Overview
The landlocked west African republic of Niger has abundant reserves of uranium and it is this mineral resource upon which the country’s economy depends. However, it is also actively promoting its upstream oil potential. Geological research has shown potential oil fields in the country’s eastern region in the area where oil fields have been discovered in neighbouring Chad. The international oil companies, Exxon, TG World Energy Inc, and Hunt Oil are currently engaged in exploration activity in Niger.
Its downstream oil industry is wholly dependent on refined petroleum products imported via the port of Cotonou in neighbouring Benin and from the refineries in Nigeria.
The Niger oil industry is regulated by its Ministry of Mines and Energy through the state oil company, Sonidep, which has responsibility for representing the government in all dealings concerning petroleum resources in the country.