An uptick in offshore drilling discoveries is driving more exploration activity in Africa and the Middle East, causing expenditures to increase, according to a GBI Research report.

New discoveries and pipelines in two inland African countries bring promise of more production and a chance to export crude into international markets.

Nigeria’s aspiration to further monetize its huge natural gas resources through the construction of a GTL plant is again not materializing as quickly as the country and its partners in the GTL project expected.

Nigeria needs new oil deposits and is looking at other areas to increase its oil reserves.

Experts say there is potentially up to 600 Tcf of gas to still be found in the country.