Africa's total natural gas production in 2022 was 8,294.79 billion cubic feet, an increase of 3.43% over 2021. The largest gas producing countries in Africa are Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria. Through 2030, annual gas production is expected to decline by a CAGR of 4.2 percent to 5,626.9 billion cubic feet.
In 2022, Algeria had the highest natural gas production at 2881.48 billion cubic feet, followed by Egypt at 2702.62 billion cubic feet and Nigeria at 1016.3 billion cubic feet. Here are the top 10 natural gas fields in Africa by production in 2022, according to GlobalData's Oil & Gas, Upstream Fields database.
1. Zohr
Zohr is located in the Mediterranean Sea, in 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 2,610.59 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 23.42% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2030. Peak production will be approximately 3,136 mmcfd 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 total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 13,648 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
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 3,015 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 84.01% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 1999. Peak production was approximately 7,577.55 mmcfd 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 total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 14,019 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
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 1,080.75 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 74.04% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2014. The peak production was approximately 1,915.7 mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2056. The field currently accounts for about 4.76% of total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 3,800 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
4. Nooros
Nooros is located in the Nile Delta, Egypt. This natural gas field is owned by BP (25.00%), Eni (75.00%) and operated by Petrobel. The field produced 1,058.19 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 32.42% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2020. Peak production was approximately 1,200 mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2070. The field currently accounts for about 4.66% of total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 5,573 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
5. Alba
Alba is located in the 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 1,002.6 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 69.75% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2013. Peak production was approximately 1,786.48 mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2049. The field currently accounts for about 4.41% of total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 3,504 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
6. West Nile Delta
The West Nile Delta is located in the Mediterranean Sea in 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 999.34 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 23.95% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves. The field is expected to reach its peak production in 2021. Peak production is approximately 1,000 mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2049. The field currently accounts for about 4.4% of total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 4,122 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
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 889.2 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 36.24% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2021. Peak production was approximately 935.99 mmcfd 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 total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 3,093 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
8. Western Libya Gas Project (Wafa and Bahr Essalam)
The 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 765.41 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 67.3% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2015. Peak production was approximately 1,142.75 mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2054. The field currently accounts for about 3.37% of total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 2,788 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
9. Arrar
Alrar is located in Illizi, Algeria. This natural gas field is owned by Sonatrach (100.00%) and operated by Sonatrach. The field produced 724.23 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 77.91% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2019. Peak production was approximately 872.28 mmcfd 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 total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 2,229 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
10. Tinrhert Project
The Tinrhert project is located in Illizi, Algeria. This natural gas field is owned by Sonatrach (100.00%) and operated by Sonatrach. The field produced 684.85 mmcfd in 2022 and recovered 10.86% of its total recoverable natural gas reserves, with peak production in 2028. Peak production will be approximately 905.83 mmcfd of natural gas. Based on GlobalData's estimates, production will continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2055. The field currently accounts for approximately 3.02% of total daily natural gas production in Africa and is expected to recover 6,105 billion cubic feet of natural gas.