The total natural gas production of Africa in 2022 was 8,294.79bcf an increase of 3.43% when compared to 2021. The largest gas producing countries in Africa are Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria. Through to 2030, annual gas production is forecasted to decrease by a CAGR of 4.2% to reach 5,626.9bcf. GlobalData uses proprietary data and analytics to provide a complete picture of the global oil & gas fields segment. Buy the latest oil & gas fields profiles here.

In 2022, Algeria had the highest natural gas production at 2881.48bcf, followed by Egypt at 2702.62bcf and Nigeria at 1016.3bcf. Here are the 10 largest natural gas fields in Africa by production in 2022, according to GlobalData’s Oil & Gas, Upstream Fields Database.

1. Zohr

Zohr is located in Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. This natural gas field is owned by BP (10.00%), Eni (50.00%), Mubadala Investment Co (10.00%), Rosneft Oil Co (30.00%) and operated by Petrobel. The field produced 2,610.59mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 23.42% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2030. The peak production will be approximately at 3,136mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2046. The field currently accounts for approximately 11.5% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 13,648bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

2. Hassi R’Mel

Hassi R’Mel is located in Laghouat, Algeria. This natural gas field is owned by Sonatrach (100.00%) and operated by Sonatrach. The field produced 3,015mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 84.01% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 1999. The peak production was approximately at 7,577.55mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2046. The field currently accounts for approximately 13.28% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 14,019bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

3. Rhourde Nouss

Rhourde Nouss is located in Illizi, Algeria. This natural gas field is owned by Sonatrach (100.00%) and operated by Sonatrach. The field produced 1,080.75mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 74.04% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2014. The peak production was approximately at 1,915.7mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2056. The field currently accounts for approximately 4.76% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 3,800bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

4. Nooros

Nooros is located in Nile Delta, Egypt. This natural gas field is owned by BP (25.00%), Eni (75.00%) and operated by Petrobel. The field produced 1,058.19mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 32.42% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2020. The peak production was approximately at 1,200mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2070. The field currently accounts for approximately 4.66% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 5,573bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

5. Alba

Alba is located in Gulf of Guinea, Equatorial Guinea. This natural gas field is owned by Chevron (33.00%), GEPetrol (4.00%), Marathon Oil (63.00%) and operated by Alba Equatorial Guinea Partnership. The field produced 1,002.6mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 69.75% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2013. The peak production was approximately at 1,786.48mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2049. The field currently accounts for approximately 4.41% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 3,504bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

6. West Nile Delta

West Nile Delta is located in Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. This natural gas field is owned by BASF (11.56%), BP (82.75%), LetterOne Holdings (5.69%) and operated by BP Egypt Co. The field produced 999.34mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 23.95% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2021. The peak production wias approximately at 1,000mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2049. The field currently accounts for approximately 4.4% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 4,122bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

7. Gbaran Ubie Phase 2

Gbaran Ubie Phase 2 is located in Bayelsa, Nigeria. This natural gas field is owned by Eni (5.00%), NNPC (55.00%), Shell (30.00%), TotalEnergies (10.00%) and operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. The field produced 889.2mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 36.24% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2021. The peak production was approximately at 935.99mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2052. The field currently accounts for approximately 3.92% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 3,093bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

8. Western Libya Gas Project (Wafa and Bahr Essalam)

Western Libya Gas Project (Wafa and Bahr Essalam) is located in Wadi Al-Shatii, Libya. This natural gas field is owned by Eni (50.00%), National Oil (50.00%) and operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas. The field produced 765.41mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 67.3% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2015. The peak production was approximately at 1,142.75mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2054. The field currently accounts for approximately 3.37% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 2,788bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

9. Alrar

Alrar is located in Illizi, Algeria. This natural gas field is owned by Sonatrach (100.00%) and operated by Sonatrach. The field produced 724.23mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 77.91% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2019. The peak production was approximately at 872.28mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2048. The field currently accounts for approximately 3.19% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 2,229bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

10. Tinrhert Project

Tinrhert Project is located in Illizi, Algeria. This natural gas field is owned by Sonatrach (100.00%) and operated by Sonatrach. The field produced 684.85mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 10.86% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2028. The peak production will be approximately at 905.83mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2055. The field currently accounts for approximately 3.02% of the total Africa daily natural gas output and it is expected to recover 6,105bcf of natural gas. Buy the profile here.

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GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying research used to produce this article.  

This information is drawn from GlobalData’s Oil & Gas Intelligence Center, which provides detailed profiles of 34,000+ oil and gas fields, 400,000+ exploration blocks, 1,100+ LNG terminals, 3,400+ gas processing plants, 5,000+ storage terminals, and 8,000+ pipelines, 1,400+ refineries and 13,000+ petrochemical plants worldwide.