Franco-British oil and gas producer Perenco has completed the installation of a new offshore production platform off the coast of the Republic of Congo, marking a US$200 million investment aimed at revitalising output from one of the country’s mature oil fields.
The Kombi 2 platform was installed at the Kombi-Likalala-Libondo II (KLL) field, a long-standing offshore asset where no new wells had been drilled for more than 20 years, the company said. Built in Europe and transported to Congolese waters, the platform is designed to enable new drilling activity while improving processing efficiency and gas recovery at the field.
The project reflects a broader strategy by Perenco to extend the productive life of mature assets through targeted investments and improved infrastructure, at a time when Congo is seeking to raise its overall oil and gas output.
Kombi 2 is designed to enhance the handling of produced fluids, particularly water and effluents, and to increase the recovery and use of associated gas generated during oil production. According to Perenco, better gas recovery will allow the platform to support offshore operations while reducing flaring and improving energy efficiency.
The platform is equipped with two gas turbines providing a combined power capacity of up to eight megawatts, sufficient to supply electricity to offshore installations in the area. It is also configured to drill new wells directly from the platform, eliminating the need to install additional offshore structures and reducing development costs.
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Perenco said six new wells are planned as part of the development phase. Connection work between the new platform and existing offshore infrastructure is currently under way, with production start-up scheduled for early March 2026.
“This project is a concrete example of Perenco’s commitment to investing in high-performance, responsible and value-creating infrastructure that promotes the sustainable development of national resources,” said Grégoire de Courcelles, managing director of Perenco’s Congolese subsidiary. He praised the teams involved for delivering the project after years of limited activity at the field.
The installation of Kombi 2 comes as the Republic of Congo seeks to reverse declining production from ageing offshore fields and position itself for higher output over the medium term. Oil remains the backbone of the country’s economy, accounting for the bulk of export revenues and a significant share of government income.
According to information reported by Agence Ecofin in June 2025, Congo is targeting oil and gas production of around 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2030. Achieving that goal will require sustained investment in both existing fields and new developments, as well as improvements in infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
Several international operators active in Congo are supporting these ambitions. Perenco, one of the country’s largest producers, has said it aims to raise its output to around 100,000 barrels per day through incremental investments and optimisation of existing assets.
Italy’s Eni is also playing a central role in Congo’s energy strategy through the Congo LNG project, which is developing the country’s gas resources for export. The project relies on floating liquefied natural gas units installed offshore, allowing Congo to monetise gas reserves that were previously underdeveloped or flared.
Alongside upstream investments, Congolese authorities are working to modernise the legal and regulatory framework governing the hydrocarbons sector. A new gas code is being prepared to establish a regulatory regime specific to gas exploration, production and development, separate from existing oil legislation. The draft law has been reviewed by parliament but is still awaiting formal adoption.
Industry observers say clearer and more specialised regulations could help attract additional investment, particularly in gas projects, while supporting the country’s longer-term energy transition objectives.
For Perenco, the Kombi 2 platform underscores the company’s focus on extending the life of mature offshore fields through capital-intensive upgrades rather than large-scale greenfield developments. In a sector facing increasing scrutiny over costs, emissions and returns, such projects are seen as a way to maximise value from existing resources while aligning with host countries’ production goals.
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As production from Kombi 2 comes on stream in the coming weeks, the project is expected to contribute incrementally to Congo’s output, reinforcing the role of mature offshore assets in sustaining the country’s oil and gas sector.
