DRC: eight candidate companies for the acquisition and exploitation of three gas blocks in Lake Kivu
The Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons, Didier Budimbu, chaired, on Wednesday October 12, 2022, in Kinshasa, the opening ceremony of the bids received within the framework of the Notice of call for tenders launched on July 28, 2022 by the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, for the acquisition and exploitation of three gas blocks from the Lac. It was at the Pullman hotel in Kinshasa in the presence of national deputies, senators, members of the cabinet and the technical secretariat of the ad-hoc Commission made up of delegates from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, representatives of the Federation of Congolese companies (FEC), heads of oil companies in the DRC and bidders to these offers from the Congolese Government.
A total of eight (8) companies are in competition for the acquisition and exploitation of this gas from Lake Kivu which arouses so much hope not only for the revival of the economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This operation would prevent a natural disaster following the accumulation of gas.
In his word for the occasion, the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Didier Budimbu, considered that the exploitation of the methane gas contained in the waters of Lake Kivu is a security requirement for the Congolese population living in the direct vicinity on the one hand and on the other hand, a response to the energy needs of two provinces, notably North and South Kivu.
“The exploitation of the methane gas contained in the waters of Lake Kivu, which represents a permanent risk of a natural disaster, is a security requirement for the Congolese population living in the direct vicinity on the one hand and on the other hand a response the energy needs of two provinces, notably North and South Kivu. We have planned, from the end of the pre-selection phase for the three gas blocks, to notify as soon as possible the companies that will be pre-selected to come and withdraw the specifications for the submission of their technical and financial offers. “said Minister Didier Budimbu.
Didier Budimbu also indicated that for the selection phase, the ad-hoc Commission in charge of tenders, created within the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, is working diligently to achieve the signing of production contracts by the end of this month of October 2022.
In addition, Minister Didier Budimbu insisted on the transparent nature of this process, which aims to enhance the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo with a view to the economic and social development of the Congolese population.
On this occasion, Didier Budimbu wanted to reassure and thank the companies that have expressed their interest in the three gas blocks offered for sale located in the waters of Lake Kivu.
“ Rest assured that our process remains public, transparent, impartial and competitive with a view to achieving win-win partnerships in the interest of all stakeholders. “, did he declare.
To this end, the Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons encourages companies or consortiums to join the calls for tenders of the 27 oil blocks by expressing their interest, the submission of applications for which continues until the end of January 2023.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is recognized by the diversity of its resources, including oil and gas, which may well allow it to develop harmoniously.
These gas blocks of Lake Kivu, unique in the world for their characteristics and stratification into positive economic zones, contain a total of 66 billion normal cubic meters of methane and 300 billion normal cubic meters of carbon dioxide dissolved in their waters.
The exposure of this resource could bring in several billion US dollars to the Congolese government on the condition of guaranteeing transparency in the acquisition of this gigantic market, underline certain observers.
