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Gabon is entering a new phase of gas development as it seeks to unlock greater value from its natural gas resources. While the country has long utilised associated gas for domestic power generation and industrial operations, recent investments are shifting the focus towards a more integrated gas economy encompassing LNG exports, LPG production, gas-to-power and industrial gas supply.
Driven by the Government of Gabon, the Gabon Oil Company (GOC) and international operators including Perenco, the country is expanding gas infrastructure to monetise offshore resources more efficiently and reduce flaring. Flagship projects such as the Cap Lopez FLNG development and new gas processing facilities are expected to strengthen Gabon's position as an emerging gas producer in Central Africa while supporting energy security, industrialisation and long-term economic diversification.
GDP
proven gas reserves
gas production
population (2024)
population (2050)
Main Infrastructure Projects
Cap Lopez, Port-Gentil, Ogooué-Maritime Province
2026-01-01
Batanga, Ogooué-Maritime Province
2023-01-01
Mayumba, Nyanga Province
2026-01-01
2026-01-01
Cap Lopez, Port-Gentil, Ogooué-Maritime Province
2023-01-01
Batanga, Ogooué-Maritime Province
2026-01-01
Mayumba, Nyanga Province
Leadership
President of the Republic of Gabon
Minister of Petroleum and Gas
CEO – Gabon Oil Company
Gabon's gas monetisation journey began with the utilisation of associated gas for domestic power generation. Since the mid-2000s, Perenco has invested in offshore gas gathering infrastructure, compression facilities and pipeline networks to capture gas that was previously flared and supply power plants in Libreville and Port-Gentil. Today, this integrated gas network remains the backbone of Gabon's domestic gas market, supporting electricity generation while significantly reducing routine gas flaring.
Building on this foundation, Perenco commissioned the Batanga LPG plant in 2023, strengthening domestic LPG production and improving access to cleaner cooking fuels. The country's gas sector has since entered a new phase with the development of the Cap Lopez FLNG project, Gabon's first LNG export facility. Scheduled to begin production in 2026, the project will monetise offshore associated gas through the production of LNG and LPG, while further reducing flaring and creating new export revenues.
Supported by the Government of Gabon and the Gabon Oil Company (GOC), these investments form part of a broader strategy to develop an integrated gas value chain spanning gas gathering, processing, power generation, LPG production and LNG exports. As additional infrastructure comes online, Gabon is strengthening its position as an emerging gas producer in Central Africa while expanding domestic gas utilisation and supporting long-term economic diversification.
Gabon's gas monetisation journey began with the utilisation of associated gas for domestic power generation. Since the mid-2000s, Perenco has invested in offshore gas gathering infrastructure, compression facilities and pipeline networks to capture gas that was previously flared and supply power plants in Libreville and Port-Gentil. Today, this integrated gas network remains the backbone of Gabon's domestic gas market, supporting electricity generation while significantly reducing routine gas flaring.
Building on this foundation, Perenco commissioned the Batanga LPG plant in 2023, strengthening domestic LPG production and improving access to cleaner cooking fuels. The country's gas sector has since entered a new phase with the development of the Cap Lopez FLNG project, Gabon's first LNG export facility. Scheduled to begin production in 2026, the project will monetise offshore associated gas through the production of LNG and LPG, while further reducing flaring and creating new export revenues.
Supported by the Government of Gabon and the Gabon Oil Company (GOC), these investments form part of a broader strategy to develop an integrated gas value chain spanning gas gathering, processing, power generation, LPG production and LNG exports. As additional infrastructure comes online, Gabon is strengthening its position as an emerging gas producer in Central Africa while expanding domestic gas utilisation and supporting long-term economic diversification.
One of Gabon’s biggest gas-sector challenges is that most of its reserves are associated gas, produced alongside oil and scattered across multiple offshore fields. These small-to-medium accumulations are often flared or reinjected due to the high cost of aggregating and transporting the gas to shore. Unlocking their commercial potential requires a coordinated midstream solution—including significant investment in offshore pipelines and processing infrastructure.
This is where Perenco’s Cap Lopez LNG terminal becomes a game changer. Scheduled for completion by 2026, the project includes the construction of a 500-km, 12-inch offshore pipeline network with three compression stations. It is designed to collect associated gas from various production hubs and transport it to the liquefaction terminal at Cap Lopez. Initially designed to process 700,000 tons of LNG and 25,000 tons of LPG annually, the infrastructure has the potential to serve as a shared evacuation system for other producers in Gabon that currently flare or reinject their gas.
The terminal will not only generate foreign exchange earnings from LNG exports, but also make a meaningful contribution to the domestic LPG market. Combined with output from Perenco’s Batanga LPG plant and the state-owned SOGARA refinery, Gabon will be positioned to end its reliance on LPG imports and may even export surplus volumes to neighbouring markets. This marks a significant shift in the country’s energy balance and opens new regional trade opportunities.
One of Gabon’s biggest gas-sector challenges is that most of its reserves are associated gas, produced alongside oil and scattered across multiple offshore fields. These small-to-medium accumulations are often flared or reinjected due to the high cost of aggregating and transporting the gas to shore. Unlocking their commercial potential requires a coordinated midstream solution—including significant investment in offshore pipelines and processing infrastructure.
This is where Perenco’s Cap Lopez LNG terminal becomes a game changer. Scheduled for completion by 2026, the project includes the construction of a 500-km, 12-inch offshore pipeline network with three compression stations. It is designed to collect associated gas from various production hubs and transport it to the liquefaction terminal at Cap Lopez. Initially designed to process 700,000 tons of LNG and 25,000 tons of LPG annually, the infrastructure has the potential to serve as a shared evacuation system for other producers in Gabon that currently flare or reinject their gas.
The terminal will not only generate foreign exchange earnings from LNG exports, but also make a meaningful contribution to the domestic LPG market. Combined with output from Perenco’s Batanga LPG plant and the state-owned SOGARA refinery, Gabon will be positioned to end its reliance on LPG imports and may even export surplus volumes to neighbouring markets. This marks a significant shift in the country’s energy balance and opens new regional trade opportunities.
The private sector, led by Perenco, continues to drive Gabon's gas monetisation strategy through sustained investments across the gas value chain. Beyond upstream production, the company has developed an integrated network of gas gathering systems, compression facilities, processing plants and LNG infrastructure, transforming associated gas that was once flared into a strategic resource for domestic consumption and exports.
Alongside the Batanga Gas Processing Plant and the Cap Lopez FLNG project, Perenco remains the country's leading supplier of natural gas to power plants in Libreville and Port-Gentil. These assets have played a central role in strengthening Gabon's electricity supply while supporting the government's flaring reduction objectives.
Gabon is also expanding its gas-to-power capacity through new generation projects. The 126 MW Owendo Independent Power Project, developed by Wärtsilä and the Gabon Power Company (GPC), is expected to significantly improve electricity reliability in the Greater Libreville area. In southern Gabon, the Mayumba gas-fired power plant has entered operation, providing cleaner and more reliable electricity while supporting regional economic development.
As the country continues investing in gas infrastructure, processing capacity and power generation, collaboration between the Government of Gabon, the Gabon Oil Company (GOC) and private operators will be essential to unlock additional gas resources, strengthen domestic energy security and establish Gabon as an emerging gas hub in Central Africa.
The private sector, led by Perenco, continues to drive Gabon's gas monetisation strategy through sustained investments across the gas value chain. Beyond upstream production, the company has developed an integrated network of gas gathering systems, compression facilities, processing plants and LNG infrastructure, transforming associated gas that was once flared into a strategic resource for domestic consumption and exports.
Alongside the Batanga Gas Processing Plant and the Cap Lopez FLNG project, Perenco remains the country's leading supplier of natural gas to power plants in Libreville and Port-Gentil. These assets have played a central role in strengthening Gabon's electricity supply while supporting the government's flaring reduction objectives.
Gabon is also expanding its gas-to-power capacity through new generation projects. The 126 MW Owendo Independent Power Project, developed by Wärtsilä and the Gabon Power Company (GPC), is expected to significantly improve electricity reliability in the Greater Libreville area. In southern Gabon, the Mayumba gas-fired power plant has entered operation, providing cleaner and more reliable electricity while supporting regional economic development.
As the country continues investing in gas infrastructure, processing capacity and power generation, collaboration between the Government of Gabon, the Gabon Oil Company (GOC) and private operators will be essential to unlock additional gas resources, strengthen domestic energy security and establish Gabon as an emerging gas hub in Central Africa.
Gabon is entering a new era of gas development as it accelerates investments in gas monetisation and infrastructure. With flagship projects such as the Cap Lopez FLNG development, expanding gas processing capacity and growing gas-to-power initiatives, the country is positioning natural gas as a key driver of industrialisation, energy security and economic diversification. Supported by the Government of Gabon, the Gabon Oil Company (GOC) and international operators such as Perenco, the country is building an integrated gas value chain that reduces flaring while creating new opportunities for LNG exports, LPG production and domestic gas supply. As these projects come online, Gabon is well positioned to strengthen its role as an emerging gas hub in Central Africa and maximise the long-term value of its natural gas resources.
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