Deputy Minister of Gas at the People’s Power Ministry of Hydrocarbons of Venezuela, Luis González, will lead a high-level Venezuelan delegation to the upcoming Congo Energy & Investment Forum. He will be joined by Deputy Minister of Petroleum, Paula Henao, and General Director of the GECF Governorate or Venezuela, Carlos Álvarez, to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries, explore investment opportunities and engage in high-level discussions on the future of the sector.
The deepening energy ties between Venezuela and the Republic of Congo come at a time when both nations are focused on expanding their oil and gas cooperation. Following a key meeting on February 13, 2025, between Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua and Venezuela’s Ambassador to Congo, Laura Evangelia Suarez, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to building partnerships in the hydrocarbons sector. This builds on prior agreements signed during the first session of the Joint Commission in 2023, which included memoranda of understanding in hydrocarbons, among other sectors. These ongoing discussions highlight the growing economic ties and shared interests in fostering energy development across both nations and the broader African continent.
The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.
Congo’s oil and gas sector remains a key destination for global investment, offering significant opportunities in exploration and production. With vast untapped reserves – particularly in deepwater fields – a competitive fiscal regime and an upcoming licensing round set to launch at CEIF 2025, the country presents a compelling market for foreign investors, including Venezuelan exploration and service companies. The government’s commitment to expanding energy infrastructure and attracting international capital for joint ventures creates promising opportunities for collaboration, particularly in exploration and gas-to-power development.
“With significant joint venture opportunities now being actively explored, both Venezuela and Congo are poised to strengthen their positions in the global energy landscape. By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, the two nations can drive mutually beneficial partnerships in exploration, production and gas-to-power initiatives, fostering long-term energy security and economic growth,” said Sandra Jeque, Event & Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.
