) worth of assets in a bid to focus on its core crude oil and gas business and strengthen its balance sheet. The company says it is over half way toward meeting its target. It is also shifting its strategy away from investment in green energy and renewing its focus on oil and gas following pressure from some investors who were frustrated that its profits and share price had lagged behind rivals. Rivals Shell and Norwegian company Equinor have also scaled back plans to invest in green energy and US President Donald Trump’s call to “drill baby drill” has encouraged firms to invest in fossil fuels. The Castrol sale comes a week after BP unveiled its first female chief executive, Meg O’Neill, who will take the helm in April 2026. Her surprise appointment came only three months after BP appointed a new chairman, Albert Manifold. And she was handed the top job less than two years after Murray Auchincloss took over from Bernard Looney as chief executive. Wednesday’s deal is the latest in a series of sales by the firm, which included offloading its US onshore wind energy business and its Dutch mobility and convenience arm. Interim chief executive Carol Howle said the sale is a “very good outcome for all stakeholders”. “We are reducing complexity, focusing the downstream on our leading integrated businesses, and accelerating delivery of our plan,” she added. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the deal was “an early Christmas present” for BP shareholders. “The significant proceeds from the transaction will allow BP to make a decent dent in its onerous borrowings pile. It also means it is well on the way to achieving its goal of $20 billion worth of divestments by 2027,” he said. Shares in BP opened higher on Wednesday morning on the news, before giving up most of their gains.Ghana: Goil Plc Commissions New Service Station At Goaso – Mim Road
GOIL Plc, Ghana’s indigenous oil marketing company has officially opened a new service station at Goaso-Mim Road, in the Asunafo North Municipality, further strengthening access to quality fuels in the Upper-Middle Belt Zone.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by traditional leaders, government officials, security agencies, GOIL management, customers, and members of the UMBZ team, led by the zonal manager, Madam Abigail Obiri Osei.
The Guest Speaker, Nana Afia Serwaa, commended GOIL for its impactful work across the country, expressed strong confidence in the GOIL brand, and encouraged both management and the dealer to work together to ensure the long-term success of the station.
With this addition, the Upper-Middle Belt Zone now has 52 GOIL service stations.
The Goaso-Mim Road Service Station will serve Mim, Kukuom, Asuadei, Goaso Zongo, and Nyamebekyere, offering Super XP, Diesel XP, GOIL Lubricants, and lube bay services – delivering Good Energy and quality service to customers in the area
With this addition, the Upper-Middle Belt Zone now has 52 GOIL service stations.
The Goaso-Mim Road Service Station will serve Mim, Kukuom, Asuadei, Goaso Zongo, and Nyamebekyere, offering Super XP, Diesel XP, GOIL Lubricants, and lube bay services – delivering Good Energy and quality service to customers in the area
Algeria: SONATRACH Signs Three Service Contracts With PERTAMINA
Algerian national oil company SONATRACH and PERTAMINA, an Indonesian firm, have signed three service contracts for the lifting of crude oil, condensate, and LPG produced from the Menzel Ledjmet “MLN” perimeter (Block 405a).
The contracts fall within the framework of the Hydrocarbons Contract for the Menzel Ledjmet perimeter and aim to enable partner PERTAMINA to market its products under optimal conditions at Algerian loading ports.
Under the contracts, SONATRACH will provide its services and expertise in the programming, coordination, and monitoring of lifting operations for the quantities of crude oil, condensate, and LPG allocated to PERTAMINA.
The Hydrocarbons Contract for the Menzel Ledjmet perimeter, concluded in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 19-13 governing hydrocarbon activities under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC), entered into force on January 7, 2025, for a duration of twenty-five (25) years.
It brings together, as partners, SONATRACH, PERTAMINA, and REPSOL.
Under these agreements, SONATRACH and PERTAMINA reaffirm the strength of their commercial relations, which span more than twenty-four (24) years of continuous cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector, marked by long-term purchase and sale contracts as well as numerous spot transactions involving Saharan Blend crude oil, condensate, and LPG.
Ghana: GNPC Drives Technology Transfer And Sector Growth At OTC Brasil 2025
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has taken a significant step towards strengthening international partnerships, enhancing technical cooperation, and advancing upstream investment opportunities for Ghana through its participation at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Brasil in Rio de Janeiro.
Building on its successful presence at OTC Houston earlier in the year, GNPC’s engagement in Brazil underscored a deliberate effort to reinforce its long-term operatorship ambitions, explore new collaborations, and strategically position Ghana’s petroleum sector within the dynamic global energy landscape.
GNPC’s participation formed a critical part of its overarching strategy to foster broader international cooperation, build strong technical capacity, and drive sustainable growth across Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
The Corporation’s high-level delegation—led by Board Chairman Professor Joseph Oteng-Adjei, alongside members of the governing board and senior executives including Acting CEO Kwame Ntow Amoah, Deputy Chief Executive (Exploration & Production) Mr. Michael Aryeetey, and other directors—attended the conference at the express invitation of the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP).
The conference brought together over 23,000 participants from 53 countries, serving as a key global platform showcasing cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of deepwater and low-carbon energy development.
A central highlight of the visit was a series of strategic meetings between GNPC and the leadership of Petrobras, Brazil’s national oil company and a global deepwater major.
GNPC’s delegation held two rounds of discussions with Petrobras President and CEO, Ms. Magda Chambriard, and her executive team.
These high-level engagements focused on deepening cooperation in core areas including exploration and production, technology transfer, research and development, and capacity building for Ghanaian technical professionals.
During the discussions, Acting CEO Kwame Ntow Amoah presented a detailed overview of GNPC’s upstream growth strategy, outlining its key subsidiarisation agenda and short-term operational priorities across both onshore and offshore projects.
In response, Petrobras executives expressed strong interest in several partnership opportunities, including collaboration on new green offshore blocks, evaluation of potential farm-in arrangements in existing fields, and joint ventures within Ghana’s onshore Voltaian Basin Project. Additionally, Petrobras confirmed its readiness to share expertise in deepwater technologies and low-carbon exploration methods, demonstrating a proactive approach to the energy transition.
Demonstrating a commitment to concrete next steps, Mr. Aryeetey formally invited Petrobras to visit GNPC’s data room in Accra to review geological and engineering datasets and further explore collaboration opportunities. Petrobras welcomed the invitation and affirmed its readiness to expedite discussions.
Another highlight of the visit was a technical tour of CENPES, Petrobras’ renowned Research and Development Centre. The facility is globally recognised for its breakthroughs in deepwater technology, machine learning applications in reservoir modelling, and environmentally efficient production systems.
During the tour, GNPC executives explored opportunities for technical collaboration in geoscience and basin evaluation, reservoir and wells engineering, subsea and surface technologies, and research support for GNPC’s own Research and Technology Centre.
Importantly, discussions also covered prospects for seconding GNPC engineers and researchers to Brazil for advanced technical training and international exposure—an essential mechanism for effective skills transfer.
Through these engagements, GNPC reaffirmed its strong interest in leveraging Petrobras’ decades of experience to build globally competitive in-house capabilities, aligned with Ghana’s long-term operatorship ambitions.
Petrobras concluded the meetings by accepting GNPC’s invitation to visit Accra early next year, where both parties will continue detailed discussions and proceed with a technical review of GNPC’s data room to evaluate offshore and onshore opportunities.
GNPC’s proactive engagement highlights its readiness to support Petrobras’ potential entry into Ghana’s upstream sector—an initiative expected to deliver substantial mutual value while reinforcing Ghana’s position as a competitive and attractive exploration destination.
Overall, GNPC’s participation at OTC Brasil 2025 underscores the Corporation’s commitment to deepening strategic partnerships, accelerating technology transfer, and positioning Ghana for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive and technologically demanding global energy landscape.
Nigeria Emerges As Top African Crude Oil Exporter To US Market
Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria, has emerged as the leading African exporter of crude oil to the United States between January and August 2025, accounting for more than half of the continent’s total crude exports to the American market, according to data from the US Mission in Nigeria.
The West African nation recently reported that its daily crude oil output has risen to between 1.7 million and 1.83 million barrels, while the number of active drilling rigs increased from 31 in January to 50 in July 2025.
According to a report by PUNCH on Tuesday, citing the US Mission in Nigeria, the country exported 33.23 million barrels of crude oil to the United States during the eight-month period, with shipments valued at approximately $2.57 billion.
In a post on its official X handle, the US Mission in Nigeria said: “Did you know that Nigeria was the leading African exporter of crude oil to the United States between January and August 2025, shipping 33.23 million barrels worth $2.57 billion? That’s more than half of all African crude oil exports to the United States during that period.”
The Mission added that the trade volume underscores the strength of economic relations between Nigeria and the United States, noting that the partnership delivers mutual benefits.
“Our strong trade ties create jobs and drive prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic,” the statement said.
The development comes amid expanding trade relations between the two countries across multiple sectors.