Chariot, the Africa focused transitional energy company, has entered into a partnership agreement with Vivo Energy with the objective of creating a midstream joint venture that will oversee the distribution of natural gas to industrial customers in Morocco. Vivo Energy, the market-leading, pan-African retailer and distributor of high-quality fuels and lubricants has a long-standing presence in Morocco’s petroleum products’ sector, operating a network of over 400 service stations and supplying commercial and industrial customers across a number of sectors in the Kingdom.
The objectives of the partnership will be to:
Implement a gas-to-industry business in Morocco through the development of marketing and commercialization of natural gas to industrial customers;
Establish a jointly owned special purpose vehicle for the purchase, transportation and distribution of natural gas to end-users; and
Put in place a long-term gas sales agreement for a portion of the future gas production from the Anchois development project.
Adonis Pouroulis, Chariot CEO, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Vivo Energy, a company which has an extensive footprint in Morocco and the African continent, to develop and deliver a long-term supply of natural gas across the rapidly growing industrial sector in country.
“Morocco’s significant industrial gas demand, which this partnership will supply into, further supports the commercial viability of the Anchois project. This agreement confirms the priority given by Chariot to the Moroccan energy market, expands upon our other existing sales negotiations around future offtakes for the gas from the Anchois gas field and sets out a collaborative partnership with one of the continent’s leading energy distributors, as we continue to develop this high margin low risk asset.”
Stan Mittelman, Vivo Energy CEO, commented: “We are very pleased to be entering into this partnership. We will work closely with Chariot to jointly leverage our position in Morocco, giving us the opportunity to offer a cleaner and more competitive source of energy for our industrial customers.
“Further development of the country’s mid and downstream infrastructure will also facilitate the distribution and increased use of this important domestic resource over the longer term as the industrial gas markets continue to mature. We are confident that the development of the Anchois field, combined with the advancement of Morocco’s gas market, will further accelerate the country’s industrial roadmap towards becoming a less carbon intensive economy, and supporting its export strategy.”
Pierre Raillard, Chariot Morocco Managing Director, commented: “Partnering with Vivo Energy to deliver this gas to industry creates additional scope for the future production from Anchois. A key part of our strategy in Morocco is to promote energy self-sufficiency and be a catalyst for growth and we are very pleased to be working together to deliver this important domestic resource directly into the country’s gas-hungry industrial sector.”
Peyami Oven, Vivo Energy Maroc MD, commented: “This partnership is central to support industrials’ transition to a lower carbon source of energy. Development of a gas-to-industry market will enable our existing and potential customers to have access to an abundant and cost competitive source of domestic gas. Together with Chariot, our partnership is built on strong expertise and a deep knowledge of the Moroccan market and the latest gas technologies. This makes us well positioned to offer best in class and fit for purpose energy solutions to a large spectrum of industries in Morocco.”
