RNS COULD DROP ANYTIME !5 Apr 2026 14:22
As of 5 April 2026, the situation is in a "final waiting room" phase following the high-level meetings in March. While the presidential and prime ministerial support has moved the file to the finish line, the physical "wet signature" from the Ministry of Mines (MINMIDT) remains pending.
1. The Ministerial Meeting & "Wet Signature"
Instruction vs. Execution: You are correct that it has been roughly three weeks since the 16 March 2026 update, where the Prime Minister’s office confirmed it was convening a meeting with MINMIDT and SNH to finalize the approvals.
The Wait: In Cameroon's administration, a "Presidential instruction" to expedite does not bypass the need for a formal inter-ministerial sign-off meeting. While the President and Prime Minister have "chased it up," the written confirmation that triggers the Prime Global Energies farm-out funds ($15M) has not yet been officially announced via RNS.
Next Milestone: The market is waiting for an RNS titled "Confirmation of License Extension and Farm-out Approval," which will signal that the ministerial rubber stamp is finally dry.
2. Rig AIS Tracking: Admarine 501
The rig is physically ready and essentially "idling" near the border, waiting for the green light from Tower.
Status: At Anchor / Standby.
Coordinates: As of early April, the Admarine 501 is located in the Gulf of Guinea, having completed its firm campaign in Nigeria.
Operational Path: Once the farm-out cash is released by the signature, Tower can pay the mobilization fees to ADES to tow the rig to the Thali block.
3. The "Early" Potential
Because the rig is already in the region and the President has intervened, the timeline could compress rapidly IF the signature arrives this week:
Lead Times: Major service contracts have three-month call-off periods. If funded in April, a July/August spud (start of Q3) is highly realistic.
First Oil: Success at NJOM-3 would lead to an Early Production System (EPS), with JA targeting first oil within roughly 12 months of a successful well test.