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DRC
ENI and TotalEnergies circle as Gertler's former blocks go on sale

The DRC government is keen to offload some its oil portfolio and has issued a tender call for blocks 1 and 2 in the north-east of the country, which were operated for a decade by Dan Gertler's firms, Caprikat and Foxwhelp. [...]

Published on 29/07/2022 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 2 minutes

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DRC
DRC's Tshisekedi delays decision on who will take over Gertler's former oil blocks

The Congolese president is keen to delay the selection process for new operators of oil blocks 1 and 2 on Lake Albert, where majors including TotalEnergies had previously positioned themselves, with junior companies now also in the running.

Subscribers only Energy 14.11.2023

DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, at Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, the 4 September 2022.

DRC
Kinshasa sways between Uganda and Sudan to export its oil

The Congolese authorities are exploring the possibility of exporting the crude extracted from blocks 1 and 2 in the Graben Albertine area through a pipeline across Sudan.

Subscribers only Energy 01.02.2023

DRC
TotalEnergies and ENI dash Lake Albert hopes with their apathy

The Congolese part of the lake might never be explored because the few oil sector players with the means to do so seem singularly unenthused. Mindful of security concerns, they failed to respond to a tender put out in July.

Subscribers only Energy 15.12.2022

DRC
UN, Houston and Washington on Tshisekedi's US agenda

Expected next week in New York for the annual United [...]

Subscribers only Energy, Politics 16.09.2022

Spotlight | DRC
Cloak and daggers in the highest echelons of the Congolese state

President Tshisekedi's strategic adviser Vidiye Tshimanga has been secretly caught on film meeting two fake investors on several occasions. Parts of these recordings have been made public and they cast an unflattering light on the practices, and also the tensions, within the president's office.

Subscribers only Politics 16.09.2022

In Focus | DRC
Rabbi Moyal in last-ditch attempt at mediation between Dan Gertler and Félix Tshisekedi

Rabbi-businessman Avraham Moyal has become Dan Gertler's envoy to the Congolese authorities, as the Israeli mining magnate, who was all-powerful under Joseph Kabila, struggles with US sanctions. As he waits to be rehabilitated as the DRC's honorary consul in Israel, Gertler has surrounded himself with ultra-orthodox figures in preparation for his latest reconciliation with the Tshisekedi regime.

Subscribers only Politics 22.08.2022

Rabbi Avraham Moyal (left), Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Pastor Paul-David Olangi (right) in March 2021 in Kinshasa.

DRC
Dan Gertler made a secret trip to meet Félix Tshisekedi before Antony Blinken's arrival

Breaking news published on 11/08/22 at 18:05 - Less than 24 hours before the arrival in the DRC of the head of US diplomacy Antony Blinken, Dan Gertler visited Kinshasa. With great discretion, Washington is preparing files for possible sanctions targeting advisers of President Tshisekedi involved in the agreement with the Israeli billionaire.

Subscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 11.08.2022

Spotlight | DRC
Strong-arm tactics over Dan Gertler's blocks 1 & 2

The attempt by hydrocarbons minister Didier Budimbu to block a vital deal with Israeli billionaire seemingly led to him being questioned by the intelligence services for 24 hours, despite his good standing with Félix Tshisekedi.

Subscribers only Energy 21.04.2022

Spotlight | DRC
Deal within deal allows tycoon Dan Gertler to save €130m in DRC settlement

The Congolese authorities signed a second, more restricted and secretive agreement with Dan Gertler last month, in addition to the major settlement negotiated in February. Africa Intelligence is able to detail the contents of this new deal, which concerns the oil assets previously run by the businessman.

Subscribers only Energy 06.04.2022

DRC
Oil minister makes incognito visit to Paris to sound out Total on blocks 1 & 2

President Tshisekedi wants to quickly find investors for the most promising permits in the DRC. While his minister of hydrocarbons Didier Budimbu is scoping the field, the game is still on.

Subscribers only Energy 13.07.2021

Didier Budimbu, the new hydrocarbons minister.

Spotlight | DRC
Why is Dan Gertler transferring his oil assets to new firms?

The Israeli diamond dealer is trying to counter the effects of US sanctions on his Congolese companies and is hoping to get a new extension on his oil permits.

Subscribers only Energy 04.05.2021