The Gabon Oil Company (GOC) has acquired Assala Energy, the second largest oil exploration and production company in Gabon, from the US pension fund Carlyle. The acquisition, announced in November 2023, took place in two phases, starting with the signing of the purchase contract between Gabon Oil Company and Carlyle guaranteed by a deposit of about CFA123bn (US$200m), to then proceed with the payment of CFA513bn (US$840m) and CFA12bn (US$20m) in customs duties.
Assala's assets produced 40.7 kb/d in 2023 from 6 fields: namely Gamba/Ivinga, Toucan/Robin, Koula/Damier, Bende/M'Bassu/Totou, Atora, and Rabi-Kounga, the largest one, with a 32.9% stake acquired from Total Gabon in 2018. In mid 2024, its production was estimated at 52 kb/d.
Gabon is the fourth largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, with proven gas reserves reach 26 bcm and oil reserves 2 000 mbl at the end of 2023.