CONGO-K Oil ministry great, Tony Chermani, thrown off balance

摘要

Tony Chermani, the deputy chief of staff for the acting minister of hydrocarbons, has been treading on eggshells since mid-May. The geologist, who for the past few years has covered all major negotiations with oil and gas firms, was able to have the acting ministry of hydrocarbons John Kwet Mwan Kwet sign off a six month extension on block 3 for Dig Oil and Efora Energy. With the previous and second extension expiring in March, the block operator Total had decided to pull out of the asset altogether (see p.2). Chermani is understood to have also tried to secure extensions for several other permits, even though these are capped under the provisions of the country’s hydrocarbons code. There has been considerable pressure for the acting minister to show Chermani the door.