Vaalco is looking to expand in West Africa
Vaalco eyes West African opportunities
The independent US explorer has expanded in Gabon and is looking elsewhere in the region
Houston-based independent Vaalco sees growing opportunity in West Africa as the oil majors trim their portfolios, chief executive George Maxwell tells Petroleum Economist. Vaalco recently almost doubled its stake in Gabon’s Etame field to 58.8pc by acquiring the interest of its former partner, South African energy and petrochemicals company Sasol. That acquisition took the company “to the next level”, Maxwell says, as Etame serves as a stable, secure and cash-generative base for further expansion. Vaalco CEO George Maxwell The firm is “looking to find highly accretive opportunities” for further growth, Maxwell says, with interest “prima
Also in this section
11 March 2026
De la Rey Venter, CEO of LNG player MidOcean Energy, discusses strategy, project developments and the prospects for the LNG market
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
