Africa's risk outlook

Journal article

Africa is a strategic component of the global energy system, but a number of above-ground risks are likely to impact the region’s future outlook. Other authors in this issue have outlined in detail the geological potential and exploration context for African hydrocarbon resources, and the region is set to receive billions of dollars in investment in the coming years. However, for many of these African reserves to be monetised, operators will need to manage new above-ground challenges. Whereas just a decade ago, ‘risk’ mainly centred on political stability and economic uncertainty, companies now face surface and regulatory risk issues that are necessary to secure a ‘social licence’ to operate. Operators’ ability to manage these largely non-technical, socioeconomic risks will be critical to the pace of resource development in Africa. This article looks at the varying and evolving risk landscape in Africa.

Authors: Enfield, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
• Journal: Oxford Energy Forum
• Volume: 90
• Pages: 4-7
• Publication date: 2012-11-01
• Edition: Publisher's version
• ISSN: 0959-7727
• Language: English
• Keywords: OIES