Congo awards Lake Kivu fuel blocks to U.S. and Canadian producers

KINSHASA, Jan 16 (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo has awarded licences to 3 pure fuel blocks in Lake Kivu on its jap border, with some manufacturing anticipated to begin as early as subsequent yr, the hydrocarbons ministry mentioned on Monday.

The Makelele block was awarded to RED, a neighborhood subsidiary of United States-based Symbion Energy, the ministry mentioned. The Idjwi block went to a different U.S. firm, Winds Exploration and Manufacturing LLC. The Lwandjofu block was gained by Canada-based Alfajiri Power.

The manufacturing sharing contracts shall be signed inside 15 days, hydrocarbons minister Didier Budimbu advised Reuters. He mentioned he hoped the Symbion Energy block would start producing in 2024.

Congo is hoping to emulate neighbouring Rwanda and use huge quantities of methane beneath the lake to generate electrical energy that can be utilized to fireplace fertilizer and cement manufacturing. It may be used for family cooking.

Symbion Energy’s chief government officer, Paul Hinks, advised Reuters that manufacturing subsequent yr might be potential “if every part goes nicely.”

He mentioned the method required tapping fuel that’s saturated in lake water greater than 400 metres beneath the floor.

The fuel block public sale was a part of a licensing spherical that included 27 onshore oil blocks. Among the oil blocks had been in Congo’s rainforest and peatlands, elevating environmental considerations.

Budimbu mentioned the oil blocks tender was resulting from finish on Jan. 29 however he was contemplating suspending the deadline to permit the allocation of extra blocks.

Reporting by Sonia Rolley; Modifying by Edward McAllister and Bernadette Baum

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