Poised for E&P growth

New oil and gas exploration and production activity in east Africa – from Sudan to Mozambique – signals a slow, but resurgent interest in the region, reports Paul Hueper from Dar es Salaam

EAST AFRICA has attracted oil explorers since the turn of the last century. But, so far, the region's oil and gas resource potential has paled in comparison to that of west Africa. However, evidence that there are sizeable hydrocarbons accumulations in east Africa continues to mount. With complex geology, dominated by the East Africa Rift system, the search for oil and gas in east Africa has been difficult—especially during the region's peak exploration period, between 1950 and 1985. Technological advances, however, may help to unlock the region's potential. The East African Rift is an extensive system of faults that extends for about 3,500 km, stretching from the Red Sea to Mozambique. Alth