Madagascar: IOCs return following elections

International oil companies (IOCs) have needed little convincing to return following presidential and parliamentary elections, President Héry Rajaonarimampianina told African Energy in Brussels on 3 April. Following a second round of elections in January, “IOCs immediately returned… we didn’t need to contact them”, he said. In return, the new government “committed to providing security”, so that IOCs who have suspended work, declaring force majeure as the political situation deteriorated, “can resume their activities”. ExxonMobil and Sterling Energy are expected to resume offshore exploration; their licences, under force majeure, were extended in November 2013, and they have since been preparing for a return. BG Group has said it hopes to resume drilling.