Niger has given Chinese oil companies 45 days to meet commitments under a petroleum partnership agreement, warning that it will take “all necessary consequences” if they fail to comply.
The ultimatum centers on the alleged failure to repatriate more than $5 billion in crude export revenues and follows a major well blowout in the Agadem block, according to Africa News.
Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré issued the deadline after an October 13 review of the 45 commitments agreed with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on May 18. The agreement was intended to rebuild relations after a period of tension and included measures on local employment, state participation and oil revenues.
Sangaré accused CNPC of not returning more than $5 billion earned from oil exports since crude shipments began in April 2024, saying that the shortfall had deprived Niger’s state, local banks and wider economy of foreign exchange and financial resources.
Under the May accord, the parties had agreed that export revenues would be repatriated to Niger to strengthen the national economy and domestic financial institutions. The May agreements also cut the export-pipeline transport tariff from $27 to $15 per barrel, which Niamey estimated would save more than $106 million annually, and provided for a 45% state stake in Wapco, the pipeline operator.
The minister said Niger remained open to continued cooperation with China, but only if its partners honored their obligations and protected Nigerien interests.
The ultimatum comes as authorities confront an environmental emergency at the Goumeri W-8 well in the Agadem oil block, about 1,700km east of Niamey. The well, operated by CNPC Niger Petroleum, began erupting crude oil and gas on September 25, with hydrocarbons ejected more than 10 meters into the air.
Oil spread across several hundred metres, the drilling platform was severely damaged, and the integrity of two neighboring wells, Goumeri W-3 and W-4, was compromised. Two workers were hospitalized, although no deaths were reported.
Satellite analysis cited by Ireland’s RTÉ found methane emissions exceeding 40 tons per hour from the facility, with the release still ongoing on October 13. The report said the climate impact could be equivalent to erasing roughly 40% of Ireland’s emissions reductions in the previous year.
Authorities have launched an independent investigation, with support from Algerian experts, to establish the cause and assign responsibility.
