The central African nation of Congo is known for its mineral riches. Now the country is looking to expand the oil drilling that so far has taken place only in its far west and off its Atlantic coastline. (AP video: Nqobile Ntshangase/Sebabatso Mosamo)
Why is Congo offering 30 oil and gas blocks for auction?
(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) MOANDA, Congo (AP) — The central African nation of Congo is offering 30 oil and gas blocks around the country for auction. It’s a prospect that concerns environmentalists and some of the people who live near the drilling that has so far been limited to a small area near its far western border on the Atlantic Ocean.
How many barrels of oil are there in Congo?
The government said the 27 oil blocks available have an estimated 22 billion barrels. Environmental groups say that auctioning more land to drill would have consequences both in Congo and abroad.
Does Congo have oil reserves?
(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) Congo, a mineral-rich nation in central Africa, is thought to have significant oil reserves, too. Drilling has so far been confined to a small territory on the Atlantic Ocean and offshore, but that’s expected to change if the government successfully auctions 30 oil and gas blocks spread around the country.