Israeli Billionaire Finds 3b Barrels of Oil in Congo
An oil company owned by Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler said on Thursday it had discovered around 3 billion barrels of oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an amount similar to the proven reserves of oil producers Britain and South Sudan. The crude was discovered around Lake Albert on Congo's eastern border with Uganda, Oil of DRCongo said in a statement. An analysis of seismic survey data "indicates around 3 billion barrels of oil in place", it said, although it was not yet clear what portion was recoverable.
Congo's World Cup Viewers Turn off Lights to Keep TVs On
In a bid to keep television sets on for the full 90 minutes, World Cup viewers in Democratic Republic of Congo are being told ahead of each match in Brazil to turn off their lights and refrain from turning on electric cookers. Even though Congo's national side did not qualify for the tournament, football fans across the nation of 65 million crowd around TV sets for each match, putting the country's creaking power grid under intense strain. "We know the technical constraints of our energy system mean that our supply cannot meet demand…
Congo Unveils Tender For Exploitation Of Methane Gas
Democratic Republic of Congo's oil ministry has called for bids to exploit reserves of methane gas at the bottom of Lake Kivu on its eastern border with Rwanda, the prime minister's office said on Friday. The office announced the tender on its twitter account but did not give details. An oil ministry official said the tender process had not yet begun but added that Congo needed the gas to help meet its energy deficit. "It is very important that we exploit this gas…
Congo Oil Campaign Generates Death Threats
Two employees of WWF have received death threats in Democratic Republic of Congo because of the conservation group's opposition to plans by British company Soco International to search for oil in a national park, WWF said. Soco's plans have drawn criticism from the British government and from environmentalists who fear they could damage Virunga National Park, the oldest and most bio-diverse in Africa. Emmanuel De Merode, the park's Belgian director who was also publicly critical of Soco's plans, was shot and seriously wounded last month by unknown gunmen.
Soco to Begin Seismic Testing in Virunga Park
British oil company Soco International will start seismic tests this weekend in Democratic Republic of Congo's Lake Edward, an executive said on Wednesday, despite campaigners' attempts to block exploration in a world heritage site. Conservation group WWF has called on Soco to withdraw from its blocks in UNESCO-protected Virunga national park, saying oil exploration is incompatible with world heritage status and would damage the most bio-diverse park in Africa.
