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Congo Resource Reserves (2026)

1980

2021

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration · Updated June 2026

1980

2021

What to know

As of 2021, the Congo's reserves were dominated by crude oil: 2.882 billion barrels of proved reserves. It also held 10.03 trillion cubic feet of gas. Over the last decade, oil reserves grew significantly (+44%).

Key reserves

Oil reserves (2021)

2.88 B bbl

Natural gas reserves (2021)

10.03 TCF

Key terms

Proved reserves: — Quantities of crude oil or natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.
Recoverable reserves: — Coal that can be technically and economically extracted with current mining methods at current prices. Excludes inaccessible deposits.
Billion barrels (B bbl): — Unit for oil reserves. One barrel equals 42 US gallons or about 159 litres.
Trillion cubic feet (TCF): — Unit for natural gas reserves. One TCF is roughly 28.3 billion cubic metres.
Million short tons (M ST): — Unit for coal reserves. One short ton equals 2,000 lb or 907 kg.

Crude oil proved reserves

In 2021, the Congo had 2.882 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves. Over the prior decade, those reserves grew significantly (+44%).

Natural gas proved reserves

In 2021, the Congo held 10.03 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves. Reserves grew significantly over the prior decade (+33%).

The bottom line

The Congo was a meaningful holder of crude oil reserves, which anchored its position in global energy markets. Reserve estimates had been revised upward over the past decade, reflecting new discoveries or improved recovery technology.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration · Updated June 2026

What to know

As of 2021, the Congo's reserves were dominated by crude oil: 2.882 billion barrels of proved reserves. It also held 10.03 trillion cubic feet of gas. Over the last decade, oil reserves grew significantly (+44%).

Key reserves

Oil reserves (2021)

2.88 B bbl

Natural gas reserves (2021)

10.03 TCF

Key terms

Proved reserves: — Quantities of crude oil or natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.
Recoverable reserves: — Coal that can be technically and economically extracted with current mining methods at current prices. Excludes inaccessible deposits.
Billion barrels (B bbl): — Unit for oil reserves. One barrel equals 42 US gallons or about 159 litres.
Trillion cubic feet (TCF): — Unit for natural gas reserves. One TCF is roughly 28.3 billion cubic metres.
Million short tons (M ST): — Unit for coal reserves. One short ton equals 2,000 lb or 907 kg.

Crude oil proved reserves

In 2021, the Congo had 2.882 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves. Over the prior decade, those reserves grew significantly (+44%).

Natural gas proved reserves

In 2021, the Congo held 10.03 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves. Reserves grew significantly over the prior decade (+33%).

The bottom line

The Congo was a meaningful holder of crude oil reserves, which anchored its position in global energy markets. Reserve estimates had been revised upward over the past decade, reflecting new discoveries or improved recovery technology.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Gabon

What to know

Key reserves

Crude oil proved reserves

Natural gas proved reserves

The bottom line

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Gabon

What to know

Key reserves

Crude oil proved reserves

Natural gas proved reserves

The bottom line