Mauritania’s energy ministry signed two production-sharing contracts on Tuesday with the US company Murphy Oil for the offshore blocks C10 and Tiof, Reuters reported, citing a ministry statement. The ministry said the signing gives a “decisive boost” to restarting offshore exploration.
The energy minister said geological data on both blocks already exist and that Murphy’s arrival would bring “a new vision” to the potential that has yet to be discovered, Mauritania’s news agency AMI reported. These are exploration and production contracts, not an announcement of new output. Reuters said Murphy and Chariot Oil had applied in July for access to three offshore blocks, citing an energy-industry official. Murphy did not immediately respond to a request for information.
Mauritania and neighbouring Senegal want to develop large offshore gas resources, including the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project run by BP and Kosmos Energy, to export liquefied natural gas. In July, Mauritania awarded Saudi developer ACWA Power a 25-year concession to build a 230-megawatt gas-fired power station.