TotalEnergies wins new offshore exploration permit in Congo Republic

French oil major TotalEnergies has been awarded an exploration permit for the Nzombo area off the coast of the Republic of Congo, close to its already operational Moho facilities, it said on Monday.

TotalEnergies said it will operate the asset with a 50 per cent stake, while QatarEnergy will hold a 35 per cent interest and Congo's national oil company SNPC the remainder.

The permit is for a 1,000 square kilometres area located 100 kilometres off the coast of Pointe Noire, and would add to a portfolio of "high-impact prospects", said Kevin McLachlan, TotalEnergies' senior vice-president for exploration.

The work programme includes the drilling of one exploration well, which is expected to begin before the end of 2025, the company said.

TotalEnergies currently produces 65,000 barrels of oil per day in the Republic of Congo, mostly through offshore wells.

SNPC also owns 15 per cent of the Moho production facilities, according to TotalEnergies' website.

(Reporting by Forrest Crellin; Editing by Jan Harvey)